Redesigned 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Finds Its Niche
We like the smoother ride and more luxurious cabin, but many interior controls are too complex
Land Rover has redesigned its luxury midsized Range Rover Sport SUV for 2023, following the trail blazed by the larger Range Rover. The new Sport offers a variety of powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid, along with premium amenities and a new infotainment system. The SUV’s silhouette is similar to that of the 2022 model, but the body has been smoothed-out to the point that it looks more like a concept vehicle, rather than a production model.
We’re happy to report that this new version of the Range Rover Sport has eliminated some of the flaws of the last one. Most notably, the jarringly-stiff ride is gone, and so is the over-the-top raucous exhaust note. The interior is also more modern and luxurious than before. These updates should make it a capable competitor to the likes of the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Porsche Cayenne.
Powertrains include two versions of a 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine that utilizes turbocharging, supercharging, and a mild-hybrid setup: The base P360 has 355 horsepower and the P400 has 395 hp. There’s also a 434-hp plug-in hybrid (dubbed the P440e—and yes, Land Rover’s nomenclature is odd) based on the same engine, with a claimed 48-mile electric-only range. The Sport is topped off with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that pumps out a massive 523 hp. These powertrains all use an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive comes standard. An all-electric version will likely join the lineup for 2024.
