Looking for a luxury midsize SUV with a posh cabin and status symbol badge that can also do serious off-roading? The 2019 Range Rover Sport can take you to the ballet one evening, and then forge a mountain stream the next day.
The Range Rover Sport was updated for the 2014 model year and has received updates every year since. For 2019, a new plug-in hybrid joins the line-up.
The 2019 Range Rover Sport is available in six trims: SE, HSE, HSE Dynamic, Supercharged Dynamic, Autobiography Dynamic, and SVR. There’s also a plug-in hybrid, the Range Rover Sport P400e. Starting prices range from $67,500 to $114,500 which are more expensive than many rivals. The standard configuration seats five passengers; a third row is available if you need room for seven. All-wheel-drive is standard on all trims.
Several different powertrains are available so you can pick the one that’s right for you. The standard engine in the SE and HSE trims is a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that makes 340 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. A diesel 3.0-liter V6 that makes 254 hp and 443 pound-feet is also available on the SE and HSE trims. The HSE is also available as a plug-in hybrid that has an all-electric range of 31 miles. It has a four-cylinder engine and electric motor that make 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The HSE Dynamic has a 3.0-liter V6 that produces 380 horses and 340 pound-feet. And the Supercharged Dynamic and Autobiography Dynamic trims get a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that makes 518 horses and 461 pound-feet. In the SVR, this same engine generates 575 horsepower and 502 pound-feet. All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
All powertrains deliver enough power for daily driving situations. While the handling isn’t as dynamic as its cousin, the Jaguar F-Pace, the Range Rover Sport has lively performance and stays planted when cornering, despite its boxy shape. In fact, the Range Rover Sport is a joy to drive on twisty, turning roads. It’s also quick off the line, and it’s a breeze to merge and pass at freeway speeds. The ride is comfortable and quiet with road and engine noise barely noticeable.
The Range Rover Sport has impressive off-roading chops, calmly tackling the great outdoors with no more effort than driving down a city street. Several features are standard including hill descent control, a single speed transfer case, and a Terrain Response system. You can add Rock Crawl mode, an adaptive air suspension for adjusting ground clearance, and Terrain Response 2, which automatically adapts to changing landscapes. And a wading depth of 29.5 inches means you can also traverse streams and other shallow bodies of water. The optional Wade Sensing feature alerts you when you approach the maximum wading depth.
When properly equipped, the Range Rover Sport can tow up to 7,716 pounds.
The gas-powered models have below average fuel efficiency for the class. EPA ratings for my tester are 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with a combined rating of 21. I got 21 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The interior is beautiful with top-of-the-line materials. Every stitch is in place, and the leather is very high quality. Passengers in the first and second rows enjoy good leg- and headroom in comfortable, supportive seats. The optional third row is best left for smaller kids.
As you’d expect, there’s a long list of standard features including proximity keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, driver memory settings, Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with two 10-inch touchscreens, Bluetooth, navigation, a USB port, puddle lamps and power-folding and auto-dimming heated mirrors.
Standard safety features include lane departure warning, forward collision warning with low-speed automatic emergency braking, and front and rear parking sensors.
Options include ventilated and heated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, tri- or quad-zone automatic climate control, upgraded leather seating, 11- or 19-speaker Meridian audio system, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, second-row entertainment system with two eight-inch screens, and the Land Rover Activity Key—a Fitbit-like wristband that lets you lock and unlock the vehicle.
Available safety features include blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, rear cross traffic alert, a 350-degree camera with parking sensors, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and automatic high beams.
The Touch Pro Duo infotainment system could use updating. The system looks good with its two 10-inch touchscreens, but it can be slow to respond and is not as intuitive as other systems. You have to navigate through menus and submenus for some simple functions, such as adjusting the heated seat setting. On top of that, the screens can be tough to reach.
The Range Rover Sport has less cargo space than most rivals. There are 24.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.8 cubes with all rows folded. For models with the third row, it easily folds into the cargo floor with the push of a button. 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks provide flexibility in hauling passengers and cargo. A hands-free liftgate and a self-leveling air suspension with automatic height adjustment for loading and unloading are standard.
The good:
Serious off-road chops
Several available engines including a plug-in hybrid
Peppy handling
Comfortable ride
Beautiful, upscale interior
Good towing capability
Lots of standard and available tech and safety features
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available
The not-so-good:
Higher starting price than most rivals
Gas-powered models have below average fuel efficiency for the class
Less cargo space than many competitors
Clunky infotainment system
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $73,990. Delivery fee is $1,295 bringing the grand total to $75,285.
Bottom line:
It’s tough to find a midsize SUV that’s offers better off-roading capability. The 2019 Range Rover Sport also boasts lively handling, a ritzy interior and lots of tech, with a wide range of powertrain options and other available features and technologies so you can customize your vehicle to your liking. However, all of this comes with a relatively steep price tag, and the gas-powered Sport also has below average fuel efficiency for the class.
