Taking a page from its newly redesigned Range Rover, Land Rover unveiled an all-new redesigned 2023 Range Rover Sport Tuesday, reinforcing its position as the Range Rover for those who want a Range Rover, but don’t want to spend quite so much.
It will be offered in ascending SE, SE Dynamic, Autobiography and (for 2023 only) First Edition trim levels, with prices starting at $83,000 for the SE and topping out at $121,500 for the First Edition. (For comparison, the newly redesigned 2022 Range Rover starts at $104,500 and tops out at $161,600.)
Inherited powertrains
Lift the hood and you’ll find the same powerplants used in the Sport’s sizable sibling.
Range Rover Sport P360 SE models will get Land Rover’s turbocharged 3.0-liter Ingenium inline-6 with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It produces 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Stepping up to the P400 SE Dynamic nets the same powertrain with additional ponies under the hood: 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, just like the base Range Rover SE.
The new model year also marks the return of the plug-in hybrid after a one-year absence. Dubbed the P440e Autobiography, it uses the same turbocharged V-6 mated to a 105-kW electric motor and 31.8-kWh battery, to produce 434 hp and 619 lb-ft of torque. It has an estimated electric-only driving range of 48 miles, and runs 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds, according to Land Rover.
At the top of the line-up sits the P530 First Edition, powered by a BMW-built twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine that generates 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
All Range Rover Sports come with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, as well as such driver-assistance systems as automatic emergency braking, 3-D surround-view camera (including ground views), front and rear parking sensors, wade sensing, maneuvering lights, cruise control, driver condition monitor, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition.
Its foundation is familiar as well
As with its larger sibling, the 2023 Range Rover Sport is built using Land Rover’s flexible mixed-metal architecture, or MLA-Flex, that provides up to 35% higher torsional stiffness than the previous Range Rover Sport.
“Land Rover’s pioneering flexible MLA architecture and the latest chassis systems come together to deliver the highest levels of dynamism we’ve ever seen on Range Rover Sport,” said Nick Collins, executive director Vehicle Programs, Jaguar Land Rover, in a statement.
The new Sport comes fitted with a new dynamic air suspension the automaker says varies the damping pressure to concurrently deliver comfort and dynamic handling, even as the Sport’s navigation system proactively prepares for the road ahead. If it’s anything like the Range Rover, it should provide for exceptional ride and handling for an SUV.
But more importantly, the new Sport sports all-wheel steering, torque vectoring, and an electronic differential, technology that should endow the vehicle with greater athleticism than the outgoing model. In fact, Land Rover claims it has the same turning radius as a Mini Cooper, despite its far greater size.
Land Rover states its all-wheel steering delivers rear-wheel steering of up to 7.3 degrees, turning opposite to the front wheels at low speeds, and turning in the same direction at higher speeds. And its new Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control should be a boon for maneuverability in certain off-road situations.
The inside story
The 2023 Range Rover Sport’s instrument panel looks looks similar to the new Range Rover’s, with the identical modernist reductivist design and switchgear, and opulent materials seen in its larger sibling. But some finishes are different, reflecting its more sporting nature. Front seat occupants are treated to 22-way adjustable, heated and ventilated electric memory front seats with massage function and winged headrests that include the same active noise cancellation when the 29-speaker, 1430-watt Meridian sound system is ordered. Given this system’s exceptional performance in the larger Range Rover, this will be one option worth having. There’s also a new standard Cabin Air Purification Pro system that reduces odors, bacteria and allergens, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
When it comes to tech, you’ll find wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa come standard, as does navigation, wireless smartphone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 13.1-inch infotainment display using Land Rover’s Pivi Pro user interface and a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster. Best of all, Alexa works without a smartphone, just log in using your Amazon account.
A well-designed wardrobe
It all comes wrapped in the brand’s latest familial attire, boasting the same reductive design that eliminates unnecessary details. Favored by Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern, many details are hidden or eliminated, although the Range Rover Sport seems a bit less rounded than its larger relative. With the suspension in its lowest setting, the car almost looks slammed, particularly when shod with the available 23-inch wheels. It’s smaller overall size makes it more approachable than a Range Rover, and better suited for more aggressive maneuvers.
But a number of details reinforce its place in the lineup. Up front narrow headlights and an equally narrow grille lend the front end a taut, sporty nature. They’re nestled above a large, aggressive air intake that certainly gives the truck a different personality. On the side, the Sport lacks the bold chrome trim graphic that distinguishes the Range Rover, but a simple small piano black trim detail relays its less formal nature. In the back, a strong simple lighting signature distinguishes its appearance.
Sound tempting? You can order yours now, online.
