The third generation Range Rover Sport takes a best step forward in luxury and technology. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The Range Rover Sport. The best of all worlds? You might think that Land Rover's flagship Range Rover model would be just about perfect if it was slightly more dynamically styled and slightly sharper to drive. That's just what the third generation Range Rover Sport aims to offer. It now feels like a six-figure SUV inside and out and there's nothing quite like it.

Background

Here's a car that claims to be able to do.... well, almost everything. It'll cruise on the autobahn at 130mph, ford rivers in the Serengeti, take a family on holiday and slip you down to the shops. It can be affordable to run, rewarding to drive and looks dynamic and stylish. There has to be a catch - doesn't there? Time to check out the third generation Range Rover Sport. Ah yes, the Range Rover Sport. A car that in its first generation guise was neither a 'Range Rover' or 'sporty'. In fact, it was based almost entirely on the brand's sensible Discovery model and, thanks to that car's practical ladder frame chassis, as about as dynamic to drive. Still, the smarter set of clothes did the trick and for most of its life between 2005 and 2012, the MK1 'Sport' was one of Solihull's best sellers. The second generation model, launched in 2013 and updated in 2017, satisfied them far more credibly, based this time on the underpinnings of the fourth generation Range Rover. This MK4 design, which arrived in 2022, also shares a Range Rover chassis and powertrain, which means it's very advanced indeed.

Driving Experience

Even with the standard passive engineering spec we tried, there's lots to admire about the way this car tackles the turns. Land Rover reckons the body structure is 35% stiffer than before, offering what the brand claims is 'sportscar levels of stiffness'. Air suspension, a dual chamber system, is now standard and has been designed both to limit cornering body roll and pitch under acceleration. The result is certainly a very different experience from driving an ordinary Range Rover, as you oversee things from the more focused 'Command Driving position'. The news on engines (still all mated to 8-speed ZF auto transmission) isn't that much different to what it was before. A diesel still suits the car best and a vastly powerful petrol V8 is still a bit over-the-top. What has changed a bit is the Plug-in Hybrid offering, which was well worth avoiding with the previous generation car but which now offers a more sensible alternative to DERV - and perhaps also to the full-EV version, which hadn't yet been launched at the time of this test. That's mainly because the PHEV engine now has six rather than four cylinders and there's a vastly larger 38.2kWh battery. To give you some perspective, that's bigger than the battery fitted in some small full-EVs (!) and of course it enormously improves this car's EV range (quoted at 72.1 miles - think 50 in the real world). As usual with Land Rovers, the model names designate horsepower. The main 3.0-litre PHEV unit (which we tried and liked last month in a Range Rover) is badged 'P460e' and makes 62mph in 5.5s en route to 140mph. With plush spec, there's also a fractionally faster P550e version of the same unit. We mentioned diesel; well that's what we tried in the fastest of the various mild hybrid flavours in which the usual 3.0-litre six cylinder unit is now being offered. You can theoretically have a base D250 version, but most choose the mid-range D300, which significantly improves the 62mph sprint to 6.1s en route to 135mph. The top D350 variant enhances those figures further to 5.5s and 145mph, but you're probably more likely to want to choose it because of its artificially enhanced but rather pleasingly snarly engine note. Is there really any need to go faster than that in a Range Rover Sport? The few who think so are offered the stupidly expensive 'SV Edition Two' flagship performance model. Unlike the old SV 'Sport' (which had the classic old 5.0-litre supercharged JLR unit), this one uses a 4.4-litre petrol V8 borrowed from BMW and putting out 635hp. Rest to 62mph requires 3.7s en route to 180mph; why would you? Answers on a postcard please. Whatever your powertrain of choice, highway cruising is effortless, spoiled only by a bit of undue wind noise from the boxy body. Ride quality's probably about 90% as good as a Range Rover, which means it's very good indeed. As before, the Range Rover Sport is unrivalled off road, with intelligently variable all-wheel drive and 'Terrain Response' with six settings. The air springs can offer a 135mm ride height increase, water up to 900mm deep can be forded and 45-degree gradients attempted.

