2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid SUV

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport offers plenty of customization for its customers, with a considerably long list of powertrain options and packages to choose from, not to mention a similarly long list of trims as well. Nevertheless, the 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV is only offered in two trim levels of the five available, namely the HSE Silver Edition, and Autobiography trims. The rest of the trims are limited to the mild-hybrid engines or the infamous 5.0L V8. 

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The PHEV models of the Range Rover Sport are perplexing in the features and creature comforts on offer, with the cheaper HSE Silver Edition, trim offering four-zone climate control as opposed to the three-zone climate control in the Autobiography trim. However, if you look past the surface and read the fine print, you’ll notice the Autobiography trim is better suited towards those planning on driving themselves around, with ventilated seats offering much more adjustability and more luxurious leather, all while offering the best of the HSE Silver Edition too. 

Release Date

There is little official information available about the 2022 Range Rover Sport, although rumors suggest that the model will be released in late 2022. There is a slight possibility the PHEV model will be discontinued, but there are no confirmations regarding the same.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV offers their most advanced engine yet, according to the manufacturer’s website. An inline-4 acts as the base for an electrified engine that produces a strong 398 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque.

It is also worth mentioning that the torque is instantly available, even when at a standstill due to the nature of the 141 hp electric motors’ power delivery. Apart from putting out impressive power and torque figures, the engine is their most environmentally friendly powertrain to date and has an all-electric range of 19 miles as well, during which it runs at zero emissions. 

In the age of advanced electrified powertrains, the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid engine takes the top spot in terms of output figures, producing a whopping 455 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, both segment-leading figures. The Cayenne also does well to translate those figures into the best 0 to 60 timing in the segment, as well as the highest top speed. Volvo employs a similar approach as Land Rover in order to maximize fuel efficiency by employing a 2.0L inline-4 alongside the electric motor. The Volvo engine is slightly more powerful than that of the Range Rover Sport PHEV, although it has an electronically limited top speed of 112 mph. 

How does the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport handle?

Relative to the full-size Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport PHEV is certainly an upgrade with regards to driving characteristics, as it feels more planted at high speeds and through corners. While the weight of the Range Rover takes care of the former, it tends to waft around a bend or a corner. Not to say that it’s uncomfortable, but the Range Rover Sport has an urgency with which it attacks a corner, something that the full-size SUV doesn’t share.

When looked at individually, the Range Rover Sport PHEV starts to show its flaws, or imperfections rather. While it certainly drives more nimbly than you would expect, the handling is nowhere close to the likes of SUVs like the Cayenne or the X5, as there is an inclination towards providing comfort along with the luxurious tidbits in and around the cabin. That being said, it doesn’t lack the required levels of grip, and straight-line acceleration is commendable, especially when you think of the off-roading ability the 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV possesses.

2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV Braking Performance 

Along with its heavy curb weight and regenerative braking, the 2022 Range Rover Sport uses 15” and 14.4” disc brakes on the front and rear wheels respectively, to achieve a braking distance from 60 miles an hour to a halt in just 114 feet. The braking distance is quite impressive, but considering the fact that the full-size Range Rover can do the same maneuver over 97 feet, we expect a little more from the performance-oriented Range Rover Sport. 

The 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV has the largest brake disc rotors in the segment but fails to achieve the best 60-0 distance figure, despite not being the heaviest in the segment either. The Volvo XC90 Recharge is significantly lighter than the Range Rover Sport, so it achieves a better braking distance with smaller brake rotors. Judging by the curb weight and brake sizes on the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, it should have the best braking distance in the segment, although we cannot confirm that at this time.

This is an area where the gasoline-powered models of the 2022 Range Rover Sport lack. Even though the diesel engine options manage to offer better fuel economy than the mild-hybrid gas engines, only the hybrid inline-4 in the PHEV offers usable fuel economy, along with a decent 19-mile all-electric range. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV uses a frugal inline-4 combined with a decently powerful electric motor to good effect, but the large battery in the PHEV takes its own sweet time to charge, while the engine is in and of itself pretty rev-friendly. 

