Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Upfront is an elegant dashboard with contrasting colors that match the rest of the cabin. It is mounted by two center displays - one for infotainment, and another that provides access to the car's features. 

The latter is flanked by two rotating knobs which let you adjust cabin temperatures or switch between driver modes, depending on the settings. Behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel is a configurable digital display.

It's about as spacious as a flagship Range Rover thanks to its 115 mm wheelbase. Passengers get more room overall, although it can be a squeeze on the third row. Cabin heating and power-adjustable leather seats help everyone stay snug and comfy during rides.

The Range Rover Sport can respectively haul 162 liters and 623 liters worth of cargo on the 7-seat and 5-seat variant. However, seats can be folded individually to make room for more. This gives you the flexibility to fit as many passengers and luggage as you would like.

The facelifted model isn't a full departure from the last one. It retains the classic design cues of Land Rover vehicles, including a two-tone body color, a rear-sloping roof, and an uninterrupted waistline. 

Naturally, there are some noticeable changes like a more muscular bonnet, wraparound headlights, squared-off air intakes, and sporty wheels. The longer body allows it to be fitted with two additional seats. It's also closer to the ground, making it easy to mount the vehicle. In spite of its lowered body, it maintains a decent 213 mm ride height and a wading depth of 850 mm.

Steering feels light but balanced on the Range Rover Sport. This allows you to easily maneuver around tight spaces and make sharp turns without any oversteer. The entire range is also equipped with air suspension so you get a comfortable and stable ride when driving through bumps and potholes.

It isn’t intended for serious off-roading. However, it can handle off-the-beaten paths, especially with the built-in traction modes.

All-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic transmission are standard to the model. Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) variants are either mated to a 2.0L or a 3.0L engine that runs on gas or diesel. Alternatively, standard models can be equipped with a larger engine. Both churn out anywhere from 250 to 400 horsepower and 495 to 700 Nm of torque.

Meanwhile, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) get a 3.0L gas engine under the hood. It delivers 405 hp and 640 Nm torque. The range-topping Range Rover Sport SVR is treated with a 5.0L V7 Supercharged engine that provides up to 575 hp and 700 Nm torque.

Shifting between gears is seamless. As expected of a Jaguar, it can go from 0 to 100 kmph in 4 to 8 seconds. Fuel efficiency is not its strong suit. But you can get more mileage out of its 86-liter tank with a plug-in or diesel variant.

The new Land Rover Range Rover Sport has a high-strength aluminum body that works alongside safety systems such as stability control, ABS with EBD, traction control, and emergency brakes to provide a safe ride. Basic safety features such as seatbelts, ISOFIX points, pretensioners, side curtains, and airbags are to be expected. Unfortunately, key features like lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control are optional.

The Range Rover Sport is an excellent hauler. You can use it to transport passengers and heavy cargo without feeling the need to sacrifice the elegance and comfort that a luxury SUV could offer. Despite its large size, it also offers great performance and handling – as a Jaguar should.