The Range Rover Sport Wants to Be Both a Sports Car and an Off-Roader, and Mostly Pulls It Off
Sitting between the smaller Velar and the full-size Range Rover, this is Land Rover's answer to the question of how much genuine dynamic sharpness a luxury SUV can offer without giving up any real off-road ability — and reviewers are broadly impressed, with a few honest caveats.
Splitting the Difference Between Comfort and Cornering
Few SUVs genuinely try to be agile and off-road capable in equal measure. Reviewers keep finding the Range Rover Sport gets remarkably close to pulling off both, even if outright steering feel is sacrificed somewhat along the way.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Mid-size luxury performance SUV |
|---|---|
| Engines | P360/P400 mild-hybrid, P450e/P550e plug-in hybrid, P530/P635 V8 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic, standard all-wheel drive |
| Suspension | Standard adaptive air suspension |
| Key rivals | BMW X5, Audi Q7, Mercedes GLE, Porsche Cayenne |
Full Review Summary
Edmunds
Edmunds rated the Range Rover Sport as unable to match true class leaders on outright on-road dynamics, though found its rakish styling, beautifully tailored interior and genuine off-road capability more than compensate for most buyers. They praised the wide engine choice, spanning efficient six-cylinder options through to plug-in hybrids and a full V8, as giving genuine flexibility to match different buyers' priorities.
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports measured a 7.2-second 0-60mph time on the six-cylinder P360, noticeably slower than key rivals, and rated fuel economy as on the low side for the class at 20mpg overall. They praised genuinely agile handling with minimal body roll for such a substantial vehicle, though found the steering vague and short on feedback, and rated the standard air suspension as delivering a composed, comfortable ride even on larger 22-inch wheels. They flagged Land Rover's below-average brand reliability record as a real concern weighing against an otherwise composed, hushed and beautifully finished cabin.
Strengths
- Genuinely striking styling and beautifully finished cabin
- Composed, comfortable ride from standard air suspension
- Broad engine range spanning efficiency to genuine performance
- Strong off-road capability alongside on-road composure
Weak points
- Vague steering with limited genuine feedback
- Below-average reliability record versus key rivals
- Slower acceleration than rivals on entry-level engines
- Convoluted control layout in places
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want genuine luxury SUV presence and off-road capability without stepping up to the full-size Range Rover, and who are willing to accept Land Rover's below-average reliability track record as a trade-off. Worth budgeting for a comprehensive warranty or extended cover given the reliability concerns reviewers consistently flag.