The Range Rover Sport is the more playful version of the stately Range Rover luxury SUV. With its off-road credibility still intact, the Sport model tends to attract a younger crowd of luxury buyers.
It starts with sleek styling from last year’s redesign. It’s not as tall as the big Range Rover but shares more of the look of its pricier big brother. The Range Rover Sport has a lower roofline, and its new rounded front fascia is softer, presenting a nice, modern look.
Choosing the SE Dynamic trim level — with the blacked-out trim pieces and added bronzed trim pieces — gives the Range Rover Sport a more upscale look. I like the optional black roof panel. It plays nicely with the handsome Varesine Blue paint.
The expressive LED taillights and the blacked-out rear panel help this large SUV seem a bit smaller.
Most Range Rover Sport models come with a turbocharged six-cylinder mild hybrid system putting out 395-horsepower. It keeps the SUV with traffic and delivers better miles per hour than I can remember in the previous Range Rover Sport.
A plug-in hybrid version is also available. It gives you the power of a V-8 with the ability to run on electric power for about 50 miles. The cost is an additional $5,000 over the mild hybrid.
No matter the version, the driving experience is elevated and more luxurious than before. The Range Rover Sport is better at soaking up bumps than flying around corners. It has no problem getting dirty when the pavement ends, and it’s very comfortable and sure-footed in snow.
The Range Rover Sport ups its luxury game with an improved interior including upgraded leather and trim pieces. It’s more inviting and comparable to the pricier Range Rover. It boasts an exceptionally clean and uncluttered design with just a shifter and push button to start and turn off the engine.
While the space isn’t as cavernous as the big Range Rover, the Sport still holds its own. It lacks airy headroom due to the lower roofline, but most riders shouldn’t have a problem. The tech gets a face-lift with bigger screens, and the touch screen is much easier to use than in the past. Even the navigation steered me right.
Cost: $90,800 Base Price; $100,220 as tested.
MPG: 22 mpg combined; I managed 23.2 mpg in 486 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: In-Control Protect; emergency braking with assist; traffic sign recognition & adaptive speed limiter; lane-keep assist; driver condition monitor; Park Pack; head-up display; Drive Pack.
Things to know: The Range Rover Sport is an SUV with loads of style and luxury, and it isn’t afraid to get dirty. With a powerful V6 or even a plug-in hybrid version, this luxury SUV is less thirsty than before.
Pros:
- Standard mild hybrid gets better mpg than any Ranger Rover sport I remember.
- An interior that sees an upgrade in materials and design.
- Packed with technology and safety equipment.
Cons:
- Gets pricey with higher trim levels.
- Not as sporty in the corners as you might think for a vehicle with Sport in its name.
- Plug-in hybrid version is hard to find for now.
