Range Rover Sport review

The clue is in the name with the Range Rover Sport. If you like the idea of a Range Rover but want a bit more 'Sport' in your SUV, Land Rover hopes this is the car for you.

It’s an alluring recipe. And a clever one too. You see, the Range Rover Sport is based on the same platform as the Range Rover so it benefits from the bigger car’s luxurious interior, class-leading off-road tech and impressive engine line-up.

Engine options range from a fire-breathing 626bhp petrol V8 to a couple of frugal plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) offering a massive electric range of more than 70 miles. And for the first time, Land Rover has put rear-wheel steering on the Sport's options list.

The Range Rover Sport has all that in a package that's more compact, more nimble and arguably more usable than the longer, taller Range Rover. So what’s the catch? Well, the biggest drawback is that the Sport is only available with five seats. But then again, has the lack of a seven-seat version of the Porsche Cayenne hurt that model's sales? We think not.

Speaking of rivals, while the Range Rover Sport is quite a bit cheaper than its larger stablemate, it's significantly more expensive than the entry-level versions of the Audi Q8, the BMW X5, the Lexus RX and the Cayenne.

So should you buy one? Well, this review will take you through the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself. Then, when you've picked the best model for you, we can help you find the best price if you search our New Car Buying pages.

Most engine options for the Range Rover Sport are 3.0-litre six-cylinder units, including the P400 petrol and the D300 and D350 diesels.

The D300 produces 296bhp and will cover 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds, so even though it’s the slowest accelerating engine in the line-up, it feels strong enough to haul along this heavyweight luxury SUV at speed. The D350 diesel brings the 0-62mph sprint down to 5.9 seconds but we’re not convinced it’s worth the extra outlay.

The P400 is the entry-level petrol option, offering smooth and punchy acceleration (0-62mph takes just 5.7 seconds), but if it’s pace you’re after you’ll be interested in the 4.4-litre V8 in the P635. This is fitted to the flagship performance-focused SV model and can cover the same sprint in just 3.8 seconds, accompanied with a suitably rorty soundtrack. 

There are also two PHEVs – the P460e and a P550e – each with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine and a 31.8kWh (usable capacity) battery. The P460e is our pick of the range and can officially manage 76 miles on electricity alone – 11 miles further than the BMW X5 xDrive50e.

In the real world, expect the range to be similar to the earlier P440e version we tested, managing 50 miles and beating the Lexus RX 450h+ by 20 miles. Performance is effortless, and the more powerful P550e (which has an official electric-only range of 75 miles) doesn't feel a whole lot quicker.

No matter which version you go for, the Sport impresses on the road. The air suspension is a little firmer than on the Range Rover, and you’re a bit more aware of bumps in the road as they pass beneath you, but thanks to tighter control, those obstacles are dealt with quickly, with very little aftershock. There’s less vertical body movement over undulating roads, too.

We’ve sampled the Sport on 22in and 23in alloy wheels, but the ride is likely to be even more supple on the free-to-option 20in ones. All of the Sport’s rivals are less comfortable on big alloys, including the generally smooth X5.

Every Sport feels stable and relatively agile, but despite its name, we’d stop short of calling it athletic. The X5 and the Porsche Cayenne offer more grip and tighter body control, helping them to shrink around you when you start to pick up the pace, while the Sport always feels a little top-heavy.

That said, as long as you’re not going flat out, it's an easy car to drive along a twisty road, mostly thanks to the consistency of its controls. Rear-wheel steering, which is fitted as standard on the P635 and the P550e, helps make the car remarkably agile at low speeds by greatly reducing the turning circle.

The Sport has all rivals beaten when it comes to venturing off the beaten track. All versions are all-wheel drive with a low-ratio gearbox, making it an incredibly capable off-roader.

The Audi Q8's ride height tops out at 254mm, but the Sport’s body stands a lofty 281mm off the ground in its highest setting. It has high approach and departure angles so it doesn't get grounded on steep terrain, and can wade through water that's up to 900mm deep.

