2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review

The Range Rover Sport is available with a wide range of powertrain options; all are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and feature four-wheel drive. The most common is a turbocharged inline-six with an auxiliary compressor driven by a 48-volt electrical system.  Power stands at 355 horsepower and 365 lb-ft on the SE and HSE models (Land Rover calls this the P360 engine) and 395 hp and 406 lb-ft on the HST trim (this engine is dubbed the P400). A fuel-sipping, diesel-powered 3.0-liter V6 (254 hp, 443 lb-ft) is available on SE and HSE trims.

The new plug-in hybrid powertrain (which Land Rover calls the PHEV or P400e) is available in HSE and Autobiography trims. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and a 105-kW electric motor to develop a whopping 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Land Rover estimates the plug-in hybrid will achieve 22 miles of all-electric range before the gasoline engine kicks on. According to Land Rover, charging the 12.4-kWh battery takes 2.75 hours using a 220-volt power supply. Employing a conventional 110-volt household-style outlet will increase charging times significantly.

The most potent powertrain is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8. In HSE and Autobiography trims, it produces 518 hp and 461 lb-ft (the P525). In SVR trim, it pumps out a whopping 575 hp and 516 lb-ft (the P575).

The base Range Rover Sport SE is loaded with features, including a self-leveling air suspension with automatic height adjustment, LED headlights with washers, heated mirrors with automatic dimming on the driver side, off-road traction control settings, a power liftgate, and keyless ignition and entry.

Within the cabin, you'll find leather upholstery, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, an auto-dimming mirror, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot and an eight-speaker sound system with satellite and HD radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Safety features include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning with low-speed automatic emergency braking.

Two option packages are exclusive to the SE. The Drive package adds a blind-spot monitor, a driver-condition monitoring system and traffic sign recognition. The Park package adds 360-degree parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert.

The HSE includes both of the above packages, plus a fixed panoramic sunroof, a hands-free liftgate, upgraded leather, a 13-speaker stereo system, heated front seats, and upgraded interior trim. Selecting the P400e powertrain tacks on a 19-speaker audio system and the Off-Road package (optional on the SE and the HSE), which includes a low-range transfer case and additional terrain modes. The P525 also features the Off-Road package, plus 21-inch wheels, additional leather trim, and an aero kit, but retains the 13-speaker audio system.

The HST is powered exclusively by the P400 engine. Additional features include the contents of the Off-Road package, black-painted exterior trim, a black-painted roof, a panoramic sunroof, wheel-mounted shift paddles, more leather interior trim, sport front seats with ventilation, heated rear seats, faux-suede seat trim, tri-zone climate control, and the 19-speaker audio system.

The Autobiography — available in P400e and P525 powertrains — builds off the HSE P400e and adds most of the HST's equipment, plus a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, 22-way adjustable front seats, upgraded leather upholstery, more leather interior trim, power-closing doors and a 360-degree parking camera.

At the top of the Range Rover Sport lineup is the high-octane SVR. It pairs the Autobiography's upgrades and the P575 engine, then adds a sport-tuned suspension, sport seats, and special interior and exterior styling and trim details. Summer performance tires are offered as a no-cost option.

Many of the above options can be ordered on lower trims, though some packages are available on most levels. These include the Drive Pro (adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot monitor with lane keeping assist if attempting to enter a lane with a car that's in your blind spot) and Park Pro (automatic parallel and perpendicular parking).

Stand-alone options include a 23-speaker audio system, front-seat massage functions, ventilated rear seats, and the Wade Sensing system, which requires a 360-degree camera and blind-spot monitor and alerts drivers when the Range Rover Sport approaches its maximum wading depth.