Design and Build

You'd instantly identify this as a Range Rover Sport, though on closer inspection, this third generation model is a good deal more sophisticated to look at. It's now a fraction under five-metres long, with a silhouette featuring three defining lines. There's the roof, which slopes downwards into a bigger rear spoiler; a more angled waistline with flush fitting for the door handles and glass; and a lower line that sweeps upwards. Up-front, the grille is slimmer and the LED headlamps are the narrowest ever fitted to a Land Rover model. Out back, it's particularly striking, with a visor-like screen and tail lamps with smart red OLED embedded strips. Inside, there's a more focused and immersive cockpit design than you'd get in a full-fat Range Rover, though all the technology is much the same. You sit 20mm lower and the steering wheel is smaller. A high centre console flows into a curved 13.1-inch central infotainment touchscreen, complemented by a 13.7-inch digital instrument binnacle. There are some lovely touches too, like the way that the speakers for the Meridian sound system can be covered with textiles. More space for leg room has been freed up in the back thanks to a 75mm-longer wheelbase. And the cargo bay has risen in size to 647-litres (dry-rated) - 55-litres more than before. This time round, there's no seven-seat option. And unlike the Range Rover, there's no long wheelbase version either.

Market and Model

At the time of our test in Autumn 2024, Range Rover Sport pricing was starting from around £75,000, which gets you base 'S' trim, but you're probably not going to want that because it restricts you to the base D250 diesel engine. Most Range Rover Sport customers budget at around the £85,000 price point, for either 'SE' or 'Dynamic SE' trim, where the choice is between either the uprated D300 diesel or (for around £6,000 more) the P460e petrol Plug-in Hybrid. If you can stretch to nearly £100,000 for the plush 'Autobiography'-spec we tried, your engine choice further widens to also include an extra PHEV option, the rare P550e, or an alternative faster diesel, the D350 (which is what we tried, priced at the time of our test at just under £103,000). Think also in terms of needing a six-figure sum if you want the full-EV version, which hadn't yet been launched at the time of this review. The only other choice is the fearsomely expensive (to buy and run) 'SV Edition Two' flagship performance model, which uses a 4.4-litre petrol V8 putting out 635hp and, as we compiled this test, cost around £172,000. Even base 'SE'-spec gets you quite a lot; 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, a fixed glass panoramic roof, a heated windscreen and a year's subscription to a 'Secure Tracker Pro' system. Plus, like all Range Rover Sports, you get key engineering features like Dynamic air suspension and the best off road system in the business, 'Terrain Response 2'. Inside with 'SE'-spec, there's grained leather upholstery with 12-way powered front and rear adjustment, plus a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable steering column, a 3D Surround Camera and a Meridian sound system.

Cost of Ownership

The Range Rover Sport has come a long way since the days of the heavy, thirsty old first generation model. The second generation design adopted an all-aluminium body structure which cut kerb weight by a whopping 39%. And this MK3 model took another step forward with its MHEV mild hybrid diesel tech and improved PHEV Plug-in powerplants. As we compiled this review, there was also the promise of more to come, with a full-EV version being readied for imminent launch. All of these headlines rather mask the fact that the versions most customers will actually choose still lag a little behind less capable rivals when it comes to matters of efficiency. The base D250 MHEV diesel manages 39.4mpg on the combined cycle and 188g/km of CO2. For the D300 MHEV, it's 38.8mpg on the combined cycle and 191g/km of CO2. For this D350 MHEV, it's 38.1mpg and 194g/km. You'll need deep pockets of course to run the top 'SV Edition Two' 4.4-litre V8 petrol model, which only manages 23.6mpg and 272g/km. Your diesel alternative is the P460e, which returns the usual unrealistic fantasy-land three-figure fuel return common to all PHEVs (in this case 382.4mpg) and a tax-beating 17g/km of CO2 (putting the car in the 5% BiK bracket), while the 38.2kWh battery is supposed to manage up to 73.3miles of EV range. It's 362.2mpg, 18g/km and 71.5 miles for the faster P550e. Take those mileage figures with a pinch of salt by the way, as Land Rover admits via a caveat on their website stating that in real-world driving, you should expect up to 54 miles of range. What about PHEV battery replenishment? Well rapid charging capability of up to 50kW is now included, which means an 80% charge will occupy under an hour. Use a home wallbox and a full charge will take around five hours. It'd be a yawning 15 hours from a domestic plug. On the move in a 'Sport' PHEV, there's a choice of full-electric mode, plus a default Hybrid setting and a 'Save' option, which defers electric charge for when you might need it later in your trip.