There’s some wind noise on a motorway, but the disturbance is limited to a gentle flutter around the door mirrors and front pillars.

There’s also an active noise-cancelling feature that can be added as part of an upgraded sound system. With that fitted, microphones in the wheels monitor exterior noise and speakers in the headrests transmit a frequency that cancels it out.

The D300 and D350 diesels are delightfully silken and quiet, remaining smooth even when pushed hard, but nothing in the range beats the PHEVs in electric mode for refinement.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox is fine at low speeds, but if you want a quick burst of pace, it does feel rather sluggish, certainly when compared to the Cayenne’s snappy auto box. We should also mention that the brake pedal in the PHEV is consistently weighted, making it easy to stop smoothly.

Driving overview

Strengths Punchy performance; smooth engines; cosseting ride comfort; hushed road manners

Weaknesses Not the most agile; automatic gearbox could respond quicker

The Range Rover Sport offers a brilliant driving position. There’s a logical relationship between the placement of the wheel and pedals, and a very wide range of adjustment for the steering wheel and the front seats (which can be heated, ventilated and massaging depending on the spec).

The sitting position is said to be 20mm lower than in the Range Rover in an attempt to offer a more sporty feel. To that end, the windscreen is more steeply raked, the centre console is placed a little higher towards the driver and the steering wheel is slightly smaller. In reality you still feel as though you’re at the helm of a very big, tall luxury SUV.

A 13.7in digital driver display comes as standard, offering crisp and clear graphics and a useful level of customisation to choose what you want to see. It’s just a slight shame the user-friendly physical air-con controls have been removed.

In an attempt to tidy up the dashboard, you now adjust the temperature on the touchscreen, as you would in the BMW X5 and the Lexus RX.

The Sport’s high and commanding driving position is matched by terrific visibility. Even with the seat in its lowest setting, the driver has a crystal-clear view all the way down to the nose of the car. The door mirrors are helpfully big, and a big rear windscreen gives you a great view out of the back.

You get a 360-degree surround-view camera as standard, along with all-round parking sensors.

On Autobiography trim and above, you get a rear-view mirror that, at the flick of a switch, becomes a digital screen showing a view from the back of the car. It lets you see behind you even if the boot is loaded to the roof, and is available as an option lower down the range.

Every Sport gets a 13.1in touchscreen infotainment system that responds swiftly to inputs. Its resolution is impressive, and there are not too many sub-menus to dig through to find a particular function.

Amazon Alexa, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard so you can use your phone apps rather than the Land Rover system.

Even so, it’s a shame you don't get physical buttons or dials to help operate the touchscreen. The rotary dial controller in the X5 gives that car an advantage over touchscreen-only systems because it's much easier to use as you drive.

In terms of quality, the Sport’s interior really impresses. There’s a sturdy, high-quality feel throughout to rival the X5, and most of the materials match the more expensive Range Rover, which is great given the jump in price between the two models.

We love the attention to detail, from the stitching on the leather upholstery to the numerous chrome inlays.

Interior overview

Strengths Great driving position; brilliant visibility; feels plush

Weaknesses Air-con controls are now buried in the touchscreen

As you might expect given its size, the Range Rover Sport provides generous space for long-legged people up front, and there’s plenty of elbow room. While there's fractionally less headroom than in the Range Rover you’d have to be wearing a top hat to notice.

There are two cupholders on the centre console that can be neatly covered by a sliding lid. The two gloveboxes and centre cubby are a good size (a refrigerated version of the cubby is available as an option), although the door pockets are quite slim.

While some of the dimensions are a little smaller than the Range Rover, the distance between the front and rear wheels is the same (and greater than in the 2014-2022 Range Rover Sport).

That means that in the back there’s the same incredibly generous legroom as you’ll find in the Range Rover, but the reduced height of the car, the slightly sloping roofline and the panoramic glass roof mean rear headroom is lessened. It’s far from stingy, though, with even tall adults able to sit up straight with the sunroof fitted and have room to spare.

