The Range Rover Sport is a large luxury SUV; It measures 4.95 meters in length. It can be ordered with micro hybridized Diesel engines (ECO label) or as a plug-in hybrid (0 labels). There is also a micro hybridized gasoline version with chassis adjustments to give it a sportier behavior. It is called the SV, it has 635 hp and we deal with it separately in this article. The most affordable Range Sport is the D250 SE (249 HP Diesel), which costs 104,050 euros (prices for the entire range).
It is one of the best SUVs of its size due to the quality of the finishes, the richness of the covering materials, and the attention to detail. It is not one of the largest, but four adults of average height and even a little higher (impressions of the interior) can be accommodated without stress in its cabin. Its driving is what corresponds to a luxury vehicle: very comfortable and silent. We have tested the P510e and P530 versions (both discontinued since June 2023, the first because it is replaced by the P550e version and the second because it simply disappears from the range; more information below). More information in driving impressions.
It shares with the Range Rover the platform (called MLA Flex), many technical solutions, and almost all the engines. In the Range Sport, the windshield is more inclined than in the Range Rover and the drop of the window is less vertical. It also changes the driving position - the seat is two centimeters closer to the floor -, the steering wheel - its diameter is 1.5 cm less - and the center console, which is placed a little higher. In addition, the Sport is significantly less expensive - about 30,000 euros less - and a little lighter. Its off-road abilities, like those of the Range Rover, are very good.
It measures 4.95m in length, 2.05m in width (2.21m including mirrors), and 1.82m in height (with the suspension in normal height mode). It is 10 cm shorter than a Range Rover SWB (short wheelbase), 5 cm lower, and has the same width. The wheelbase is identical: 3.00 meters. Some of its alternatives are the Audi Q8, the BMW X5, the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Porsche Cayenne, and the Volvo XC90. All of them have a starting price lower than that of the Range Rover Sport (list of SUVs up to 5.00 meters with less than 540 CV).
Engines and traction system
Since June 2023, the range has been made up of two Diesel versions and two plug-in hybrids, in addition to the sporty SV to which we dedicate an exclusive article. All have all-wheel drive and an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. The latter has a sailing function, although only in some driving modes (for example, it is deactivated in Dynamic), and depending on the traffic conditions (at speeds above 160 km/h it is always engaged). The reducer is standard or optional depending on the motor.
Plug-in hybrids prior to the June 2023 update were called the P440e (440PS) and P510e (510PS). From that date, they are renamed P460e (460 CV) and P550e (551 CV). Not only do they have more power and accelerate faster, but they also have more electric range: 121 km for the P460e and 116 km for the P550e (previously 114 and 112 km respectively). This has been achieved in part thanks to the use of a new electric motor with greater power and efficiency (now it gives 218 hp instead of 143). Comparative technical sheets. The new electric motor will allow the Range Rover Sport to circulate with greater agility in electric mode, which was one of the weak points that the previous versions had (driving impressions).
The battery is the same, with a gross capacity of 38.2 kWh and a net capacity of 31.8 kWh. The maximum charging power with direct current is 50 kW (from 0 to 80% in 40 minutes). More information in Consumption and recharge). A fully electric version will arrive in 2024.
Suspension and off-road capability
In all Range Rover Sport, the suspension is air springs, with a system that can increase the pressure in the springs in advance on winding roads thanks to information from the navigation system. One major difference from the Range Rover is that the Sport's air springs have two air chambers instead of one. This achieves a firmer fit in Dynamic mode which helps limit roll and improve cornering dynamics. The shock absorbers are Bilstein "double valves", that is, the hydraulic oil that circulates through them can move through one route or another to be more or less firm and thus better adapt to driving conditions.
The Range Sport's fording capacity is 900mm, an outstanding value. The free height to the ground is variable thanks to the pneumatic suspension. For example, Range Rover Sport PHEVs are 21cm in normal position, 24cm in off-road 1, and 27cm in off-road 2. There is an 'access' position to make it easier to get in and out of the cabin which leaves the body 16 cm from the ground. Non-plug-in hybrid versions have better off-road qualities. Below is a table with the off-road dimensions in off-road 2 modes:
Possible options to improve dynamics include active sway bars with a 48-volt electrical system (Dynamic Response Pro), four-wheel steering (rear wheels turn a maximum of 7.3 degrees opposite the front wheels), up to 50 km/h; at higher speeds, they point towards the inside of the curves) and the active rear differential (brakes one or the other wheel to make it easier for the vehicle to enter the curves). These systems fall under the optional Stormer Handling Pack, which is standard on the Range Sport P550e.
In addition to driving programs for asphalt, there are also programs for off-road driving (selected with the Terrain Response 2 control). These affect the operation of the differentials, the engine, the steering, or the traction control. As a novelty, there is a function that allows driving at low speed automatically in unpaved areas and the driver only has to deal with handling the steering wheel: its name is adaptive off-road cruise control. According to Land Rover, "it allows the driver to set the desired speed and comfort on demanding terrain from a range of four settings" and "the vehicle detects how the surface is and adjusts the chassis to suit the conditions." The system analyzes pitch, roll, pitch, and yaw rate to automatically determine the optimal speed at which to maintain control over challenging terrain.
There are other equipment items that help progress comfortably off-road, although they are not new to Land Rover, such as the wading sensor (shows on the dashboard screen how far the water is coming), the driving mode wading ( that raises the body to the maximum and closes the ventilation inlets in the passenger compartment), the system that shows an image of what is under the front of the car (Clear Sight Ground View) or the peripheral cameras.
Equipment and other data
The trim levels are as follows: S, SE, Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, and Autobiography. In all cases, elements such as electric heated front seats, leather upholstery, electric adjustment of the steering column, LED headlights with automatic change from short to long, and a Pivi Pro multimedia system compatible with Android are included in the standard equipment. Auto and Apple CarPlay and an electric tailgate. In the equipment section, you can study in more detail the list of elements of each level. The Range Sport S and SE have a different front bumper than the others, with a less pronounced lower lip (Sport SE image and Sport Autobiography image). This gives them an advantage when it comes to driving in the field since their angle of attack is better (33.0º instead of 29.7º).
During the first year of marketing, there was a level called First Edition that could only be ordered with the P510e version.
The Range Rover Sport has lower drag than the Range Rover SWB because the frontal surface is lower and so is the drag coefficient (the most favorable Cx is 0.29 instead of 0.30 for the Range Rover SWB). That, together with the fact that the weight is lower (about 80 kg less), makes its performance and consumption slightly better with the same engine. The braking system is cooled by ducts that allow air to pass through when demanding driving or in the field. Under normal conditions, they are closed to improve aerodynamics.
This is the third generation of Range Rover Sport. It replaces the second generation, which was launched in 2013 and updated in 2018. The first Range Rover Sport appeared in 2005 and used the base of the Land Rover Discovery 3. The second and third generations use the same as the contemporary Range Rover.
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