2023 Range Rover Sport SE: 6 Key Insights

author: FutureCar Staff    

The 2023 Range Rover Sport maintains its position in the Range Rover lineup by offering a slightly smaller size, toned-down luxury, a more affordable price tag, and a sporty appearance. However, it is important to note that despite its sporty look, the Sport is not designed for intense corner-carving or track capabilities. For those discussions, the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV with its 626 horsepower and aggressive suspension and brake package would be more suitable.

Instead, the Range Rover Sport focuses on on-road refinement and occasional off-road adventures. The base SE trim, equipped with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, offers a true Range Rover experience at a price of $90,245 after options, which is more than $18,000 cheaper than the base Range Rover P400.

Here are six thoughts on the Range Rover Sport SE:

1. The interior is truly stunning. With minimalism and discrete luxury as its key features, the Range Rover Sport's cabin is a delight. The design is calming, with slab-sided paneling, artful control design, and a simple dashboard. The floating touchscreen serves as the control panel, and there are no overwhelming displays of wealth. The rich materials, such as supple leather, create a classy and timeless atmosphere.

2. The 3.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-six engine is sufficient, making 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The engine's sweet note and smooth shifts from the eight-speed automatic transmission make it a preferable choice over the optional V8. Additionally, the inline-six engine is the base engine for the Range Rover Sport, offering a good price and decent fuel economy.

3. The infotainment system is no longer a weakness for Land Rover. With the introduction of Pivi Pro, paired with a 13.1-inch central screen and a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster, the Range Rover Sport's infotainment system is enjoyable to use. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto seamlessly and competes with some of the best systems in the market.

4. Despite its name, the Range Rover Sport doesn't offer a particularly sporty driving experience. The "dynamic" air suspension prioritizes comfort over handling, resulting in slow steering and noticeable body roll. However, Land Rover offers performance options like rear-wheel steering and a 48-volt electronic active roll system to improve the Sport's sportiness.

5. The design of the Range Rover Sport is truly captivating. With a clean design, seamless body, flush door handles, and gorgeous taillights, it embodies the timeless SUV character while also feeling new and fresh. It is a splendid evolution of the traditional SUV shape paired with the sleekness of the Sport model.

6. The Range Rover Sport still retains all the off-road technologies for those who want to venture off the beaten path. It features air suspension for increased ground clearance, all-wheel drive as standard, wade-sensing software, off-road cameras, an electronic active differential, and the latest "Terrain Response" system from Land Rover. It even offers low-speed off-road cruise control for a more controlled off-roading experience.

In conclusion, the new Range Rover Sport is an exceptional luxury vehicle for on-road driving. It may not offer the dynamic performance of some competitors, but it compensates with its stylish design, luxurious interior, and the option for thrilling off-road adventures.

FutureCar Staff