Summary

With the fully fledged Range Rover being these days very much a plutocratic purchase, it's this 'Sport' model that for us, now most faithfully continues a model line stretching all the way back to the 1970 original. That very first Range Rover was a car you didn't have to be afraid to use as intended, on or off road. And nor is this one, usefully improved in this more sophisticated third generation form. It looks and feels a more luxurious, expensive product this time round, but it's still one that wouldn't mind getting its wheels dirty, should you ever have the opportunity to exploit quite astounding reserves of off road prowess. Previous generation Range Rover Sports had to pay for that with stodgy on-road handling, but this one has improved greatly in this regard, providing you tick the right expensive options boxes. It's taken Land Rover a long time to get this model exactly right; but try it for yourself and you may well feel that it's been worth the wait.

Body Glass

Heated windscreen

Rear wash/wipe

Heated rear window

Privacy glass

Remote window closing

Heated washer jets

Rain sensing windscreen wipers

Electric windows with one touch open/close and anti trap

Laminated front and rear side glass

Winter wiper park position

Brakes

Electronic traction control

Hill descent control

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Cornering brake control (CBC)

Low traction launch

Hill launch assist

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electric parking brake

EBD - Electronic brakeforce distribution

Emergency braking

Brake pre-fill technology

Carpets/Rugs

Signature carpet mats

Chassis/Suspension

Adaptive dynamics

Automatic access height

Adaptive off-road cruise control

6D Dynamics

Communication

Android Auto

Apple car play

Wireless device charging

Remote

Bluetooth connectivity streaming

Driver Aids

Lane departure warning system

Lane keep assist

Eco mode

Blind spot assist

All wheel steering

Traffic sign recognition with adaptive speed limiter

Adaptive cruise control with steering assist

Front and rear parking aid

Rear traffic monitor

Rear collision monitor

Park assist

3D 360 degree surround camera with wade sensing

Configurable programs

Driver Convenience

Powered gesture tailgate/boot lid

Push button start

Driver Information

Trip computer

Head up Display

Interactive Driver display instrument cluster

eCall

13.1" Touchscreen

Driver condition response

Driving Mirrors

ClearSight interior rear view mirror

Electric heated/power fold memory door mirrors with approach lights and auto dimming driver side

Embellishment Trims

Satin black ceramic controls

Engine

Carbon fibre engine covers

Entertainment

USB/aux input socket

Meridian Signature Sound system

DAB Radio (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

Pivi pro connected

Exterior Body Features

Metal load space scuff plates

Rear side wing doors

SV exterior badge

Illuminated metal treadplates with SV script

Exterior Lights

Headlight power wash

Automatic headlights

Adaptive brake lights

LED tail lights

Automatic headlight levelling

Rear fog lights

Follow me home lighting

Centre high mounted stop light

Rear animated directional indicators

Digital LED headlights with signature DRL and image projection

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Pollen filter

Air quality sensor

Automatic air recirculation

Interior Features

Electric adjustable steering column

Loadspace cover

Rear centre armrest

Lockable glovebox

Heated steering wheel

Front stowage pocket

Centre console with armrest

Three 12V accessory power outlets

Front and rear cupholders

Front/rear passenger grab handles

Gearshift paddles

Soft close doors

Multifunction steering wheel

Bright metal foot pedals

Power socket

Front door storage space

Loadspace mounting provisions

Customer configurable single point entry

Easy boot loading

Loadspace Hook

Luggage tie-downs in loadspace

Upper secondary glovebox

Edge illuminated paddle shifters

Interior Lights

Front map lights

Loadspace light

Configurable cabin lighting

Packs

Online pack with data plan - Range Rover Sport

Safety

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Front side airbags

Seatbelt warning

3 point seatbelts on all seats

TPMS (Tyre pressure monitoring system)

Power operated child locks

Passenger seat occupant detector with front airbags

Occupant protection assist

Illuminated seat belt buckles

Configurable autolock

Seats

Front seat back map pockets

Front and rear headrests

Isofix child seat preparation

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Rear ISOFIX

Single front passenger seat

60:40 seats with power recline and loadthrough

Body and soul seat

Security

Immobiliser

Locking wheel nuts

Remote locking

Perimetric and volumetric anti theft alarm

Keyless entry

Intrusion sensor

Towing

Trailer stability assist

Transmission

8 speed automatic transmission

Electronic active differential with brake torque vectoring

All wheel drive system

SV single speed transfer box (high range only)

Emissions - ICE

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 272

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 283

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 272

Engine and Drive Train

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Gears: 8 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Cylinders: 8

Cylinder Layout: V8

Number of Valves: 32

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

CC: 4395

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 88.3

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 89

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 23.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 23.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 22.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 12

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 12

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 12.5

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 85

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: 100121

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Service Interval Mileage: 21000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 85

