Used 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Range Rover Sport slots between the flagship Range Rover and the avant-garde Velar. Starting just shy of $70,000, the Range Rover Sport also splits the price difference of those siblings, not to mention its ability to seamlessly blend posh road manners with legitimate off-road ability. It is a Land Rover, after all. The Sport is also the only model in the Range Rover lineup to offer 3-row/7-passenger seating, though the last row is cramped. In addition to its inherent British luxury pedigree and ability to tackle any road, the Range Rover Sport distinguishes itself from rivals like the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE with its wide range or powertrains. From a supercharged V8 to a turbodiesel V6 or plug-in hybrid, the Range Rover Sport offers ample choice in what will power your adventures.

We’ve had the rare opportunity to test the Land Rover Range Rover Sport’s on- and off-road capabilities in none other than England itself. An off-road trail let us push the Sport’s 4-wheel-drive setup to the limit as we ventured over rutted back roads, through deep bogs and into water deep enough to make us wonder if we’d be using the sunroof as an escape hatch; ultimately it was drama-free, with the Range Rover Sport pulling through with flying colors.

With its off-road chops verified, we were turned loose on an airport runway, taking the Range Rover Sport to an impressive 145-mph straight-line speed, which it handled with all the stability and calm as if it were loafing down the Interstate. Around town, the Range Rover Sport impresses with its sophistication, responsive drivetrains and comfortable interior.

Your choice of powertrain will also play a role in the Range Rover Sport’s personality. We think the new inline-6 models will be the best choice for the most buyers. If you prioritize lots of low-end oomph, towing and efficiency, check out the diesel. If you have a penchant for higher-performance driving, try the supercharged V8 models.

The 2020 Range Rover Sport comes standard with two rows and seating for five, but can be configured with seating for seven if you opt for a 3-row variant. However, even Range Rover admits the two tiny 3rd-row seats are for “occasional use only.” Another consequence of using them is they eat up most of the rear cargo space, leaving only a paltry 5.7 cubic feet. Otherwise, the Range Rover Sport is a luxurious and rewarding place to be for other passengers. There is the requisite leather and other premium materials, all crafted in fine British quality. The driver’s seat is supportive and offers the commanding view for which Range Rovers are known. The twin-screen infotainment system looks slick but can be frustrating to use due to its reliance on touch controls.

The 2020 Range Rover Sport certainly plays the slightly younger brother to the Range Rover when it comes to exterior design. Like that flagship, the Range Rover Sport is a big hunk of luxuriously imposing metal. It takes the Range Rover’s upright design and slab sides and finesses them. In addition to being about five inches shorter, the Range Rover Sport has a slightly tapered roof and rising beltline where the doors meet the windows, giving it an athletic stance. Variations on the Range Rover Sport vary with trim. The high-end Autobiography model, for example, has lots of shiny bits, whereas its 575-horsepower SVR counterpart tones it down a bit. While some paint color options can cost thousands of dollars, for us it’s the little things, such as the Range Rover Sport-shaped approach lighting beam, that make this SUV so special.

LAND ROVER ACTIVITY KEY
This rugged, waterproof bracelet acts as the key, enabling you to run, swim, surf or just stroll the boardwalk while leaving the key fob safety in the vehicle. It’s perfect for those of us who want to enjoy an active lifestyle without worrying about where to put a car key.

TURBODIESEL
While diesel engines have certainly gotten a bad rap, we’ve found few gripes in the version used in the Range Rover Sport. It has oodles of torque, smooth response, and above-average fuel efficiency. Perhaps most noteworthy is that it’s available at all. Land Rover is among the few brands still offering a diesel.

The 2020 Range Rover Sport spans five main models, and all are well-equipped — as should be expected for an SUV that starts around $70,000. Beginning with the base Range Rover Sport SE, this model includes leather interior, 14-way-power front seats, power tailgate, dual-zone climate control, twin-screen touch-based infotainment system with navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and 8-speaker/250-watt audio system. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and parking sensors. The HSE adds heated and 16-way-adjustable front seats, hands-free tailgate, panoramic roof, 11-speaker/380-watt Meridian premium audio, and enhanced active safety features like lane-keeping aid, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.

Stepping up to the 2020 Range Rover Sport HST trim brings the more powerful 6-cylinder option, 21-inch wheels, 19-speaker/825-watt Meridian audio, tri-zone climate control, heated rear seats and heated/cooled front seats. The HSE Dynamic packs the supercharged V8 and many of the features of the other HSE model. The Range Rover Sport Autobiography also gets the supercharged V8 or the plug-in powertrain (also available on HSE models) and even more creature comforts like 22-way climate-controlled front seats, wood veneers and soft-close doors. The Range Rover Sport SVR touts the 575-horsepower version of the V8 and a wealth of other performance hardware to back up that extra power.

Options vary with trims and include a parking-assist feature, off-road package with 2-speed transfer case, heated steering wheel, head-up display, and even a refrigerated front console compartment. Also noteworthy in this age of streaming music is an available glove-box-mounted CD and DVD player, not to mention a 23-speaker Meridian audio system.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport now offers six powertrain choices, with half of those electrified in some manner. For 2020 there are two new turbocharged inline-6 cylinder engines that replace the former supercharged V6. Both are called mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEV) as each uses a 48-volt electric system and an electric supercharger in conjunction with the engine’s twin-scroll turbo. The base P360 variant makes 355 horsepower and the P400 is good for 395 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid Range Rover Sport, called the P400e, uses a turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor and larger battery pack that should enable roughly 30 miles of range on electricity alone.

The remaining choices are a turbodiesel V6 that provides impressive low-end grunt and laudable fuel economy, and a choice of two supercharged V8 engines. These V8s are used in the most powerful and fastest versions of the new Range Rover Sport. The one used in Autobiography versions makes 518 horsepower, while the monster that powers the Range Rover Sport SVR makes 575 horsepower.

All 2020 Range Rover Sports use an 8-speed automatic transmission and have a permanent 4-wheel-drive system. Most 2020 Range Rover Sport models can tow up to 7,716 pounds, with the SVR coming in at 6,613 pounds and the plug-in hybrid still towing a respectable 5,511 pounds.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (SE P360, HSE P360)
355 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
365 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (HST P400)
395 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (SE D260, HSE D260)
254 horsepower @ 3,750 rpm
443 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-2,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 + 105 kW electric motor (P400e HSE Hybrid)
398 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm (combined)
472 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm (combined)
Combined EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19 mpg

5.0-liter supercharged V8 (HSE P525, Autobiography)
518 horsepower @ 6,000-6,500 rpm
461 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/22 mpg

5.0-liter supercharged V8 (SVR)
575 horsepower @ 6,000-6,500 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg