Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport, more commonly referred to as the Range Rover Sport, is a mid-size luxury SUV made by the British company Land Rover and later Jaguar Land Rover under the Land Rover name. In 2005, the first generation initially began production. In 2013, the second-generation Sport took its place, and in 2022, the second-generation Sport was replaced by the third-generation sport.

In May 2022, the brand-new Range Rover Sport was introduced in India. The base model of the 2023 Range Rover Sport costs Rs 1.64 crore (ex-showroom) in India, while the First Edition, the highest-specified model, costs Rs 1.84 crore (ex-showroom).

Review

Exterior Design

The Range Rover Sport is a large SUV with dimensions measuring roughly 5m long, 2m wide, and 1.8m to the roof. In reality, it isn't much smaller than the standard-length Range Rover, and the wheelbases of the two vehicles are equal. But as is clear, the Sport is much more than just a matter of size. The style immediately catches attention, and the sloped A- and D-pillars help distinguish it as a Sport. Instead, it's all about understated tones and minimalistic elements that perfectly complement one another.

With its gently rounded corners taking just the right amount of the edge off, the Range Rover Sport carries its boxy shape well, at least upfront. The rounded back is a little heavy in the profile, but preference is a personal matter. Overall, it is comparable to the previous model but is smoother, has one-piece headlamps, and lacks the sharp body crease down the side. 22-inch wheels, air suspension, and headlamp cleaners are included on the outside.

What can be hidden is hidden, and the lines are clearly defined. For example, the knobs or door handles that are flat with the body only emerge upon unlocking. The Sport is also more fundamentally similar to the full-fat Range Rover than ever before, which is excellent. The Sport is built on Land Rover's newest MLA-Flex platform, which also provides all the refinement, technology, and stiffness improvements that were seen on the top-tier Range Rover.

Interior Design and Features

The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have a lot in common on the inside too. The exquisite dashboard continues to have the same fundamental design, but the Sport's interior now has a sportier feel due to a higher center console and a three-spoke steering wheel. Even though the seats are 20mm lower, passengers still have that unique Range Rover captain's vision of the world.

The interior makes liberal use of leather, and if one chooses, one may finish it with vegan materials. There are plenty of possibilities for personalization in terms of design and gear.

In the HSE model of the Range Rover Sport, you'll find features like heated, cooled, and massaging front seats, power-reclining back seats, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, auto-dimming mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, and a wireless charger. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available on the central 13.1-inch display, which also includes navigation.

The Clear Sight Ground View monitor, which provides a view of the area covered by the bonnet, is a cool and practical addition. In strange surroundings, the Sport's extra eyes, which include a fantastic 360-degree camera, and the driver's elevated viewpoint point is useful.

Seats and Comfort

The most accurate way to characterize this British beast is "ridiculously comfy." Even by large SUV standards, there is plenty of room, the large windows provide a terrific view outside, and the seats are genuinely comfortable with excellent back and leg support. The front seats are comfortable, heated, vented, and also have massage functionality. Even on long rides, those in the back seats won't complain because of the optional four-zone temperature control on the tester, which makes them equally comfy. The cabin is bank-vault silent, and the ride is extremely balanced and smooth. The Sport lacks a long wheelbase variation or individual rear seat, and its bench seat has only a few minor adjustments.

Power

There are two engine choices for the new Range Rover Sport in India. The first one is the 3.0-liter straight-six turbodiesel D350, with 350 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque, and the other one is the P400 which has a 3.0-liter straight-six turbo-petrol engine that produces 400 horsepower and 550 Nm. The engine is connected to a background-operating mild hybrid system.

Depending on the driving situation, the hybrid system switches automatically between using petrol, electricity, or a combination of both. After plugging it in and charging it, one can drive for up to 82 km on just the battery.

Driving Feel and Performance

The Range Rover Sport feels light on its feet and has fast, evenly-weighted steering despite its size and weight. It has rear-wheel steering, which keeps it tightly turned and makes turning in small parking lots easier. The ride is quiet and composed and absorbs bumps without ever feeling floaty because of the adjustable air suspension.

In order to drive it with a little more enthusiasm, it will happily display its more enjoyable side. Although the power delivery isn't particularly strong, it has the feeling of coming from a powerful engine.

However, individuals will also notice that the 8-speed automatic transmission is a little slow when they are pushing it. A simple fix is to either set the gearbox in Sport or use the paddle shifters. The Range Rover Sport is a speedy SUV.

The ride on the test vehicle's 22-inch wheels seemed a little rough, and there was also considerable side-to-side movement. One should keep in mind that thinner sidewall tires and smaller wheels will generally provide superior road shock absorption.

Aside from all-wheel drive, Land Rover's Terrain Response prepares the car for various off-road situations, and the air suspension that comes included with the car unlocks 281mm of ground clearance at its highest level. Those who are truly daring will be pleased to learn that the Sport can also swim through 900mm of water.

Cargo Space

With the back seats up, the Range Rover Sport has 645 L of cargo space. They fold electrically and don't go flat, but while they're down, they open up 1,492 L of cargo space. Bag hooks are present in the cargo storage space, which is surprising considering how few sport utility vehicles have them.

The middle pass-through allows you to carry lengthy objects like snowboards while still fitting two people into the back chairs. The second-row seats fold 40/20/40. The roof racks can hold up to 100 kg, and the weight limit for towing is up to 3,000 kg if the towed vehicle has its brakes and 750 kg otherwise.

Conclusion

A car from Land Rover's top-tier Range Rover family should work just fine if you're searching for one that combines off-road ability, luxurious interiors, and an appearance of an upper-crust image. However, the 2023 Range Rover Sport is an excellent alternative if your budget is a little less flexible. The Sport's design is comparable to that of the more costly Range Rover despite its smaller size but with more attitude. Consumers get a good range of options due to the trio of powertrains that includes a hybrid inline-six, a plug-in hybrid inline-six, and a mega-power twin-turbo V-8.

The luxurious interior is equipped with the newest entertainment system from Land Rover, the Pivi Pro, as well as driver-assistance capabilities for both on- and off-road driving. The starting price of the Range Rover Sport is greater than that of comparable high-end SUVs like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE-class, and Volvo XC90 because all this beauty doesn't come cheap. Without a doubt, though, the Sport earns its position in the Range Rover lineup honestly for a variety of factors, out of which money is not one of them.

It's hard not to like the Range Rover Sport. Even within the narrow field of huge, luxurious SUVs, it feels unique and exceptional. Considering how much more expensive it is than its regular competitors, this model is going to convince customers to spend a lot of money.