Range Rover Sport PHEV 2020 Tow Test
The Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid might be a clean-living luxury SUV, but can it get down and dirty when it comes to lugging a heavy trailer?While diesel engine technology hasn’t ridden into a particulate-haze sunset just yet, there appears to be a growing trend for petrol-electric hybrids to slip into the engine bay of the kind of SUV you might consider for towing duties. One such vehicle is the Range Rover Sport PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). Can the Range Rover successfully tick off the requirements for economy and clean emissions while also being an effective tow vehicle?
Weighing it up
The plug-in hybrid electric version of the Range Rover Sport was introduced as part of a mid-life overhaul to the range in 2018.
The Range Rover Sport will again be refreshed in 2021, with new six-cylinder diesels headlining the upgrade. However, the Range Rover Sport P400e tested here as a MY20.5 will continue essentially unchanged in 2021, with the exception of a new standard feature: cabin air ionisation.
Standard equipment highlights for the MY20.5 Range Rover Sport P400e SE include a dual-range transmission, electronic air suspension, fixed panoramic roof, power-fold, heated and (driver’s side) auto-dimming exterior mirrors, leather trim, heated seats front and rear (electric adjustment up front), powered ‘gesture’ tailgate, keyless entry and LED headlights.
Options on the test vehicle included the $4048 Driver Assist Pack (which includes clear exit monitor, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, park assist, 360-degree parking aid and rear traffic monitor), 16-way memory front seats ($4570), Byron Blue metallic paint ($2200) and the towing pack ($1860).
No-cost options fitted were the 21-inch gloss black alloy wheels and black exterior pack.
So from a base price of $134,166 plus on-road costs, with options fitted the total as-tested price was $146,844 plus ORCs.
Protection and tech
The 2020 Range Rover Sport SE’s driver assistance technology includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), low-traction launch, lane departure warning, roll stability control, cornering brake control, hill launch and descent, gradient release, gradient acceleration controls and trailer stability assist.
These safety systems come in addition to a brace of airbags, electronic traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, cruise control, front and rear parking aids and a rear-view camera.
Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming and smartphones runs through the 10-inch multi-screen infotainment touch-screen that encompasses satellite navigation, DAB digital radio, Wi-Fi hotspot and voice activation.
Connectivity for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is included, and the audio system is a Meridian 825W surround-sound set-up with 19 speakers.
This extensive bunch of technology appears to work as it should – which is not always the case. That is, we encountered no unfounded warnings for lane departure or the AEB system, and the touch-screen menus are mostly intuitive.
Like any such touch-screen, the ease in which it attracts dust and greasy fingerprints is duly noted. No doubt boffins somewhere are working on a dust-free, smear-free screen.
Get up and go
The 2020 Range Rover Sport PHEV’s official combined-cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are listed at just 2.8L/100km and 64g/km respectively.
There’s also an all-electric driving range of 51km and a fast-charging time of two hours and 45 minutes. The 85kW AC electric motor is powered by a 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery.
The Sport hybrid is not lacking for performance; its claimed 6.3sec 0-100km/h time seems about right, and it feels responsive anywhere, anytime.
Fuel economy on test, in a mix of urban traffic and rural driving, averaged 5.8L/100km.
While tow testing, the 34km battery range at the start of the test dropped down to zero electric-only range 20km later. Average towing fuel consumption was 12.9L/100km, which is quite good for a 2.5-tonne SUV towing a 2000kg caravan.
Based on our figures, with its 91-litre fuel tank, you’d be able to tow for 655km (with a 50km safety margin) before having to refuel.
On the road again
The 2020 Range Rover Sport PHEV has enough space and plenty of comfort inside for four adult occupants, or five at a stretch.
Despite the model being seven years old, there has been enough updates to not only keep it looking fresh, but it imbues a sense of luxury and style.
The minor irritations of this interior are that the infotainment screens become dusty quickly and the sweeping A-pillar design can make it a bit awkward getting in and out of the driver’s seat if you’ve set the seat to your driving position and you’re short of stature.
The hybrid powertrain works without fuss, although power delivery through the dual-range transmission is not without some jerkiness when manoeuvring in tight parking situations. The transmission is a ZF epicyclic automatic, but with a twin-plate clutch pack in lieu of a torque converter, to decouple the engine from the final drive system.
Towing capacity is 2500kg with a maximum 350kg on the tow ball and a gross combined mass (GCM) of 5700kg.
We picked up a Millard MFlow from RV Connection in St Marys, New South Wales, to tow behind the Sport. The Millard weighed 2022kg and had a 171kg tow ball download.
The Sport has a lower rear bumper fascia that is easily removed to reveal the tow bar hitch receiver hidden behind it. The tow bar hitch itself appears to be a little too short, because when you attach a trailer coupling it sits very close to the bumper. It would be easy to damage when hitching up.
The Sport has effortless performance when towing, settling in to a 100km/h highway cruise without fuss and climbing our 90km/h test hill at the posted limit with just one-third throttle input.
On the descent, the Sport pegged speed easily, maintaining the 70km/h start speed holding fourth gear with the tacho showing 2800rpm.
While the air suspension’s Comfort mode offered a lush, supple ride when unladen, it was too soft when towing; the fore/aft pitching was very obvious on undulating secondary roads.
Switching the suspension into Auto mode gave a much more controlled ride without sacrificing comfort.
The final say
The 2020 Range Rover Sport PHEV’s powertrain is not always cohesive in parking or stop-start situations, and the tow bar position so close to the bumper seems an oversight.
Yet this is a comfortable and quick luxury SUV that offers excellent performance and fuel economy when towing or not.
How much does the 2020 Range Rover Sport P400e SE cost?
Price: $134,166 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric hybrid
Output: 221kW (engine), 85kW (electric motor), 297kW/640Nm (total)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 2.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 64g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
- Strong performance with and without the van hitched
- Economy of less than 13L/100km on test - not bad for a 2.5-tonne SUV towing a 2000kg caravan
- Interior presentation imbues a sense of luxury and style
- Tow bar position is too close to the bumper, making it easy to damage when hitching up
- Clunky dual-clutch automatic transmission
- Towing ride in Comfort mode prone to fore/aft pitching
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
