2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Pros: Fantastic off-road capabilities; acceleration is blistering with supercharged V8; improved fuel economy; classy interior; delivers much of the upscale appeal of the original Range Rover at a much lower price

Cons: Even though its pricing significantly undercuts a regular Range Rover, Range Rover Sport is still really expensive; some complicated controls; legroom could be better in both the front and rear; small-item storage in the cabin is only so-so

CG Says: The 2021 Land Rover Ranger Rover Sport adds two new special edition models and has an improved interior air filter. The SVR Carbon Edition is based on the topline 575-horsepower SVR model. The HSE Silver Edition has a unique exterior trim and added equipment. Range Rover Sport is a premium midsize crossover SUV that seats up to seven passengers with optional third-row seat. Although it shares a name with Land Rover’s topline Range Rover, Range Rover Sport is actually built on a smaller platform and is less expense. The base engine is a mild-hybrid, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six cylinder that is available with 355 or 395 horsepower ratings. There is also a plug-in hybrid that combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 398 horsepower. A high-performance supercharged 5.0-liter V8 is rated at 518 or 575 hp. Better fuel economy is offered by a turbodiesel 3.0-liter V6 with 254 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard and a two-speed transfer case is optional. Available features include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, Driver Condition Monitor, Intelligent Speed Limiter, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, park assist, Advanced Tow Assist, surround-view camera, hands-free liftgate, height-adjustable suspension, and Wade Sensing Control for fording water. There are other premium SUVs that offer more value for mainstream shoppers, but none of them can match the Range Rover Sport’s blend of on- and off-road handling, invigorating acceleration, regal cabin appointments, high-tech features, and high-end personality. The SVR model is incredibly expensive, but it should provide an interesting alternative to high-performance luxury SUVs such as the BMW X5 M and X6 M.