2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review: A Luxury SUV For All Surfaces
Introduced in 2014, the current Range Rover Sport finds itself competing in a segment bursting with fresh talent. Both the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class are still fresh and there's also Audi's Q8 to worry about, so that's a trio of German talent to compete with. Fortunately, the Range Rover Sport has aged well and still successfully combines typical Land Rover off-road prowess with a more fun-to-drive demeanor than the regular Range Rover. The posh cabin remains a highlight and, from the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid tech to the mighty 5.0-liter supercharged V8, there is plenty of performance on offer. On the downside, the infotainment system is a touch clumsy and slow, while the cargo capacity isn't the best in this segment. The available third row of seats is also seriously cramped. But the Range Rover Sport remains a strong - and highly desirable - contender in the midsize luxury SUV bracket.
What's the Price of the 2022 Range Rover Sport?
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport lineup starts with the P360 SE MHEV at an MSRP of $69,500. It's followed by the P360 HSE Silver Edition MHEV at $78,500. After this is the P400 HST with the more powerful MHEV powertrain at $84,000, the P525 HSE Dynamic (with the V8) at $87,500, and the P525 Autobiography for $98,500. Finally, the most powerful derivatives are the SVR at $115,500 and the new SVR Carbon Edition at $130,000. The 2022 Range Rover Sport price for every trim excludes tax, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $1,350. The Range Rover Sport will cost well over $150,000 when fully kitted out with options and, in general, commands a premium over other German SUVs for sale or for lease in the US. Then again, it's a lot more affordable vs the Range Rover.
Handling and Driving Impressions
Engineered to be a more fun-to-drive alternative to the regular Range Rover, the Sport delivers on that promise. Considering its weight, the Range Rover Sport's electric power steering provides accurate placement of the large SUV, even if you are always aware of its size. It exhibits good body control through the twisties, but doesn't scale the same heights as the Porsche Cayenne (to be fair, almost no other SUV does). At parking speeds, the light steering assists in making it a bit easier to get into and out of tight spots.
The Sport's ride is even better, though. It feels rock-solid on the highway, with minimal noise intrusion and a nonchalant smothering of bumps before they can disturb the peace inside the cabin. When the asphalt turns to gravel, the Sport doesn't shy away like some other luxury SUVs do. With the standard Terrain Response system and features like hill descent control and gradient release control, it's a great choice for novice off-roaders who want the vehicle to do much of the work. That being said, the regular Range Rover has superior wheel articulation, but this isn't surprising considering that the Sport focuses a bit more on on-road performance.
Although we may have pointed out the MHEV's sometimes flawed power delivery, the electric assistance does help in making the stop-start system pleasantly smooth. If you're the type of driver who often finds these systems annoying, chances are you'll be able to live with the one in the mild-hybrid Range Rover Sport.
Verdict: Is the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport A Good SUV?
Despite Land Rover's revered reputation for off-road excellence, the majority of these SUVs will be used for road trips, the school run, and drives to and from the office. Considering that, the Range Rover Sport remains a superb contender within Land Rover's portfolio, with most of the off-roading capability of other Land Rovers but sportier, more assertive manners on the road, where it will be used most of the time. The range of engines no longer offers something for everyone, with the loss of the reasonably frugal turbodiesel and four-cylinder PHEV models for this year. However, the potent supercharged V8 is still alive and well. The cabin is as comfortable and luxurious as ever. The latest BMW X5/Mercedes-Benz GLE have greater cargo capacities, though, are generally even quicker, and each has implemented its infotainment system in a more user-friendly fashion. Not only that, but they are also cheaper than the Range Rover Sport. But if you want a mix of on-road comfort and performance with the ability to tackle the rough stuff, the Sport is still one of the best.
What Land Rover Range Rover Sport Model Should I Buy?
There isn't a bad buy in the range, to be honest. The base SE versions aren't so barebones that they'll disappoint, while saving you thousands of dollars over pricier versions, although the topline SVR will blow you away with its power. We'll go for the P400 HST as it uses the more potent version of the mild-hybrid powertrain, while adding welcome upgrades like the sliding panoramic roof, the 19-speaker Meridian sound system, and a variety of sporty touches that set it apart from other trims. The options we'd add are the Drive Pro Pack (with blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control, and high-speed emergency braking) and the head-up display. Together, these take the HST's price to 88,645 including the $1,350 destination charge.
2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Comparisons
2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs Porsche Cayenne
Rightly viewed as the benchmark for driving dynamics in this segment, the Porsche Cayenne excels on-road by blending a comfortable ride with cornering prowess that belies its weight and size. The Cayenne is also an especially strong performer; even the base model can hit 60 mph in as quickly as 5.9 seconds thanks to its powerful turbocharged V6 engine. At $69,000, it starts at a lower price than the Range Rover Sport, too. With performance specs that include a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, the Cayenne S is almost as quick as the Range Rover SVR - and at under $87,000. Both SUVs are similarly practical, seating five occupants in comfort and with similarly sized trunks behind the second row. The Range Rover's cabin feels a bit warmer, while the Cayenne's is more technical and modern in appearance. The Range Rover Sport is better for off-road use, though, with superior approach/departure angles, a better wading depth, and better ground clearance. Overall, we'd say that the Cayenne's better performance and more involving driving dynamics swing it the way of the German.
2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs BMW X5
The current BMW X5 was introduced more recently than the Range Rover Sport, and it feels that way. Although loaded with the latest tech, the X5 makes it more accessible via its excellent iDrive system, whereas the Range Rover's dual-screen system can be tricky to fathom. Starting at under $60,000, the X5 also comes in at a cheaper price, yet even this base model is really quick, hitting 60 in 5.3 seconds thanks to a silky smooth turbocharged six-cylinder engine. The BMW is more fun to drive, feeling just a bit more buttoned down through curves than the Range Rover, while remaining very comfortable. The latest X5's build quality also approaches perfection and it's predicted to be more reliable than the British SUV. At the top of the range, the X5 M will leave the Range Rover Sport SVR for dead in a straight line despite costing less. Finally, the X5 also has a bigger trunk. For some shoppers, the Range Rover Sport's effortlessly cool demeanor will still win the day, but the BMW X5 is a superior luxury SUV.