2020 Range Rover Sport offers ultimate SUV luxury
If you love SUVs, chances are good you've dreamed of owning a Range Rover. Britain's top SUV maker produces some of the finest luxury SUVs in the world, and you can spend a lot of money to own one. But if you think you can't afford a Rover, you might be surprised at how affordable they can be.
There are two Range Rover models. The long wheelbase Range Rover starts at $90,900, but the slightly smaller and sportier Range Rover Sport starts much lower at $68,650. For that price, you'll enjoy the same luxury touches with a slightly shorter wheelbase.
The Range Rover Sport is equipped with your choice of a powerful inline six-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel rated at 246 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
One attractive feature is that all Range Rover Sport trims come with Land Rover's near-magical four-wheel-drive system. The standard Terrain Response system allows you to optimize the Range Rover Sport for sand, mud, snow, or normal road conditions. For more serious work, the Range Rover Sport can wade through water up to 33.5 inches deep. The standard All Terrain Progress Control can get you through conditions that will leave other SUVs literally stuck in the mud. If that's not enough, there's an optional Off-Road Pack that gives you a dual range 4WD system, rock crawling mode, and an adaptive suspension.
The Range Rover Sport will seat five adults in comfort in the front and second rows. For those occasions when you really need more seats, there are two more seats in a third row, but those are really suitable only for children or emergencies. If you plan to regularly carry seven people, the long wheelbase Range Rover is a better choice. When you need to carry cargo, the Range Rover Sport gives you 59.5 cubic feet of carrying capacity.
As you would expect, a Range Rover offers first-class luxury. When you order a Range Rover Sport, you can choose from four different types of leather, and specify single or two-tone treatment with eight different colors. The infotainment technology package with the Meridian audio system sounds great and it's easy to use.
On the road, the Range Rover Sport is compact enough to handle well, but big enough to be roomy and comfortable. We tested the gasoline engine and it provided plenty of power. Land Rover calls the Range Rover Sport "the most dynamic Range Rover" and they're exactly right. If you don't need the biggest SUV, you can save money and enjoy all the same benefits with the 2020 Range Rover Sport.
2020 Range Rover Sport
Base price: $68,650
Price as tested: $75285
Type: Midsize luxury SUV
Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder (355 hp, 365 lbs-ft)
Transmission: 6-speed automatic; Continuously Variable Transmission
EPA estimated mileage: 19/25
Overall length: 192.1 inches
Curb weight: 4,773 pounds
Final assembly: Solihull, UK