Range Rover Sport 2022 Shotgun Review

Set to arrive Down Under in the final quarter, the new-from-the-ground-up 2022 Range Rover Sport (L461) will command a hefty price increase across the board, with Land Rover Australia already confirming the entry-level SE D250 will start from $139,160 plus on-road costs – almost $20K more than the current opening marker.

As well as the entry SE, the 2022 (MY23) Range Rover Sport will also be offered in Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography and flagship First Edition model grades, the latter combined only with the most powerful petrol and diesel powertrains.

So, what does the very cheapest SE version buy you? Quite a lot actually.

As standard, the base-model RR Sport comes with 21-inch rims, leather seats, 20-way electric seats, a premium sound system and full LED headlights.

The latest 13.1-inch infotainment system also comes free and is compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There’s also wireless phone charging and keyless entry plus a long list of driver assist aids that includes adaptive cruise with steering assist, lane keep assist, rear traffic and collision monitor and a 3D surround-view camera.

As far as hardware goes, the cheapest version misses out on a low-range transmission but gets air suspension, Terrain Response 2 and Trailer Stability Assist.

Full local specifications have yet to be released, but opt for the Dynamic HSE and the RR Sport wheels are upgraded to larger 22-inch rims.

The plusher model grade also adds softer semi-aniline leather seats (with ventilation), a more powerful sound system, a low-range transfer case, an electronic active rear differential and an electronically deployable tow bar. Land Rover’s ClearSight rear view-mirror is also standard.

Choose the plush Autobiography and there’s different 22-inch diamond-turned rims, 22-way heated and ventilated massaging seats, four-zone climate control, the extended leather pack, a suede-cloth headlining and power-recline rear seats.

Finally, the First Edition flagship comes with huge 23-inch wheels, premium ambient cabin lighting and plenty of parts from the Land Rover SV bespoke division.

Pricing for the D350 First Edition has been set at $196,359 plus ORCs, and while the order books are still to open for the P530 driven here, expect a circa-$18,000 premium for the V8 twin-turbo petrol as found in the bigger Range Rover.

That would see the top-shelf Range Rover Sport starting from about $215,000 plus ORCs.

Like other Land Rovers, plenty of options will be available to customise your Range Rover Sport to help you stand out from the crowd. Premium paint starts from $2220, but if you want the cool Elger Grey satin finish of the car we drove in, that will cost a hefty $13,531.

Other useful options include the $4150 twin 11.4-inch rear screens to keep the kids entertained and the $6414 1430W 29-speaker sound system to drown them out when World War III erupts in the second row.

On lower-spec models, the $690 high/low ratio transmission will also be a must for anyone who heads off-road.

What’s missing is a third row of seating. If you want seven seats, from now on you’ll have to spend more for the full-size Range Rover.

In Australia, the new Range Rover Sport will be protected by Land Rover’s comprehensive five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

A broad range of powertrains will be available in the 2022 Range Rover Sport, including a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with mild-hybrid tech (D250, D300, D350), a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid inline-six petrol (P360, P400), 3.0-litre plug-in hybrid straight-six (P510e) and a new BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 dubbed P530.

Beginning with the base D250, the most affordable diesel-powered Range Rover Sport produces 183kW and 600Nm of torque. With standard all-wheel drive, the D250 takes 8.0 seconds to sprint from 0-100km/h while being able to average 7.2L/100km.

The D300 shares the same 3.0-litre oiler but produces 221kW/650Nm and can reach 100km/h in just 6.6sec, matching the D250 for economy.

If that’s not quick enough, the most powerful diesel-powered D350 pumps out 258kW/700Nm and can launch itself from 0-100km/h in 5.9sec while being able to average the same 7.2L/100km.

The entry version of the 3.0-litre inline-six petrol (P360) produces 265kW/500Nm, which is enough for a brisk 0-100km/h dash of 6.0sec.

Faster still is the P400 that pushes out 294kW/550Nm and can hit 100km/h in just 5.7sec. Both the P360 and P400 models are claimed to average 9.4L/100km.

An intriguing new option for those who want both efficiency and performance is the new P510e PHEV that combines the 3.0-litre inline-six with a 105kW electric motor and a 38.2kWh battery.

