Used 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport puts a lot of that exceptional Range Rover aura into a luxury midsize SUV package. It has a special blend of on-road presence, off-road ability, sumptuous accommodations (in its standard 2-row form, at least), and plentiful power.

One classification down from the full-size Range Rover and generally more affordable, the Range Rover Sport is a car culture highlight similar to its stablemate — desired by all sorts of affluent buyers, not just well-off families.

And it’s been wearing the years well. This generation, the second, made its debut in 2014. In that time, the Range Rover Sport SUV has gained a plug-in hybrid version, advanced driver assistance features, and smartphone integration.

Some vehicles make a splash because of their novelty. The Range Rover Sport, on the other hand, is timeless.

There’s really nothing lacking in the base engine, a turbocharged 6-cylinder unit generating 355 horsepower. And a standard adaptive suspension keeps life smooth and controlled. If anyone wanted to take their $70,000-plus luxury machine over tough terrain, the Range Rover Sport SUV can handle it.

The SVR is a serious performance machine that can compete with the likes of the BMW X5 M. We’ve been off-road with it (admittedly, conditions were not too demanding) and then went straight on to a track (having hosed off the mud), where it can take away breath, knock off socks, and all that other good stuff. How fast is the Range Rover Sport SVR? It can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds. For something that weighs just over 5,000 pounds, that’s amazing.

The dashboard and center console in the 2022 Range Rover Sport SUV are simple yet still classy, employing clean shapes and quality textures. The driving position is suitably commanding, and the seats are exceptionally comfortable.

Except, that is, for the optional two seats making a third row (not available with the plug-in hybrid drivetrain or the HST and SVR variants). Not that they’re noticeably unpleasant to sit on, but legroom is in short supply. Land Rover says they’re only for occasional use.

They also reduce the luggage area, leaving only 5.7 cubic feet behind them. Otherwise, cargo space goes from 27.5 cubic feet behind the second row to 59.5 cubic feet behind the first.

The Range Rover Sport has the kind of presence that would fill another car’s rearview mirror even if there were several hundred yards between the two vehicles. Part of it is down to the distinct signature of the daytime running lights, but sheer size makes a considerable contribution.

Shorter than the full-size Range Rover by about five inches, this Sport model does seem to have a slightly more athletic profile because of its subtly sloping roof. Yet it also has much of that same imposing look.

For lashings of chrome, the Autobiography trim will do nicely. The high-performance SVR model really stands out with its special blue paintwork, although it is available in other colors as well. The SVR Carbon Edition has a vented hood made of carbon fiber.

ACTIVITY KEY
It looks like a fitness tracker worn on the wrist, but the Activity Key allows the driver to keep the regular keys locked safely inside the Range Rover Sport SUV while surfing, kayaking, or something similar.

TERRAIN RESPONSE SYSTEM
It’s doubtful that many people would take a Range Rover Sport luxury SUV on an expedition through the jungles of Belize. But for dealing with all sorts of challenging surfaces — like snow, sand, and mud — the Terrain Response system is the culmination of Land Rover’s exceptional off-road expertise.

Starting at the SE level, the 2022 Range Rover Sport SUV comes well equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension, all-wheel drive, Terrain Response system, LED exterior lighting, keyless entry/ignition, leather upholstery, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, power-adjustable steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 12-inch digital driver information display.

The infotainment system includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, Wi-Fi, a 250-watt/8-speaker audio setup.

Standard safety features include front/rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance.

We’d be more inclined, however, to check out the next-up HSE Silver Edition with its quad-zone climate control, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, blind-spot monitoring, upgraded cabin air feature, and a Meridian surround-sound system. This also brings the choice of the plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

Beyond the HSE Silver Edition, buyers can choose nicer leathers and bigger engines. All variants are eligible for adaptive cruise with stop/go and high-speed emergency braking, towing pack, black roof rails, head-up display, 110-volt outlet, and hands-free tailgate operation.

Other extras that apply to some models include soft-closing doors, massaging front seats, a self-parking system for parallel and perpendicular spaces, retractable side steps, rear-seat entertainment setup, and a 1,700-watt/23-speaker Meridian sound system.

Land Rover doesn’t make things simple with the engine offerings in the 2022 Range Rover Sport SUV. For example, the so-called P360 and P400 powertrains have the same engine, with a difference of only 40 horsepower. It’s a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 with a mild-hybrid 48-volt system.

P400e, on the other hand, signifies a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor running off a lithium-ion battery. It makes a total of 398 horsepower and has a range of 19 miles in electric vehicle (EV) mode.

A supercharged 5.0-liter V8 generates 518 horsepower in the P525 configuration or 575 horsepower in the SVR variants.

Every 2022 Range Rover Sport has an 8-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive as standard. The majority of variants can tow a maximum of 7,716 pounds. Despite its power, the SVR is capped at 6,613 pounds. And the P400e plug-in hybrid can haul a still-useful 5,511 pounds.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (P360, SE & HSE Silver Edition)
355 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
365 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (P400 HST)
395 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 + 105 kW electric motor (P400e HSE Silver Edition)
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 (42 MPGe inc. battery range)

5.0-liter supercharged V8 (P525 HSE Dynamic, 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