The Range Rover Sport has proven to be one of the best-selling luxury SUVs on the market. It offers style, comfort, and unique looks which have won the hearts of buyers all over the world. Since the release of the first-generation Range Rover Sport in 2005 Land Rover has only given the vehicle a complete makeover once. Now, in 2022, it is time for its third iteration which brings many subtle but substantial updates. It is supposed to be the best generation yet with features that even the big Range Rover doesn’t get. Here's why it is arguably one of the best luxurious SUVs on the market.
It’s More Subtle and Elegant on the Outside and Inside
The old model was pretty; however, it had a lot of lines which made it look a bit fussy from some angles. The new Sport is simple from every angle without too much going on design-wise. In our opinion, this gives it a very elegant look. Also, the sleek taillights and big wheels bring it up-to-date and making the older model look a bit dated. It is safe to say that this is a solid design effort from Land Rover.
The dashboard is very similar to the new full-size Range Rover with two elegant screens and high-quality materials. The Sport comes with a unique center console and as you would expect, the interior is less spacious. The front seats can be optioned with 22-way adjustment and massage. In the rear, the passengers sit higher than the old model while also having roughly an inch of additional legroom. The trunk is now able to carry 29.5 cubic feet (835 liters} of luggage which is two cubic feet (55 liters) more than the old Range Rover Sport.
The infotainment system is the same as the one in the larger Range Rover with 13-inch and 14-inch touch screens. There are no analog dials and many of the center console buttons are now integrated into the screen. Of course, there is Android Auto and Apple Car Play. A wireless charging pad is located in the center console and the infotainment screens feature Amazon Alexa which enables you to control smart gadgets at home through voice command while you are in the car. An upgraded Meridian sound system is available for those who want the best sound quality possible. This sound system even comes with speakers in the headrests. Just like the full-size Range Rover, the Sport also features an active noise-canceling system that cancels out road and tire noise.
Strong Engines and Off-Road Specs
A pair of 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel mills called the D300 and D350 with 300 and 350 horsepower make up the lower end of the price list and the P400, P440e, and P510e take up the higher spectrum of the range. The P440 and P510 are plug-in hybrids with horsepower ratings the same as the ones showcased on their model nameplate. Finally, there is the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 P530 model which as the name suggests produces 530 horsepower. The electric models are powered by a 38 kWh battery that enables up to 70 miles of electric-only driving. All engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Land Rover has stated that an all-electric version of the new Range Rover Sport will be available in 2024 – the same time as the electric version of the new full-sized Range Rover.
As expected, the new Sport comes with high and low-range modes and the incredible traction control system that Land Rover has to offer. The new model will also feature an all-new system called off-road cruise control. This will be able to adjust the vehicle's speed based on the terrain you are driving on to stop the vehicle from getting stuck. The water wading rating is the same with the new Defender and Range Rover at 35 inches. If you are serious about off-roading, avoid the plug-in hybrid models as they have lower ground clearance, a lower wading depth rating, and less wheel articulation.
Some More Stuff To Make It Even More Off-Road Worthy
This handling pack adds a rear limited slip differential which improves stability when coming out of corners. Active torque vectoring which can break the inside wheel helping the car take tight turns quicker is also included in this package. The P510e and the top-of-the-line V-8 come with rear-wheel steering as standard. An active anti-roll system ensures that the big and heavy Range Rover Sport stays flat through corners. The Sport also features adaptive air suspension which isn’t available on any other Range Rover or Land Rover product. This system alters the amount of air in the airbags to help control the vehicle better both during high-speed driving or just for comfort purposes when driving around town.
Safety Features and Pricing
Like most new vehicles, the Range Rover Sport features automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, cruise control, and lane keep assist. A 360-camera system is both useful for off-roading but also when parking or hooking up a trailer. The new Range Rover Sport will start at roughly $80,000, and depending on specification and engine choice can go all the way up to $115,000. It is no cheap buy, however, its uniqueness, luxury, and quality make it a worthwhile buy for those who are in the market for a luxury SUV.