The Range Rover Sport since its launch back in the mid-2000s has always been the underdog and the sportier alternative to the full-fat Range Rover. Not anymore. In the 15 years since it first went on sale, the Sport has evolved into a competent luxury off-roader in its own right.

The last model came out nearly 10 years ago and now with this latest third-generation model, Land Rover intends to further that magical recipe, which packs an all-new design, a significantly better interior with bang-up-to-date tech, and new more efficient powertrains. So let’s dive into the feature set of the all-new 2023 Range Rover Sport, the only sporty SUV that packs genuine off-road capability.

2023 Range Rover Sport Performance and Capability


Following up on the debut of the flagship full-size Range Rover last year, the new Range Rover Sport came out earlier this year in May and features Land Rover's flexible (MLA-Flex) architecture, making it 35 percent stiffer than before. It is available across four trims:

• SPORT P360 SE
• SPORT P400 SE DYNAMIC
• SPORT P440e AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PHEV)
• SPORT P530 First Edition (Available for the first year)

As before, you still have several powertrains to choose from. Most of the range features Hybridization and packs an Ingenium twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder with the Launch Edition continuing to offer V-8 power. In the base SE P360, this mill produces 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. With the P400 power goes up to 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.

The third option is a new plug-in hybrid P440e and it pairs the 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine with a 142 horsepower electric motor, for a combined 434 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. A 31.8-kilowatt-hour battery serves as the source of power for the electric motor. You can cover to 48 miles using just electric power.

With the P530 first edition, you get a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 530 horsepower. With the launch control system, it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, which is similar in speed to the previous Range Rover Sport SVR. Even with 24 mpg, it is far more frugal than the outgoing model's V-8. An all-electric Range Rover Sport is also in the works and should debut in 2024.

An eight-speed automatic transmission along with four-wheel drive comes as standard on every new Range Rover Sport. Coming to the dynamics, an upgrade marketed as the Stormer Handling Pack is available and includes an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to increase grip as you blast out of tight bends.

Additionally, it also includes torque vectoring, which can brake the inside wheel and help the Sport accelerate out of tight corners. If you splurge on the V8, rear-wheel steering comes as standard. This system reduces the turning radius by steering the rear wheels up to 7.3 degrees.

To prevent excessive rolling in sharper corners, the new Range Rover Sport has a comparable active anti-roll system to the bigger Range Rover. Unique to the first edition model, it features a 48-volt electronic active anti-roll system.

But one new function, that isn’t available even on the larger Range Rover is the adaptable air suspension. It has many operating modes that employ various air volume quantities to support the weight of the vehicle. Expect a cushier ride with more air in the chamber and vise-versa, i.e a firmer ride with lesser air in the system.

As for the new Sport’s off-road prowess, along with high and low-range modes as part of Land Rover's legendary Terrain Response system, you also get a ton of technically advanced features that make it just as competent off-the-beaten-path as the Range Rover. Additionally, a brand-new optional Adaptive off-road cruise control system ($340) monitors the terrain in real time and adjusts the speed and suspension settings of the vehicle.

Along with the new Wade driving mode, the brand-new Range Rover Sport is capable of traversing 35.5 inches of water, putting it on par with the Land Rover Defender. But if off-roading is something you take seriously, you may want to steer clear of a plug-in hybrid model since it loses out on articulation and has 18 mm less ground clearance compared to the gas-powered models. For those wanting to haul stuff, an Advanced Tow Assist ($450) and Tow Hitch Reciever ($750) are also available.

RELATED: Why the 2023 Range Rover Sport Is the Best Luxurious Off-Road SUV

Exterior Design

Although the new Range Rover Sport at first glance appears to resemble the previous model and its bigger brother, there are several significant changes. Starting up front, the new Grille is much more angular and slimmer than the previous one.

The slim headlights with integrated LED DRL's are significantly less fussy than on the previous model, thanks to their new minimalist design. Depending on the version you choose, you may either have some black trimmings or contrasting copper accents.

The low bumper has a vastly more contemporary appearance than it did previously, and the new vents make it seem sportier than the full-size Range Rover's large square intake. With the new model features flush new door handles with none of the previous Sport model's busy lines and creases.

The new model also ditches the blocky square brake lights for slimmer units. Instead of sitting on the tailgate, the license plate now sits in the rear bumper. You also have proper exhaust pipes on full display here.

