The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offers impressive luxury and off-road credentials in a premium SUV as bold as it is beautiful. In keeping with its upscale attitude, the Range Rover Sport offers an impressive array of engine choices, including a choice of two supercharged gas engines, a turbodiesel V6 and a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and electric motor combo. Inside, the Range Rover Sport is awash in the finest leather and wood, every bit as luxurious at the finest Cadillac, Lexus or Infiniti SUV, but with that certain British charm only a Land Rover can replicate.
What’s New for 2019?
The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport gets a new plug-in hybrid model with a 31-mile electric range. A new Wade Sensing feature helps determine water depth when crossing flooded roads or streams, and the Range Rover Sport’s driver assist systems are upgraded to include adaptive cruise control with steering assist.
What We Like
Elegant styling; impressive power and handling ability; first-rate luxury trappings; off-road prowess; diesel and plug-in hybrid engine options
What We Don’t
Slightly claustrophobic interior when done in black; big blind spot over driver’s shoulder; poor fuel economy with the V8; can feel like a bull in a china shop in crowded confines; no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
How Much?
$67,745–$135,000
Fuel Economy
The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offers a choice of three engines. The SE and HSE employ a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, good for 340 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque. In the HSE Dynamic, hp jumps to 380 and torque to 340 lb-ft. Teamed with the standard all-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic, this choice returns an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Optional in the SE and HSE is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that’s good for 254 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. EPA estimates for this engine are 22 mpg city/28 mpg hwy. The HSE P400e Plug-in Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and electric motor to generate 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel economy estimates are not yet available, but Land Rover says the P400e can travel up to 31 miles solely on electric power and that the hybrid system in no way limits the vehicle’s maximum water wading depth.
The Supercharged trim brings a more powerful 5.0-liter V8, which is good for 518 hp and 461 lb-ft. EPA estimates for this engine are 14 mpg city/19 mpg hwy. The SVR employs the same V8 but bumps hp and torque to 575 and 502, respectively, with no change in the EPA figures.
Standard Features & Options
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes in six trims, each with their own optional upgrades: SE, HSE, Dynamic, Supercharged, Autobiography and SVR. The new P400e plug-in hybrid is only offered on the short wheelbase HSE trim.
The base SE ($67,745) includes a supercharged V6 engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive with adjustable Terrain Response settings, an air suspension with Automatic Access Height, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning with autonomous emergency braking, 14-way power front seats, power-folding and heated side mirrors with a reverse tilt-down feature, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, a rearview camera, LED headlights, leather seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a power rear liftgate, 19-inch alloy wheels, 8-speaker audio with InControl Touch Pro Duo featuring dual 10-in touchscreens and navigation.
The base SE Td6 ($69,745) includes the same equipment as the supercharged SE, but adds the diesel engine.
The HSE ($73,345) adds perforated and heated 16-way front seats, Windsor leather seating, fog lights, 20-in alloy wheels, heated front seats, a fixed panoramic sunroof and an 11-speaker 380-watt Meridian sound system.
The HSE Td6 ($75,345) includes the same equipment as the supercharged HSE, but adds the diesel engine.
The Range Rover Sport HSE P400e ($79,295) adds the plug-in hybrid powertrain and some additional screens to monitor the electric goings-on.
The HSE Dynamic ($83,145) adds a 380-hp supercharged V6, unique exterior finishes, 21-in diamond finished wheels, red Brembo brake calipers, automatic high beam assist, 22-way climate front seats with heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, 360-degree parking aid with rearview camera, Adaptive Dynamics, a 19-speaker 825-watt Meridian sound system, sliding panoramic roof plus a contrasting black roof and exterior trim.
The Supercharged Dynamic ($86,545) adds to the HSE Dynamic with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, a more sophisticated Terrain Response 2 all-wheel-drive system, All-Terrain Progress Control, Dynamic Response with lean control, a Dynamic Active Rear Locking Differential and Adaptive Dynamics with variable damper control.
The top-of-the-line Autobiography ($97,645) brings a 19-speaker Meridian audio system, automatic high beams, adaptive LED headlights, heated and ventilated 22-way power front seats, 21-in wheels, a 360-degree Surround View camera, a heated rear seat, rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring.
The performance-oriented SVR ($114,595) brings more horsepower, a recalibrated sport suspension, an electronically-controlled active 2-stage exhaust, unique sport seats and interior trim, a recalibrated locking rear differential, 6-piston Brembo brakes, aggressive bumper and front fascia design and revised electric power steering.
Many of the Autobiography’s standard features can be found in options packages on the other trims.
The Climate Comfort package adds a heated steering wheel, a front center console refrigerated compartment and twin-blade sun visors. The Drive package adds blind spot monitoring, drive-condition monitor, traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed monitor, while the Drive Pro package adds to this adaptive speed control, blind spot assist and lane-keeping assist. Next, 5+2 seating adds a small third-row seat, while the Tow package adds Activity Key, Advanced Tow Assist and tow hitch receiver. Premium options include a 1,700-watt, 23-speaker Meridian audio system, climate-controlled rear seats, 4-zone automatic climate control, a head-up display, soft door closers and a rear-seat entertainment system.
Safety
The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes standard with a full array of safety features, including front-side and side-curtain airbags, electronic traction and stability control and an adjustable speed limiter. The various available driver aids include autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign detection, rear traffic detection and a blind spot monitoring system.
Neither the government nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash-tested the Range Rover Sport.
Behind the Wheel
We chose the Range Rover Sport HSE with the supercharged V6, as we wanted to see if there was really any disadvantage to going with less power to save money. To our surprise, we found this engine more than capable, delivering excellent off-the-line starts and an abundance of passing power. The Range Rover Sport looks big and menacing, but it’s amazingly agile and really quite enjoyable when the road begins to twist and turn.
Around town, the Range Rover Sport’s size does present a problem, especially in areas where parking spaces are drawn for Prius-size cars. However, numerous electronic parking aids, including the surround-view camera, help alleviate some of the hassle.
Leave the confines of city life and the Range Rover Sport reveals its trump card: amazing off-road prowess. The Terrain Response all-wheel-drive system is simply phenomenal. Be it muddy paths or unplowed back roads, our Range Rover Sport, even with its 20-in performance tires, simply pushed through it all with ease.
All was not sunshine and roses on this test-drive, however. The third-row seat option is useless for carrying adults, and even kids will end up with cramps after an hour or two. We also had a problem with the rather large B-pillar next to the driver’s head (it creates a huge blind spot) and the odd placement of the upward-facing power window switches, which allowed rain to soak the panel every time we lowered the window.
Other Cars to Consider
2019 BMW X5 — The X5 may be the only SUV with better handling, but it’s not large inside, and the ride can be somewhat punishing with the bigger wheel and tire setup.
2019 Porsche Cayenne — The Cayenne offers more model choices and a lower base price. However, you can’t get a third-row seat option, and the Cayenne can’t follow the Range Rover Sport in the toughest off-road situations.
2019 Audi Q7 — Audi’s Q7 feels a bit more carlike in the way it rides and handles, but offers no diesel or V8 engine option.
Used Mercedes-Benz AMG GL63 — You’ll get scintillating performance and more interior room in a 2011–2014 M-B AMG GL63. Plus, you can get a longer warranty via the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program.
Autotrader’s Advice
Go with the HSE and either the supercharged, plug-in hybrid or turbodiesel V6, then load it up with option packages. You’ll save a ton of cash, get better fuel economy than with the V8 and still have a very enjoyable SUV that will impress your friends and family. Want something with sportier intentions? The Dynamic trims are your best bet.
