The first all-new Range Rover Sport in a decade is here and unwavering in its intention to retain the sporting SUV crown, but how does it fare against its rivals?
Few vehicles can match the level of versatility offered by performance SUVs but the Range Rover Sport was among the first to make such a vehicle truly desirable when it launched back in 2005.
However, close to two decades later, there’s now a plethora of solid choices in this segment with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne all highly capable of taking on the all-new third-generation Range Rover Sport – both on- and off-road
The third-generation Range Rover Sport is finally here and is looking to impress
All of these vehicles offer a broad selection of powertrain options from smooth straight-sixes to firebreathing V8s, but we’re here to discuss the absolute best that these SUVs can achieve.
- Range Rover Sport revealed
- Range Rover Sport Australian price and specs
- All-new Range Rover generation unveiled
Power and acceleration
The third-generation Range Rover Sport is available with an arsenal of six-cylinder petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, however it’s the BMW-sourced flagship offered under the code name P530 that has garnered attention.
The 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 produces 390kW of power and 750Nm of torque – enough to dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.5 seconds.
The BMW-sourced V8 produces 390kW of power and 750Nm of torque
This is thanks not only to its sheer grunt but also a snappy eight-speed automatic transmission and grippy all-wheel-drive system – hardware common to all four of these SUVs.
However, BMW hasn’t provided its highest engine tune to the British car maker, with the same V8 in the X5 M boosted to 460kW/750Nm, trimming its traffic-light sprint time to 3.8 seconds.
Land Rover is almost guaranteed to release a more powerful version of the Range Rover Sport in the future wearing an SVR badge – likely with the full-fat engine tune of the M-badged BMW – though that’s pure speculation at this stage.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT takes just 3.3 seconds to get to 100km/h
Despite having less engine displacement at 4.0-litres, the twin-turbo V8 in the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S pushes outputs to near absurd levels with 450kW/850Nm, however it dead-heats with its German rival over the 0-100km/h sprint (also 3.8 seconds).
The inclusion of the Porsche Cayenne GT on this list feels almost unfair, seeing that it features a similar (though unique) engine set-up to the AMG, with outputs maxxed to 471kW/850Nm – putting acceleration on another level at 3.3 seconds before its speedo smashes past triple figures.
Outright speed
It might remain a figment of the imagination here in the land of speed cameras and restricted limits but over in Germany, its glorious Autobahn highway network still rewards ultimate bragging rights.
The Cayenne GT once again takes the crown here with a claimed top speed of 300km/h, while the X5 M is not far behind at 290km/h if you select the right options pack.
The BMW X5 M is a bloody fast thing with a top speed of 290km/h
The GLE 63 S again isn’t far behind with a top speed of 280km/h, but the Range Rover Sport P530 is a touch off the pace because it’s electronically limited to 250km/h – a common artificial V-Max for the majority of high-performance cars on sales in 2022.
Affordability
None of these SUVs are what you could call ‘affordable’ but value for money can be found even at the top end of the price range.
The BMW has the cheapest entry-point of the four with the X5 xDrive 25d starting at $106,900 before on-road costs, whereas the high-performance X5 M commands $222,900 before on-road costs.
Arch rival Mercedes-Benz isn’t far behind with prices starting at $115,781 for the GLE 300d in wagon guise and topping out at $244,835 for the GLE 63 S coupe.
The Mercedes-AMG GLE is fast but it’s sure not cheap
Pricing has not yet been released for every grade of the third-generation Range Rover Sport but the $139,160 starting point for the entry-level D250 SE six-cylinder diesel is a big jump over the outgoing model.
While we don’t yet know the price of the Range Rover Sport P530 models, pricing will likely approach similar territory to the previous-generation P575 SVR which cost $253,395.
The Porsche has the second-highest entry point here at $128,100 before on-road costs for the base Cayenne wagon, however the top-spec Turbo GT coupe is by far the most expensive with a price tag of $336,100.
A true comparison will have to wait until the Range Rover Sport launches
Verdict
A true comparison between these four models will require a back-to-back Chasing Cars comparative road test to assess crucial areas such as build quality, handling and so much more.
On paper, however, the Range Rover Sport appears to be off to a leisurely start – though the performance of the more rigid chassis and improved refinement are likely to place it a notch above its ageing competitors in the real world.
More information and a full review of the Range Rover Sport will be released later this year.
Range Rover Sport 2022: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- D250 SE: $139,160
- D300 Dynamic SE: $151,030
- D350 Dynamic HSE: $168,640
- D350 Autobiography: $191,140
- D350 First Edition: $196,360
- P360: TBC
- P400 Dynamic SE: TBC
- P400 Dynamic HSE: TBC
- P530 Dynamic HSE: TBC
- P530 Autobiography: TBC
- P530 First Edition: TBC
- PHEV 510: $198,100
Keyword: Range Rover Sport 2023 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne spec battle: which premium SUV is best?