Cherry-pick from the vast number of optional extras available, and you can pretty much tailor-make the Range Rover Sport to suit your taste. Be it the contrasting Black Roof ($1,000) or glass, optional visual packs like the Black Exterior Package ($750) which ditches the chrome for Narvik Black exterior trim, you really can take the Sport to the next level to express your personality.

Choose from eight different rim designs to complement your RR Sport. Even the base model comes with 21-inch wheels as standard, while the most expensive design is the 23-inch Diamond Cut Wheels ($2,650) is a pricey upgrade. Overall, with a drag coefficient of just 0.29, the sleek new design perfectly blends dynamism with sportiness.

RELATED: The Worlds Best Super SUVs

Interior Quality & Technology

The new Sport's interior is lightyears better than before. The dashboard draws heavily from the bigger Range Rover, but the steering wheel is entirely new. In essence, this implies that there are several horizontal lines, contrasting trim, with concealed air vents.

You get the most recent Pivi Pro system from JLR which features a 13.1-inch infotainment screen and a 13.7-inch digital drivers display. Over-the-air software updates are also supported. There is a 15-watt wireless phone charging pad as well as wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and support for Amazon Alexa. Furthermore, you can order the Sport with an improved 29-speaker Meridian audio system that has 1,430 watts of power and additional speakers that function as a component of the active noise cancellation system.

As with the exterior, you also have a great degree of freedom with a plethora of options. Choose from three different (Ebony, Light Cloud, Caraway) Windsor Leather interior options. 20-way electric heated and ventilated seats ($300) are also available. A Brushed Aluminum finisher comes as standard, but you can also choose between a Natural Brown Walnut veneer / Natural Black ($410) or an SV Bespoke Satin Forged Carbon ($1,550) option.

You can also take things up a notch by choosing the Premium Upgrade Interior Pack ($2,745. )With this package, you get the SV Bespoke upgraded leather along with SV Bespoke carpets, Illuminated Plates in the door sills, Bright metal pedals, and Premium cabin lighting. If leather is not your thing, you can also choose the Premium Textile Package ($2,745) instead, which gets you a full Non-leather interior.

Also, depending on where you live, you either choose a Cold Climate Pack ($640) which gets you stuff like a heated windshield, heated washer jets, and a heated steering wheel; or a Hot Climate Pack ($1,465) made up of a refrigerator in the center console, four-zone climate control, and Cabin air-purification Pro. The optional Laminated front and rear side glass ($450) is an inexpensive option that will reduce noise and UV rays entering the cabin.

2023 Range Rover Sport Price and Availability

The base model 2023 Range Rover Sport P360 SE retails for $83,000 excluding destination. The top-of-the-line P530 First Edition is available until next year and costs $121,500. You have your usual host of options which includes everything from Rubber Mats ($650) to Side steps Fixed ($1,600) or Deployable ($4,200).

Configure your 2023 Range Rover Sport here.


Safety

As standard, the new Range Rover Sport comes with

• Automatic emergency braking
• Cruise control traffic sign recognition
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane-keeping assist

An optional Technology Package ($1,785) gets you a ClearSight interior rear-view mirror, a domestic plug, and a Head-up Display.

RELATED: 10 Things We Love About The Range Rover Sport PHEV



Main Competition

We all know that it really was the Porsche Cayenne in the early 2000s, that set the ball rolling for the dawn of the performance SUV. And sure enough, Land Rover responded with their very own iteration of a more athletic Range Rover in the form of the Sport. While the segment itself has evolved significantly in the SUV crazy world we live in today, the rivalry between the Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne still holds true today.

While the Sport was never lacking for power, the Cayenne always had an edge over the Land Rover in the dynamics department. But fast forward to today and the gap between the two models isn't too great. Both models also have a vast array of powertrains, including hybrids to choose from, but where the Range Rover Sport still shines is off-road.

But aside from the Porsche, if you're looking at other sporty SUVs, you can also throw in the likes of the BMW X6, Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG, Audi Q8, and the Maserati Levante into the mix. Given the number of options in the segment, clearly, the new Range Rover Sport has a lot to contend with, but if you plan to venture off the beaten path with your shiny new sporty/luxury SUV, look no further than the Range Rover Sport.