The latter provides for an impressive 125km range of pure-electric power alone, while combined total power is 375kW. That translates into a 0-100km/h dash of just 5.4 seconds.

Finally, until the high-performance SVR replacement arrives, there’s the choice of the flagship P530.

Replacing Jaguar Land Rover’s old supercharged 5.0-litre V8, the fastest Range Rover Sport features a 4.4-litre biturbo V8 that produces 390kW/750Nm – enough for a rapid 4.5sec 0-100km/h dash.

It’s not easy assessing a car’s dynamic attributes when you’re not behind the wheel. But it speaks volumes that Land Rover is so excited about the upcoming launch of its 2022 Range Rover Sport that, while supercars roared up the Goodwood Festival of Speed’s famous hill climb, the British car-maker laid on two examples of the new Rangie Sport for hot laps at the nearby Goodwood Motor Circuit.

Measuring 3.8km long, Goodwood is a traditional fast-flowing circuit that’s more in touch with historic racers than two-tonne-plus SUVs.

That said, as newly instated vehicle engineering boss Matt Becker flattens the throttle out of the pits, the former Lotus and Aston Martin chassis guru shows little indication he’s intimidated by the chronic lack of run-off.

Acceleration is predictably strong, as it is in the bigger Range Rover, with the same BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet.

Becker’s arrival meant he’s actually had little to do with the core development of the Range Rover Sport, but has been heavily involved with its fine-tuning, which includes making multiple adjustments to the adaptive dampers to improve ride and handling.

Speaking of ‘handling’, it doesn’t take long before JLR’s chief engineer is demonstrating just how big a step forward the Range Rover Sport is over its predecessor as he turns the P530 into the first high-speed right-hander at three-figure speeds.

Showing a commendable lack of roll, the Range Rover Sport tips into the corner and carries impressive speed.

Helping boost agility in our car is the optional Stormer Handling Pack, which adds active anti-roll bars, an electronic limited-slip differential, extra torque vectoring and rear-steer.

The next right-hander Becker even manages to coax the British brand’s new rival for the Porsche Cayenne into a small drift, briefly balancing the SUV on the throttle before the relentless pace continues.

Curiously, despite showing impressive agility, well controlled levels of roll and blistering levels of performance, it’s worth pointing out that Land Rover is readying an even faster, more athletic Range Rover Sport SV to replace the old Sport SVR.

The SV is expected to boast an even more powerful version of the BMW V8 and a stiffer, more focused suspension tune.

According to Becker, key to unlocking the extra level of handling finesse is the new MLA Flex architecture underpinning the RR Sport, which provides body rigidity akin to a sports car.

It has also allowed the introduction of JLR’s Integrated Chassis Control tech that can handle up to 500 complex calculations every second, pre-arming the air suspension, dampers and active anti-roll bars for what’s to come.

Feeling closer to a sports sedan than ever before through Goodwood’s chicane, it’s time to ease off the pace and do a little off-roading.

Becker admits the gravel roads and slippery grass hills we traverse prove little challenge, but is keen to point out how his engineers have “backed off” the way the suspension deals with bumpier roads for a better, more comfortable ride.

Fine-tuning has also been key to achieving the right balance, which has been much easier since over-the-air-updates were introduced.

Our brief passenger ride ends with the impression that in its bid to broaden its dynamic envelope to help the Range Rover Sport pinch sales from the Porsche Cayenne, Land Rover hasn’t been prepared to compromise either its ride or off-road ability.

Land Rover is bullish when it comes to the all-new 2022 Range Rover Sport, claiming it will be both the most dynamic and capable vehicle it’s ever made.

After a couple of hot laps and light off-roading in the P530 V8, it’s hard not to argue that the core model does indeed feel far more athletic than its predecessor.

Of course, we’ll reserve judgement until we’ve properly sampled it both on and off the road, but following our recent drive of the closely related Range Rover, the prospects are good.

Throw in its advanced new tech, classier cabin and smart new design and the new-generation Range Rover Sport could well be judged the best model in the British brand’s stable.

But only time will tell…

How much does the 2022 Range Rover Sport First Edition P530 cost?
Price: $215,000 estimated (plus on-road costs)
Available: Final quarter 2022
Engine: 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol
Output: 390kW/750Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.2L/100km (WLTP)
CO2: 254g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested