The 2018 Range Rover Sport is available in six trim levels; SE, HSE, HSE Dynamic, Supercharged, Autobiography and SVR. SE and HSE come standard with a 340-horsepower supercharged 3.0L V6, while a 3.0L turbocharged diesel V6 is optional, which makes 254 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Dynamic steps it up with an additional 40hp, with a 380-horsepower supercharged 3.0L V6.
Supercharged and Autobiography models make a jump to a 518-horsepower supercharged 5.0L V8. The SVR version gets an even more powerful, 575-horsepower version of the supercharged V8 engine. Power is delivered through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration with any of these models is very quick -- just 6.9 seconds to 60 mph for the Supercharged V6. All models come with 4-wheel drive standard and multi-mode selectable terrain response, while a 4-corner air suspension provides a comfortable ride.
The Range Rover Sport SE comes well equipped with a long list of standard luxury, safety and performance features. Interior luxury begins with leather upholstery, power front seats with memory settings, navigation and an 8-speaker audio system. The new Touch Pro Duo infotainment system brings technology to their fingertips with audio, navigation and various vehicle controls displayed on the dual 10.2-inch touchscreens. Exterior features include performance tires on 19-inch wheels, LED auto-leveling headlights, and a sleek new grille. Keyless entry and ignition, a hands-free lift gate and front and rear parking sensors provide added convenience for owners.
The HSE adds to the standard equipment with an upgraded leather interior, 20-inch wheels, an 11-speaker premium audio system, a panoramic sunroof and heated front seats. Added safety features include blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert. The HSE Dynamic trim steps up in power with an additional 40 horsepower while also adding 21-inch wheels, heated and cooled front seats, a 19-speaker premium audio system and upgraded interior trim.
The Supercharged and Autobiography trim levels introduce the Range Rover Sport to the 5.0L V8 engine making 518 horsepower. The Supercharged trim features are comparable to the HSE, but also includes a power sunroof and steering wheel paddle shifters. The Autobiography adds to the standard equipment with features such as 21-inch wheels on performance tires, soft-closing doors, multi-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel.
The top-of-the-line, high-performance SVR trim brings even more power, with its 575 horsepower 5.0L V8 engine. Other performance highlights on the SVR include a sport-tuned air suspension, sportier transmission programming, 21-inch wheels and upgraded brakes. Exterior styling includes custom SVR accents and trim, while the interior gets special styling and sport seats.
Five can fit in the Range Rover Sport, although on both the SE and Supercharged models, there's a third-row seating option that expands total capacity to seven; the setup doesn't sacrifice any cargo space as it folds completely flat into the floor when not in use.
Safety features in the Range Rover Sport include front, side curtain and thorax airbags, plus active front seat belts. A number of active-safety features are available in the Range Rover Sport and they might help avoid an accident entirely. Examples include Lane Blind Spot Monitoring, Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Flank Guard, Automatic High Beam Assist, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic Detection and Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist. Adaptive cruise control is also available and it will brake automatically if it anticipates a collision.
Other noteworthy options include a rear-seat entertainment system, quad-zone climate control and a 7700-lb tow package.
Unique Style Inside And Out
Quiet And Comfortable, Luxurious Cabin
Seating For Up To Seven
Sporty On-road Performance
Off-road Prowess
Wide Range Of Standard Safety Features
The 2018 Range Rover Sport received an updated exterior and interior from the prior year model. A new grille, bumper and headlight design enhance the exterior, while optional appearance packages make it a true eye-catcher. New optional appearance packages give buyers the option for black accents or a combination of black and carbon fiber accents. New styling to the optional 21- and 22-inch wheels and a more aggressive rear spoiler enhance the exterior even more. Updates to the interior include slimmer front seats and new ambient lighting with 10 color options. The most noticeable interior feature is the Touch Pro Duo Infotainment system, which incorporates two touchscreen displays, eliminating many buttons and knobs from the interior.
Compared to the Range Rover on which it's based, the Range Rover Sport is about five inches shorter in length and two inches lower. As the name indicates, the Sport puts more of an emphasis on handling and on-road performance, while keeping a quiet and comfortable interior. It does, however, retain an impressive level of off-road prowess.
The Range Rover Sport is a fast and agile performer, thanks to its lightweight all-aluminum construction and supercharged or turbocharged engine options. Compared to other models in its class, the Range Rover Sport doesn't make as much of a sacrifice in ride quality for handling and off-road prowess, while its feature set and luxurious cabin appointments are a step above some in the same price range. Key rivals include the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes GLE and INFINITI QX70.
