The Land Rover Range Rover Sport was introduced to create a mid-size luxury SUV that could compete with sportier, on-road-oriented models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. With powerful engines mated to trademark Land Rover off-road equipment and hints of the high-end Range Rover's styling – all in a sleeker and more compact package – the Range Rover Sport continues to be a popular model for the brand's ever-expanding (and expensive) lineup.
2023 - Present Land Rover Range Rover Sport (3rd Generation)
The third-generation Range Rover Sport hit the market in 2023 with significant changes from the previous version. The base engine was still a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system (MHEV) generating 355 horsepower. A high-output version of that engine was also available with 395 horsepower.
A new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was also available, which had an inline-six and an electric motor that delivered a combined 434 horsepower and an estimated 51 miles of electric-only range.
The most powerful engine was a new 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that generated 523 horsepower. All Range Rover Sport models came with four-wheel drive, air suspension, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. For the V8-powered versions, trim specifications were SE, Dynamic SE, and SV.
The interior of the new Range Rover Sport was more minimal than before, with barely any physical buttons and switches. Textile or leather were available for the seat upholstery, with various two-tone color options inspired by the smaller Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar. It also had standard features such as automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
In 2024, a new 542-horsepower PHEV engine was introduced on the Autobiography PHEV, which also came with more equipment than the SE and Dynamic SE trim levels and offered different exterior and interior trim. Some optional performance packages offered the likes of torque vectoring and rear-wheel steering. A new Range Rover Sport SVR model, with 626-horsepower versions of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, was also available.
For the 2025 model year, the Range Rover Sport received some new appearance packages, including the Stealth package with black alloy wheels, accents, and brake calipers.
2014 - 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2nd Generation)
The second-generation Range Rover Sport was introduced for the 2014 model year. The greatest change over its predecessor was weight, as a new aluminum chassis took as much as 400 pounds off the curb weight. Rather than being mostly unrelated to the standard Range Rover, the Sport had much more commonality under the skin besides the engines.
The new model also came with a new base engine: a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 340 horsepower. The Supercharged model continued with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 520 horsepower. These engines ran through an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive.
Changes to the interior focused on improving the quality of materials and shared more with the larger Range Rover. The front seats were much higher for better visibility, and a small third-row seat was newly optional to better compete with the three-row Audi Q7 and as an alternative to the 2017 Land Rover Discovery.
In 2015, the high-performance SVR version arrived, along with new Supercharged Limited and HSE Limited trims. The SVR came with an upgraded version of the V8 powertrain that delivered 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.
A 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine from Ford made its way to US models for 2016. It produced 254 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. A new crawl-control feature enhanced the Range Rover Sport's off-road capability, and a power tailgate was standard (it was previously an option).
The touchscreen infotainment system was upgraded in 2017 and increased to 10.2 inches. Several safety features were also standardarized, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
There were few changes in 2018, but 2019 saw a significant overhaul of the second-generation Range Rover Sport. The V8 Supercharged model was dropped, but a new V8 Supercharged Dynamic SE variant was added.
The supercharged V6 was replaced by a new turbocharged six-cylinder with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. That increased the fuel economy to a combined 21 mpg.
In 2020, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version was introduced. Mated to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motors, the system put out 400 horsepower and had an all-electric range of 22 miles. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also became standard equipment for this model year.
Aside from losing the PHEV and the turbodiesel powertrains in 2022, the Range Rover Sport remained unchanged until the new generation in 2023.
2006 - 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport (1st Generation)
While the Range Rover has always been focused on off-road capability and comfort, the Range Rover Sport was introduced to fill a gap between the more practical Land Rover LR3 and the more expensive and prestigious Range Rover. Its styling was heavily inspired by the 2004 Range Rover Stormer concept vehicle.
The Sport was also more road-oriented to compete with performance-leaning SUVs. It had a standard 4.4-liter V8 engine putting out 300 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque or an optional supercharged version of that same engine that generated 390 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, both of which became available in various Jaguar Land Rover products.
Both of these engines ran through a six-speed automatic transmission with adaptive terrain response for different road conditions and driving needs. These engines also came with a four-wheel drive system for excellent traction in off-road situations. Yet while the Range Rover Sport resembled and was priced closely alongside the Range Rover, it had much more in common with the less expensive LR3 model.
Inside, the Range Rover Sport was well-appointed with standard leather seats, wood trim on the dashboard and doors, and a touchscreen radio. Features like large wheels, a navigation system, and a rear entertainment system were available.
Aside from a few minor adjustments, the Range Rover Sport did not really change until the introduction of the HST Limited Edition package for the supercharged V8 version in 2009. This model came with a new grille, an extended spoiler, and a few cosmetic upgrades inside and out.
In 2010, the Range Rover Sport received a significant facelift with many cosmetic and mechanical changes. The biggest change came from two new engines: a 5.0-liter V8 delivering 375 horsepower in the HSE model and a supercharged version with 510 horsepower in the Supercharged model. These also came with a new version of the 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case and a new system that optimized the engine settings depending on the terrain.
Very few changes were made to the Range Rover Sport until the 2014 model year, when a new generation was introduced.
