Test Drive: 2023 Range Rover Sport SE

2023 Range Rover Sport SE

Class: Premium Midsize Crossover

Color: Giola Green

Miles driven: 359

CG Report Card

Room and Comfort	B+
Power and Performance	C
Fit and Finish	A-
Fuel Economy	A
Value	C

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	B
Tall Guy	A

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	360-horsepower 3.0-liter
Engine Type	Turbo Inline six
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Observed fuel economy: 28.3 mpg

Driving mix: 50% city, 50% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 19/26/22 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas

Snow Performance: N/A

Base price: $83,000 (not including $1475 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: 22-inch satin-finish alloy wheels ($1550), black roof ($1000), special color ($710), Cold Climate Pack ($640), LED headlamps ($600), full-size spare tire ($500), black veneer cabin accents ($410), WiFi data plan ($360)

Price as tested: $90,245

Quick Hits

The great: Upscale cabin, athletic moves, surprising fuel economy

The good: Premium ride quality, excellent outward visibility, roomy cabin, promise of off-road adventure

The not so good: Several glitches unbecoming a vehicle of this price

Tom Appel:

I would argue that no carmaker has done a better job of creating a design identity than Range Rover. The Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Velar enjoy a common look that is immediately recognizable from blocks away, and conveys a clear message about the vehicle’s premium trappings and rugged off-road potential.

Additionally, the vehicles are—subjective evaluation coming—fabulous looking, and generally seen in paint colors that are perfectly matched to the vehicles’ mission.

Redesigned for 2023, the Range Rover Sport continues in this tradition, and is arguably one of the best-looking new vehicles introduced in years. The midsize Sport slots in the Ranger Rover lineup between the larger Range Rover and compact Velar. As part of its ’23 update, the Sport enjoys not only fresh styling and updated technology, but a new powertrain than delivers surprising fuel economy. Sadly, not all the news is good, however. But the good stuff first…

For 2023 the Range Rover Sport has been completely redesigned, and includes the aforementioned design update, as well as a reimagined dash and infotainment interface that is cleaner and easier to use. The cabin too, is a little cleaner, looking a little less opulent, though no less high quality.

First Spin: Jeep Grand Cherokee L

There’s news under the hood, as well. Gone is the Sport’s base 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The standard engine is now Rover’s “Ingenium” turbocharged inline six mated to a 48-volt “mild” hybrid system. The engine produces 360 horsepower in the base SE, and 395 horsepower in the step-up SE Dynamic. The engines are dubbed P360 and P400 respectively.

First Look: 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer

Also available is the P440 eAutobiography, which features a 434-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain with an EPA-estimated 19 miles of electric-only range. And, for the power hungry, the top-of-the-line P530 First Edition boasts a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 with 523 horsepower. All Range Rover Sport models come with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD.

Consumer Guide recently spent a week with a 2023 Range Rover Sport SE in Goila Green and the extra-cost contrasting black roof. All in, our test vehicle came to $90,245. As noted early, the Ranger Rover Sport has presence, inside and out. And about that inside…

The Sport SE cabin is lined in leather with wool-like cloth door elements accented by piano-black and chrome trim. The effect is upscale, mature, and restrained. And, despite the business-like restraint of the interior, there is no question this is a premium-price vehicle.

The updated infotainment system is accessed via a large touchscreen displaying big, easy-to-understand icons and visually friendly color pallet. Climate controls are off the screen, operated primarily through two large rotary knobs.

The cabin is plenty spacious, and easy to access via generous door openings. On the road, the Range Rover Sport SE is both fun to drive and light on its feet. Ride and handling are both class leading, and the Sport is generally quiet at highway speeds, though not quite as quiet as similar size vehicles from, say, Lexus or German luxury brands.

On the move, the mild-hybrid six serves up plenty of power for passing and merging, and is quick to launch from a stop. Then engine, too, sounds good when pushed, emitting a sophisticated-sounding growl from under the hood, with a muted-but-sporty exhaust note capping the aural experience. Speaking of things aural, the standard Meridian auto system does an impressive job with mid-century American jazz.

As for fuel economy, over 359 miles of driving, 50 percent of which was on the highway, our test vehicle returned an outstanding 28.3 mpg. Very impressive given the sport’s power and heft.

As we noted earlier however, our experience with the Range Rover Sport was not entirely satisfying. To recap our issues as simply as possible, we made a list:

The Doors (part one)

No matter how far out a given door was opened when exiting the vehicle, they never remained locked in a fixed position. Instead, the doors quickly closed, complicating exiting, especially when carrying a package or two.

The Doors (part two)

No matter how hard a door was slammed shut, or how much said door appeared to be closed, it was likely to be reported on the instrument panel as open. This driver was forced to pull over and reclose doors after almost every stop. This was true of all four doors.

Test Drive: 2022 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury

The Shifter

The transmission gear selector frequently failed to act on attempts by this driver to engage either drive or reverse. Instead, a message appeared on the instrument panel reading “Reselect gear to maneuver.” Often reselecting the gear failed to engage the transmission, and multiple attempts were required to get underway. On one occasion, the Rover needed to be shut off and restarted to clear whatever software error was impeding movement.

The Engine/Transmission

While the Rover Sport’s engine is plenty strong, it does not provide smooth power at low speed. Moving from a stop, or crawling through stop-and-go traffic, the engine can be slow to respond to throttle inputs, while the transmission does more balky shifting then seems necessary. The result is a degree of clunkiness unbecoming a $90,000 luxury vehicle.

Parking Brake

Finally, the parking brake on our test vehicle self-engaged when parked—which is not necessarily a problem—but was difficult to disengaged. Often multiple attempts were required to release the brake before getting underway.

***

We’re not used to creating lists of test-car faults, largely because modern vehicles are generally so reliable. In this case, the problems with our test vehicle are especially disappointing given how appealing the Range Rover Sport is otherwise.

Whether or not our test vehicle was especially glitchy or not, we recommend careful consideration before the purchase or lease of the new Range Rover Sport. Yes, it’s incredibly attractive and fun to drive—and surprisingly fuel efficient—but the forbearance required to enjoy those virtues may be more than most owners will be ready to accept. That is, unless you can chalk the Rover’s flaws up as character, in which the Rover Sport is a hoot to drive.

Test Drive: 2023 BMW X7 M60i