2024 Range Rover Sport SV review – new 626bhp SUV driven
The new Range Rover Sport SV packs a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 and can get from 0-62mph in just 3.8sec – but is it as good as its fast SUV rivals? We've driven it to find out...
Price from £171,460 | On sale Now
This new Range Rover Sport SV's predecessor – the SVR – would have made a good football hooligan. Its V8 engine was loud, its styling outspoken, and the pops and bangs from the exhaust after every gear change were nothing short of outrageous.
For some, that gave it an intoxicating charm and appeal, but for many others it was a bit uncouth – and that’s where the new SV comes in. You can think of it as a grown-up SVR, with all the performance and character but rather more subtlety.
Now, don’t go thinking that subtlety makes the SV boring. Far from it. With more than 620bhp from its V8 heart, this is the most powerful and fastest Range Rover Sport ever made.
What’s more, bespoke suspension, new tech and a course of weight reduction means it should also go round corners better than any other Range Rove, toor.
But how successful has British brand Land Rover been with its latest sports SUV? And is the SV better to drive than rivals, including the Aston Martin DBX707 and the Porsche Cayenne? Let’s find out…
What is the Range Rover Sport SV like to drive?
There’s only one engine available for the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV, but that’s not a bad thing. Indeed, with 626bhp, the potent 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 – which has mild-hybrid tech – provides all the performance you could ever want.
When you plant your foot on the accelerator pedal, you're pinned back into your seat as the SV's automatic gearbox fires through the gears. All the while, you’re bathed in a glorious V8 symphony as you shoot from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds, which is around the same time it takes in the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid to. True, the Urus S is even faster, taking 3.5 seconds, but the heavier Sport SV is impressively close.
Straight-line speed is all well and good, but what’s the SV like on a twisty road? Well, in its stiffest SV mode, the bespoke air suspension hides the Range Rover Sport's considerable weight surprisingly well.
The system removes the need for anti-roll bars and, instead, computers continually monitor the load on each wheel so the suspension can be adjusted accordingly. That improves body control, keeping the SV flat through corners even at high speeds.
The SV is even remarkably capable on a track. Its precise steering gives you plenty of confidence as you head through corners and its neat body control ensures that things rarely get out of shape. We doubt many people will actually take their Range Rover Sport SV to the track, but if that’s your plan we’d suggest adding the optional carbon-ceramic brakes, which do a great job of reliably slowing that mass from speed.
However, while the Sport SV’s handling is impressive, the lighter Aston Martin DBX707 and Urus S are ultimately more capable when you're really going for it, as is the Porsche Cayenne.
The thing is, though, the SV doesn't feel as highly strung as those cars when you're not in the mood. Indeed, select Comfort mode and the SV isn't much less comfortable than a regular Range Rover Sport, soaking up most lumps and bumps well. The only thing you're aware of is a gentle rocking back and forth as you make your way along an uneven stretch of Tarmac.
What you might not expect is that, despite the SV being a sports-focused SUV, it maintains the Land Rover brand’s compulsory off-road ability. In fact, while it’s lower than the standard Sport, it can still go pretty much anywhere that car can.
That’s thanks to two different off-road driving heights and a whole host of driving modes (ranging from mud ruts to sand), which tailor the transmission and differentials for each situation. You even get a wading mode, which closes various exterior vents and allows you to drive in water up to 850mm, just 50mm less than the standard Sport.
What is the Range Rover Sport SV like inside?
The SV in this model's name comes from Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team, so you'd expect it to be, er, special. In truth, if you’ve sat inside the current Range Rover Sport you’ll feel right at home in the SV. Indeed, other than some sportier touches, the basic look of the interior hasn’t really changed at all.
Arguably the most noticeable difference are the new "Body and Soul" front seats. They feature four transducers that are built into the seat and synchronised with the 29-speaker Meridian sound system in order to deepen the audio experience. According to Land Rover the system can lower your heart rate and stress levels while increasing your awareness on long drives.
Outside of the clever tech, the seats themselves are great to sit in for long periods, striking a good balance between long-distance comfort and support during spirited driving.
As for space and practicality, the SV remains the same as the standard Range Rover Sport car. If you want to know more about that and the infotainment system, read our Range Rover Sport review.
2024 Range Rover Sport SV verdict
So, should you buy an SV over a regular Sport – or one of its rivals? Well, the SV is hugely desirable and the way it manages its 2.5-tonne weight around corners is deeply impressive.
Still, it doesn’t handle quite as well on the limit as a DBX707 or a Urus, and while its ride is pretty comfortable, the standard Range Rover Sport is even plusher.
That becomes a problem when you see the price – the Sport SV Edition One (the only trim at launch) will cost you more than twice as much as our favourite version of the Range Rover Sport, the D300 Dynamic SE. For that reason, many will find it hard to justify the extra cost.
What Car? rating 4 stars out of 5
Range Rover Sport SV Edition One price and specs
Price £171,600 Engine 8cyl, 4395cc, turbocharged, petrol Power 626bhp at 6,000-7,000rpm Torque 553lb ft at 1,800-5,855rpm Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 3.8sec Top speed 180mph Official fuel economy 23.6mpg CO2, tax band 271g/km, 37%
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