2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

Slightly smaller and more agile than the regular Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport offers similar luxury and cachet with a less painful price tag. Mechanically, the two Range Rovers aren't that different and, if we're honest, going with the less-expensive Sport doesn't require giving up much in the luxury department. All Sport models come standard with all-wheel drive, and Land Rover offers a range of engines to choose from including a gasoline-powered inline-six, a plug-in hybrid four-cylinder, a powerful supercharged V-8, and a turbocharged diesel. Handling is zestier here than in the larger Range Rover, but the Sport won't fool anyone into thinking it’s a sports sedan; opt for one of the expensive and brutish Supercharged or SVR Sports (reviewed separately) for a more performance-oriented experience. In line with Land Rover's heritage, impressive off-road capability is also standard, but we can't imagine most owners will explore the SUV's limits out on the trail. Instead, most Range Rover Sports will serve dutifully as stylish and luxurious family cruisers.

What's New for 2021?

Land Rover has made few changes to its mid-size Range Rover Sport for 2021. Besides a revised in-cabin air ionizer, the HSE Silver Edition model joins the lineup and the Premium Black Pack appearance package is now available on the HSE Dynamic trim. The HSE Silver Edition model comes standard with silver exterior trim and unique 21-inch black wheels with a diamond-turned finish. The Premium Black Pack package adds black exterior finishes and glossy black-painted 21- or 22-inch wheels.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Land Rover offers the Range Rover Sport in a wide variety of trim levels for 2021. All offer an impressive mix of luxury and performance. There isn't a dud in the bunch. However, our favorite combination is the HST, which is powered by the brand's mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six gas engine tuned to produce 395 horsepower. We also appreciate the HST's sporty visual touches, such as its black roof and its interior upgrades, which include a faux-suede-wrapped steering wheel and seat trim. The HSE Silver Edition is the best value, however. It's much better equipped than the SE and costs about $10,000 less than the HST. Its 355-hp version of the six-cylinder is plenty strong.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every 2021 Range Rover Sport comes with Land Rover's excellent all-wheel-drive system and an exceptional eight-speed automatic transmission. Land Rover does, however, offer the SUV with five different engines, including a diesel, plug-in hybrid, a mild hybrid, and a supercharged V-8. All offer impressive performance; however, our favorite is the stronger 395-hp version of the brand's mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder gas engine found in the HST model. It's exceptionally smooth and packs plenty of muscle. SE and HSE models get a 355-hp version of this engine, which is also excellent. The diesel-powered variants of the SE and HSE get better fuel mileage, but they aren't as quick as the mild hybrid or the plug-in hybrid models. Those looking for more performance should check out the HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims, which come with a 518-hp supercharged V-8 or spring for one of the high-performance Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged/SVR variants, which we review separately.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

Range Rover Sports powered by the mild-hybrid inline-six never have to be plugged in or charged, but the P400e models, which feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, do have to be plugged in frequently to take advantage of their gas-saving technology. The P400e is powered by a 13.1-kWh battery pack located under the rear cargo floor. It can charge fully on a 120-volt outlet, but it takes up to 14 hours. A 240-volt outlet or trips to a public charging station can charge the SUV more rapidly. The EPA estimates an all-electric range of 19 miles on a full charge.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

With so many different available engines, the Range Rover Sport's EPA estimated fuel economy is a bit spotty, as the numbers are still being updated. Diesel-powered models are rated at 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Fuel-economy estimates for the Range Rover Sport PHEV aren't particularly impressive, but it's the only model that can be driven solely on electricity for short periods.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the 2021 Range Rover Sport has almost the same dimensions as the full-size Range Rover model. Both SUVs share the same 115-inch wheelbase, which gives the Range Rover Sport more rear-seat space than you'll find in many of its competitors. Unlike the Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport is also available with a small kid-friendly third-row seat, which takes its seating capacity from five to seven. However, the third row is not offered in the plug-in hybrid models. Its front seats are firm and supportive, especially on long drives, and rear-seat air-conditioning vents and controls are standard. Heated rear seats are available. Build quality is superior, with soft surfaces and controls that look and feel expensive. Behind the Range Rover Sport's second row is a generous 28 cubic feet of cargo space. PHEV models offer 3.0 cubic feet less because their battery pack is stored beneath the cargo area, raising the SUV's cargo floor by two inches. The Rover's reclining second row easily folds flat, expanding the space to 59.0 cubic feet of space, which is about average for the midsize luxury SUV class.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Significantly redesigned just a couple of years ago, the 2021 Range Rover Sport's climate and infotainment systems are controlled by two large 10.0-inch touchscreens. The design is undeniably modern and attractive. It's also user-friendly with intuitive menus and clean graphics, but the infotainment system is a bit slow to respond to user inputs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standard, and there's another 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver that shows a fully configurable digital gauge cluster.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Range Rover Sport hasn't been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, so its crash performance is undocumented. Land Rover does offer many desirable driver-assistance technology systems, but many such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are optional, which is disappointing considering the SUV's lofty price. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Range Rover Sport's warranty coverage is about average for its class, but it doesn't include complimentary scheduled maintenance. The purchase price of three of its key competitors—the BMW X5 and X7 and Volvo XC90—include three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs