Is The Range Rover Sport PHEV Worth It?
The days of simple Land Rover 4×4 SUVs are long, long behind us. The brand has developed into a real luxury car manufacturer that combines the latest off-road technology with elegant premium design. In its latest development, Land Rover has dedicated itself to electrification. The 2023 Range Rover Sport PHEV is one of the brand’s newest plug-in hybrid luxury SUVs – and a far cry from the rugged Land Rover farm of yore. Is the Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid a winner? Or has Land Rover strayed too far from the 4×4 path?
How is the Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid doing?
Edmunds assessors took a Range Rover Sport PHEV to the snowy roads of Utah to review its performance. According to Edmunds, the SUV is impressive to drive.
“In most riding modes, put your foot down and the electric motor takes over the initial pick-up, and the inline-six kicks in at higher speeds. Pressing the kickdown pedal requires both the electric motor and the petrol engine to work in sync and the resulting boost is neither surprising nor disappointing.”
That boost Edmunds is referring to comes from a standard turbocharged inline-six engine and electric motor, paired with a 3.18kWh battery. It all works together to deliver a combined power output of 434 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque — a strong performance even for modern SUVs. To top it off, Land Rover says the Range Rover Sport PHEV can travel up to 48 miles in EV mode.
Is the plug-in hybrid Range Rover Sport good in the snow?
Like other Land Rover products, the Range Rover Sport PHEV comes standard with a sophisticated all-wheel drive system with multiple traction settings. According to Edmunds, the SUV easily handled wintry storm conditions in slippery mode. The Terrain Response 2 system can also automatically detect grip and adjust performance parameters accordingly.
The Range Rover Sport PHEV is only slightly smaller than the large Range Rover
The Range Rover Sport has always been smaller than its brother, the flagship Range Rover. But the current model is just a hair shy of the size of the larger SUV. Edmunds says it’s the same width as the Range Rover and just a few inches shorter. The two models even have exactly the same wheelbase at 118 inches.
Significant differences between the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover are diminishing. For many, the decision will come down to whether they prefer value or prestige. After all, the Range Rover itself still attracts attention.
How much does the Range Rover Sport PHEV cost?
While the base Range Rover Sport starts at around $85,000, you’ll have to spend a little more for the plug-in hybrid version. The Range Rover Sport Autobiography PHEV starts at just over $105,000. That might seem steep, but it’s well below the Range Rover Autobiography PHEV’s starting price of over $155.00. Considering the two share a platform and powertrain, the Range Rover Sport PHEV seems better value for money.