Price (as tested) 💲: $100,085
Powertrain ⚙️: Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 + 48V Mild Hybrid
Output 💪: 395 hp/406 lb-ft of torque
Transmission 🕹: 8-Speed Automatic
0-60 MPH 🚦: 5.4 seconds
Top Speed 💥: 140 mph
MPG (as tested) ⛽️: 18 city/26 hwy/21 combined
Curb weight ⚖️: 5,000 lbs
As I was raising the air suspension of the new Range Rover Sport to achieve a foothold for this jumping shot, I considered that, were I to be the last journalist to review this vehicle before it was retired/sold at auction, this may be the only time the “off-road” clearance might be explored.
Certainly the vast majority of Rover Sports won’t see much tougher terrain than a gravel parking lot for curated local produce, so why lift the ride height?
The Rover image – especially the Sport – is not fortified by adventure anecdotes (unless you count consignment store discoveries); this SUV has become a profile padder and esteem raiser in social circles. And the new model is better than ever at this accessory role.
A softened exterior glides into view, glimpses of the airy, tech-rich cabin can be seen when owners dismount their leather chairs to grab a latte, and the 48-volt mild hybrid 6-cylinder pairing barely murmurs when it’s time to trot to the front of traffic.
The Cayenne is better to drive and the X5 is a better value, but neither will raise an eyebrow quite as high as the Range Rover Sport. Whether the Rover has legitimate off-road cred or not (it does) is only weighed in ‘Gram potential.