The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is the last model year of the second generation of the moniker that came to the market back in early 2013. Designated as L494, this mid-size three-row luxury SUV became an instant hit on the American shores due to multiple reasons, and even after close to a decade of being in continuous production without any major revamps, it is still one of the most sought-after models you can lay your hands on in the segment.
With the arrival of the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, launched for a base MSRP of $70,975, this British marque hasn't brought a whole lot of changes since the all-new third generation is just around the corner. The diesel and plug-in hybrid trims have been discontinued and the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine is the only powertrain currently available. There are also minor feature upgrades to the interior. Competing with the Volvo XC90, Porsche Cayenne, and BMW X5, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
10 A Butch Looking Mid-Size SUV
Though the second generation of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport has been quite long in the tooth, it is still one of the classiest looking offerings out there. When out on the open road, it commands attention that cannot be replicated by the more modern rivals such as the Genesis GV80 and Audi Q7, and that is mainly due to the perfect combination of sportiness and ruggedness.
The proportions of the Range Rover Sport feel perfect for a family SUV, and we adore the modern-looking front fascia with LED headlights, blacked-out grille, air dam, and air vents, and top-notch width. The side and rear profile give it more than enough masculinity, and it has an identical wheelbase to that of the Range Rover. You also get a long list of exterior colors, roof colors, wheel designs, and packages too.
9 Right In The Middle In Terms Of Gas Mileage
The buyers who are on the lookout for such a premium SUV may not be too bothered about the fuel efficiency numbers. However, with the soaring gas price, it is a nice idea to get a car with decent fuel efficiency, especially when getting a daily driver. Thankfully, the fuel efficiency numbers projected by the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aren't bad.
The mild hybrid system and the forced induction engine help the Range Rover Sport with the 355 hp tune to give out 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highways. Even the more powerful HST trim also offers an identical gas mileage figure. This puts the SUV right above the BMW X5 with the inline-6 engine under the hood.
8 10" Touch Pro Duo Infotainment System Is Onboard
The dual 10" touchscreen infotainment comes fitted to the center of the dashboard and is just an arm's length away from both the driver and front seat passenger. Running on the updated Touch Pro Duo software, it gets all the features that help to make the journey quite enjoyable.
The upper screen fulfills all the infotainment duties and the lower screen offers functionalities related to climate control, seat heating, and a few more. The standard features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, steering-mounted audio control, Bluetooth, and a 12.3" digital instrument cluster. The optional Meridian Surround Sound System is a must-have addition too.
7 Has An Inline-6 Engine Under The Hood
The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine that did the duty on the outgoing model years of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport is carried forward, and it can be had in two different states of tune. With a 48-volt mild hybrid assist on board, the SE and HSE Silver Edition comes with 355 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque.
However, the top-of-the-line HST trim punches out an even better 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. This helps the SUV to do the 0-60 MPH run in 6 seconds, and it could achieve a top speed of 140 MPH as well. The 8-speed automatic transmission and the capable 4WD drivetrain help to give out a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,716 lbs as well.
6 Range Rover Sport Supercharged Is Offered For The Enthusiasts
If you do not fancy a turbocharged inline-6 under the hood and want something that could excite you whenever you mash on the gas pedal, the Range Rover Supercharged is also on offer. The 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque makes it a beast and the 0-60 mph comes in an incredible 4.7 seconds.
The SVR trim offers an even better 575 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, and the acceleration numbers and top speed turned out to be slightly better too. The 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission comes unchanged, however, the maximum towing capacity of the SVR was a tad bit lower than the regular Range Rover Sport, coming in at 6,613 lbs.
5 Mediocre Third Row Room
Being a three-row mid-size luxury SUV that has an identical wheelbase and length to that of the more premium Land Rover Range Rover, you would expect it to come out on top when it comes to the cabin space. However, this is where you might get disappointed, especially if you have a large family.
Though the front and second-row seats are pretty comfortable with excellent all-around space, supple seats with leather upholstery, and more than enough storage spaces, the third row is not going to cut in for the adult passengers. The space is tight and the under-thigh support is mediocre. The cargo capacity of 27.5 cubic feet with all the rows up wasn't the best, either.
4 Interior Looks And Feels Luxurious
The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a great place to be in, especially for those who cannot compromise on the luxury factor. Get into the driver's seat of the Range Rover Sport and you would find the luxurious cabin with striking color combinations and perfect material selection to feel like your home away from home.
Most of the touch points come covered in leather and the beautifully crafted dashboard and the intrinsically designed center console with the second 10" display give it elegance. We also loved the well-executed digital gauge cluster and infotainment systems, and the car can be had with a plethora of interior options and trims as well.
3 Top-Notch Braking Performance For The Segment
The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes with a 4-wheel disc brake setup with massive 15" front rotors and 14.4" rear rotors. The braking features such as ABS with EBD, brake assist, automated emergency braking system, hill hold control, hill descent control, and regenerative braking system are standard for all three trims as well.
Even with a heavy curb weight of 5,135 lbs, the braking system in the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was capable enough to do hard braking from high speeds with ease. This could be identified from the 70-0 mph braking distance of 163 feet, which is superior to many of the segment rivals.
2 Lots Of Optional Features And Customization Options
Like any of the premium offerings from the Land Rover stable, the 2022 Range Rover Sport has a long list of customization options as well as many packages and features that are all part of the options list. When it comes to the exterior, you can have any of the 33 color palettes and an option for a blacked-out roof. Other optional packs for the exterior include exterior protection pack and a wheel protection pack.
The interior and driver-assistance features such as the basic rear seat convenience pack, driver-assist package, climate comfort pack, drive package, and vision assist package provide a lot of extra options for the already luxurious cabin. We also would highly recommend the optional Meridian Surround Sound System, head-up display, heated front and rear seats, and heated steering wheel, too. However, some of these features and packages are quite steeply priced.
1 Some Rivals Offer More Value
The base price tag of $70,975 puts the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport against the more modern and powerful monikers such as the Volvo XC90, Audi Q8, and Porsche Cayenne. However, the main downside of the Range over Sport is its steep price tag, which exceeds even the expensive Porsche Cayenne by $1,000.
It also misses out on some basic interior features such as a heated steering wheel and head-up display, both of which are offered in cars that come at half its price tag. Most of the driver-assistance features are part of the optional packages too, and that is going to ramp up the price even further. Overall, we found the Audi Q8 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-450 to be better value-for-money offerings.