While the previous-generation Sport was available with seven seats, the latest model is a five-seater only. If you need to fit in more passengers, the pricier Range Rover Long Wheelbase can accommodate, or see our guide to the best seven-seat SUVs.

The back seats recline at the press of a switch to several set positions to help passengers get comfortable and reduce the effect of the lessened rear head room. They also split and fold in a handy 40/20/40 configuration.

Like the driver, the front passenger is treated to 20-way electric seat adjustment (22-way on Autobiography models), including height and lumbar controls. Heated front and rear seats are standard, and a cooling function is available if you pay extra.

The boot is big with no reduction in space if you opt for a PHEV model. We managed to fit in eight carry-on suitcases below the parcel shelf, one less than you’ll fit in both the BMW X5 PHEV and the Lexus RX but still more than enough for a very big shopping trip.

Handily, you can raise and lower the height of the car with the air suspension using two buttons in the wall of the boot, making it easier to load in heavy objects. A powered tailgate is standard, and you can flip up part of the boot floor to make a backrest, allowing you to sit comfortably in the boot with the tailgate open.

Practicality overview

Strengths Spacious for all occupants; reclining rear backrest boosts comfort; useful boot capacity

Weaknesses Nothing major, but some rivals have even bigger boots

There’s no getting around it: the Range Rover Sport is an expensive car, costing a good 10-20% more in the showroom than many like-for-like luxury SUVs.

At the lower end of the line-up, though, it does look quite compelling compared with the much more expensive Range Rover because it offers many of the same qualities for less money. Like all Land Rovers it holds on to its value better than rivals, outperforming the Audi Q8, the BMW X5 and even the Porsche Cayenne.

Fuel economy in the diesels will average around low- to mid-30mpg. The petrol P400 will hover around the mid-20s and the V8 P635 will be even less. With a depleted battery the PHEVs will see fuel economy dip to the mid 20s.

The financial appeal is clearer to see for company car drivers. Thanks to the outstanding official electric range of 75-76 miles, both the plug-in hybrids are placed in the 5% benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax bracket. That’s lower than the 8% band of its rivals (including the X5 and RX450h+).

The PHEV Range Rover Sports have a maximum charging speed of 50kW, so they can go from 0-80% of charge in less than an hour if you can find a quick enough charger, or 0-100% in five hours from a 7kW home charger. The PHEV X5 can charge at a much slower 7.4kW and the Lexus RX 450h+ manages 6.6kW. They both require around five hours for a full charge.

There are three main trim levels to choose from, SE, Dynamic SE and Autobiography. Entry-level SE gets loads of kit, including 21in wheels (which can be swapped for 20in alloys for no cost), keyless entry, two-zone climate control, a plush leather interior, adaptive cruise control and the infotainment system.

Our preferred Dynamic SE adds styling touches to the SE package, including dark grey wheels, black brake calipers, darker interior trim finishers and black roof lining.

Autobiography, meanwhile, comes with a whole host of goodies, such as 22in wheels, heated and ventilated rear seats, upgraded sound system and a sliding panoramic roof, but it is eye-wateringly expensive.

Meanwhile the flagship SV comes with 23in wheels, more aggressive exterior styling and sports front seats.

It’s no secret that Land Rover has a terrible reliability record. It's one of the worst-performing manufacturers in our What Car? Reliability Survey and came 28th out of 32 car makers in the latest, 2023 results.

This new Range Rover Sport is too new to have any reliability data for it yet, but it does come with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty. That’s fairly par for the course and doesn’t come close to the 10-year/100,000-mile warranty you get with the RX, provided you service it at a main dealer.

The Sport was awarded the full five stars for safety by Euro NCAP. That matches the X5 and the Cayenne but it’s impossible to directly compare the three because all were tested in different years. 

Regardless, the Sport scored well in all areas and comes with lots of standard safety equipment, including adaptive cruise control with steering assist, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic emergency braking (AEB).

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Costs overview

Strengths Well-equipped; strong residual values; PHEVs have excellent electric range; low BIK costs

Weaknesses Options can quickly drive up the price; thirsty petrol engines; questionable reliability