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 69

NCAP Safety Assist %: 82

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 635

Badge Engine CC: 4.4

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 3

Coin Series: SV Edition Two

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 6

Coin Description: P635 V8

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Top Speed: 180

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.7

Engine Power - KW: 467

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 553

Engine Torque - NM: 750

Engine Torque - MKG: 76.5

0 to 60 mph (secs): No

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 635

Engine Torque - RPM: 1800

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Rear: 285/40 R23

Tyre Size Front: 285/40 R23

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Wheel Type: 23" ALLOY

Wheel Style: STYLE 1084

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): 2209

Height: 1814

Height (including roof rails): N

Wheelbase: 2998

Width: 2025

Length: 4970

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 3250

Minimum Kerbweight: 2485

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 90

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 3500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 765

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 647

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.94

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1491

Max. Roof Load: 100

Body Glass

Solar attenuating windscreen

Brakes

Blue SV carbon ceramic brake calipers

Red SV brake calipers

Carbon ceramic matrix braking system

Yellow SV carbon ceramic brake calipers

Blue SV brake calipers

Carbon bronze SV carbon ceramic brake calipers

Black SV carbon ceramic brake calipers

Communication

Personal customer handover experience

Wi-Fi Enabled with data plan

Driver Aids

Remote park assist

Driver Convenience

Homelink (programmable garage door opener)

Embellishment Trims

SV Carbon fibre finisher

Black anodised metal finisher

Exterior Body Features

Exposed carbon fibre gloss bonnet

SV bespoke ultra metallic matte finish paint

Sliding panoramic roof with electric sunblind

Body coloured roof

SV bespoke ultra metallic satin finish paint

Fixed panoramic sunroof with electric sunblind

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Cabin air purification pro

Four zone climate control

Interior Features

Manual rear side window sunblinds

Domestic plug socket

SV bespoke full extended leather upgrade

Performance leather steering wheel

Perforated Windsor leather upholstery

Duo tone ebony/light cloud headlining

SV bespoke duo tone ebony/light cloud suedecloth headlining

Front centre console refrigerator compartment

Packs

Convenience pack - Range Rover Sport SV Edition One

SV Twill Carbon Gloss Fibre Exterior pack - Range Rover Sport

SV Twill Carbon Satin Fibre Exterior pack - Range Rover Sport

Smoker's pack - Range Rover Sport

Paint - Special

SV bespoke ultra metallic gloss - Marl grey

SV bespoke ultra metallic satin - Sunrise copper

SV bespoke ultra metallic gloss - Ligurian Black

SV bespoke ultra metallic matte - Blue nebula

Safety

First aid kit

Seats

16 way electric heated and cooled memory performance front seats and heated power recline rear seats

16 way electric heated and cooled memory performance front seats and heated and ventilated power recline rear seats

SV Carbon fibre seatback

16 way electric heated memory performance front seats and heated power recline rear seats

16 way electric heated performance front seats with massage and heated power recline rear seats

16 way electric heated and cooled performance front seats with massage and heated power recline rear seats

Security

Secure tracker pro

Towing

Advanced tow assist

Electrically deployable towbar

Trim - Cloth

Perforated ultrafabrics - Cinder grey/ebony with cinder grey/ebony interior, ebony/light cloud headlining

Perforated ultrafabrics - Cinder grey/ebony with cinder grey/ebony interior, Ebony headlining

Trim - Leather

Perforated Windsor leather - Ebony with ebony interior, Ebony headlining - SV Edition Two

Perforated Windsor leather - Ebony with ebony interior, Ebony/light cloud headlining - SV Edition Two

Perforated Windsor leather - Light cloud/ebony with light cloud/ebony interior, Ebony headlining - SV Edition Two

Perforated Windsor leather - Light cloud/ebony with light cloud/ebony interior, Ebony/light cloud headlining - SV Edition Two

Perforated Windsor leather - Rosewood/ebony with Rosewood/ebony interior, Ebony/light cloud headlining

Perforated Windsor leather - Rosewood/ebony with Rosewood/ebony interior, Ebony headlining

Vanity Mirrors

Twin blade sunvisors with Illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels

Summer tyres

Wheels - Alloy

23"Forged duo tone satin/gloss black - Style 1084

23"Carbon fibre satin grey tint - Style 5132

23"Carbon fibre gloss dark tint - Style 5132

22" Diamond turned satin dark grey contrast - Style 1083

Wheels - Spare

SV reduced section alloy spare wheel

Tyre repair system