Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is an executive luxury sports SUV under Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) Land Rover brand. First launched in 2005, it is the second model in the Range Rover family. As of June 2026, the model on sale is the annual model-year update of the third generation (L461) first introduced in 2022. In China, the vehicle is fully imported and marketed by Jaguar Land Rover China.

Model Overview

Slotted between the flagship Range Rover and the Range Rover Evoque, the Range Rover Sport's key appeal lies in blending the marquee's signature luxury and all-terrain prowess with road-biased dynamic handling, establishing itself as a pioneer in the sports luxury SUV segment. On 26 March 2026, the 2026 Range Rover Sport officially debuted in the Chinese market with four variant trims, priced between RM898,000 and RM1,950,000. Configured as a five-seater, the SUV measures 4,946 mm in length, 2,047 mm in width, and 1,820 mm in height, with a 2,997 mm wheelbase.

Design Language

The exterior styling of the Range Rover Sport retains the iconic DNA of the Range Rover family while incorporating more aggressive, athletic details. Up front, it features the brand's signature inverted trapezoidal grille with gloss-black honeycomb mesh, flanked by darkened, slim LED headlamp clusters. The iconic floating roof design and flush deployable door handles are carried over. At the rear, the SUV sports darkened slim tail lamps alongside a dual-exhaust system with twin integrated tailpipes.

Inside, the cabin embraces a minimalist aesthetic, featuring a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a floating central touchscreen. The dashboard retains a clean T-shaped architecture with a distinct layered layout. The 2025 and subsequent model-year revisions further elevate the "reductive design" philosophy by integrating most vehicle controls directly into the central touchscreen, while the lower console combines premium open-pore wood trim, piano black accents, and carbon-fibre inlays to underscore its luxury credentials. Upholstery options include premium Windsor and Semi-Aniline leather.

Powertrain and Performance

The 2026 Range Rover Sport comes standard across the range with a petrol mild-hybrid (MHEV) powertrain paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The model line-up is offered in three performance tiers:

• 360PS S (RM898,000): Powered by a PT306 3.0-litre turbocharged and electric supercharged inline-six engine, producing 265 kW (360 PS / 360 hp) and 500 N·m of torque. It completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.0 seconds with a top speed of 225 km/h and a WLTC rated fuel consumption of 9.6 L/100 km.

• 400PS Dynamic SE and 400PS AB (RM988,000 / RM1,198,000): Utilises a higher-output tune of the same 3.0-litre engine, delivering 294 kW (400 PS / 400 hp) and 550 N·m of torque. The 0-100 km/h century sprint drops to 5.5 seconds, top speed increases to 242 km/h, while fuel consumption remains rated at 9.6 L/100 km under WLTC.

• 4.4 V8 SV (RM1,950,000): Equipped with a BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, developing a potent 467 kW (635 PS / 635 hp) and 750 N·m of torque. This flagship variant completes the 0-100 km/h run in just 3.8 to 3.9 seconds.

Additionally, selected global and domestic markets offer a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant, the P550e, combining a 3.0-litre twin-charged engine with an electric motor on the front axle for a total system output of 550 PS and 800 N·m of torque, offering an electric-only driving range of up to 112 km under the WLTC cycle.

Chassis and Handling

Built on Land Rover's advanced lightweight aluminium architecture, the chassis features premium lightweight alloy construction. A twin-chamber, dual-valve dynamic air suspension system comes standard, adjusting damping in real time according to road conditions and selected drive modes to balance high-speed composure with off-road ride comfort. The SUV also features the Stormer Handling Pack, which includes all-wheel steering (offering up to 7.3 degrees of rear-wheel steering angle) and electronic active roll control to enhance low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability.

All variants come standard with full-time intelligent all-wheel drive featuring a multi-plate clutch centre differential. For extreme terrains, the SUV is equipped with Land Rover's signature Terrain Response® 2 system, which automatically configures settings for Comfort, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl. The vehicle boasts exceptional off-road geometry: an approach angle of 33°, a departure angle of 29.8°, a ramp breakover angle of 25.2°, a ground clearance of 278 mm, and a class-leading wading depth of up to 900 mm.

Cabin and Features

On the tech front, the Range Rover Sport features a 13.7-inch fully digital interactive driver display and a 13.1-inch curved floating touchscreen powered by the InControl OS 2.0 infotainment suite. The system supports dual-zone voice control and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity. A second-generation high-definition full-colour Head-Up Display (HUD) is also available as an option.

In terms of cabin amenities, the 2026 model receives subtle equipment upgrades. The Dynamic SE variant, for instance, gains 23-inch alloy wheels, deployable side steps, and a heated steering wheel with memory settings. Front occupants enjoy 22-way power-adjustable seats with memory, heating, massage, and ventilation functions alongside winged comfort headrests, while the rear seats feature power-recline, heating, and ventilation. The range-topping Autobiography (AB) variant adds 30-colour ambient lighting and enhanced rear seating amenities. High-end audio is provided by a premium Meridian surround sound system.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Range Rover Sport meets top-tier standards in active safety and driver assistance, equipped with a comprehensive Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Key driver aids include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. For effortless parking, it includes a 540-degree surround-view camera with a ClearSight Ground View (transparent bonnet/chassis) display. Higher trims offer optional comprehensive driving and automated parking packages. Passive safety is well-covered with multi-airbag coverage and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). In ANCAP safety testing, the Range Rover Sport achieved a maximum five-star safety rating (2022 protocol).

Market Performance and Reception

The Range Rover Sport continues to deliver strong commercial performance worldwide. According to JLR financial reports, annual wholesale deliveries for the Range Rover Sport rose by 19.7% year-on-year. Alongside the flagship Range Rover and Defender, these three key nameplates accounted for 76.7% of JLR's total wholesale volume. In the Chinese market, with prices spanning from near RM900,000 to RM1,950,000, the 2026 line-up provides a well-rounded portfolio covering entry luxury, performance-focused trims, high-spec comfort, and top-tier V8 performance.

Since its inception in 2005, the Range Rover Sport has evolved across three generations. The first-generation model (L320), built on the Discovery 3 platform, dismantled the old convention that luxury SUVs had to choose between plush comfort and rugged capability; the second-generation (L494) adopted an all-aluminium monocoque body, shedding significant weight while sharpening handling; and the third-generation (L461) brings electrified mild-hybrid powertrains and advanced chassis dynamics. Motoring reviewers note that while the Range Rover Sport faces direct competition from the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7, its 900 mm wading capability and sports-tuned chassis allow it to blend potent tarmac performance with genuine go-anywhere capability, carving out a distinct niche. Land Rover has confirmed that an all-electric Range Rover Sport will officially arrive in 2027.