The lack of EPA estimates for the hybrid SUVs stands in the way of us knowing just how efficient these SUVs are, although judging by the combined 19 mpg figure of the 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV, the EPA estimates might just make the hybrid engines look bad. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV has an MPGe value of 42, which is also bested by the 2021 Volvo XC90 and its refined engine that posts much better mpg figures, along with 55 MPGe.

The interior of the Range Rover Sport is just as opulent as the interiors offered in the 2021 Range Rover. The design of the cabin exudes brilliant confidence, combining futuristic looks and premium materials for an upmarket experience.

It follows the typical design language of a Range Rover, offering both form and function with no compromise on either. The leather upholstery options are all of high quality. 

The 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV offers cramped interiors for an SUV of its size, although the cabin is designed superbly to make it look and feel more spacious than it actually is. It fails to provide segment-leading levels of space in headroom and legroom, although it does provide best-in-segment shoulder room in both of its seating rows. The Volvo XC90 Recharge offers the most front-seat headroom, while the BMW X5 PHEV is the most well suited towards accommodating taller passengers in the rear seating row. Land Rover hasn’t skimped out on offering features in the Range Rover Sport, some of which include:

• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Semi-aniline or Windsor leather upholstery 
• Front center console refrigerator
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Ambient Lighting 
• 22-way power-adjustable seats

2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV Infotainment

The futuristic design of the 2022 Range Rover Sport interiors comes as a result of two 10” touchscreens handling user inputs for the infotainment unit. The layout of the screens is perfect to look at, although when it comes to using the software has its fair share of bugs that need patching. Moreover, electronic failures have plagued the Jaguar Land Rover group for decades, and we don’t think incorporating two large touchscreens is the best way to go for the manufacturer. 

Also, the touchscreens can get tricky to use when on the go, as they require you to take your focus off the road. As for the whole infotainment unit, it offers excellent connectivity in the form of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is connected to a 19-speaker Meridian sound system in both PHEV trims. Highlights of the infotainment system include:

• 10.0-inch touchscreen(s)
• 19-speaker Meridian audio system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 
• Navigation capabilities with InControl support for finding EV charging stations

As luxurious as the Range Rover Sport is inside, it is equally attractive on the outside. Unlike its more conventional SUV brethren, the Range Rover Sport PHEV is more stanced to look sporty, although the PHEV models don’t get the more aggressive sporty accents like blacked-out rims, and there is a fair bit of chrome used for a more elegant look.

Unfortunately, there are no color-coded accents to make the 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV stand out for its hybrid engine, but it does get ‘hybrid’ badging. Despite a few differences from the Range Rover SUV, it is unmistakably a product of the same lineup.

According to exterior dimensions, the Range Rover Sport PHEV is every bit an SUV as the other vehicles offered by Land Rover. It boasts 8.4” of ground clearance and a very tall build with its height measuring at 71”. It is also the widest vehicle in the segment. Other than the Range Rover Sport, the Volvo XC90 Recharge stands out for its hefty dimensions, as it is the longest in its segment, and offers the best ground clearance and wheelbase too, although it probably wouldn’t fare well off-road, especially compared to the 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV. Standout exterior features include:

• Premium LED Headlights with Signature DRL
• Power Gesture Tailgate
• Sliding Panoramic Roof
• Power-folding, Heated Door Mirrors with Memory and Approach Lights
• Soft Close Doors

The NHTSA and IIHS websites don’t have any ratings for the 2022 Range Rover Sport, or for any model year in that regard. That doesn’t go to say that the SUV is unsafe for passengers, as it is probably due to cost constraints. Land Rover does well to offer plenty of driver assistance features along with some notable safety features to help you feel safe in the 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV. Some of these safety features include:

• Emergency Braking19
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Clear Exit Monitor
• Lane Keep Assist
• 360° Parking Aid with Surround Camera System
• Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter

2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV vs 2021 BMW X5 PHEV

The Range Rover Sport is a decent attempt at getting a little more performance out of a Land Rover SUV while instilling a bit of fun into the driving experience. However, the folks over at BMW started off with the performance and handling bit in mind, and the Range Rover Sport PHEV doesn’t come close to driving as well as the X5 PHEV does.

The BMW SUV is a lot more agile and feels much smaller to drive than it actually is, due to its eagerness to change directions, something that the 2022 Range Rover Sport PHEV just doesn’t share. 

2022 Land Rover Range Rover PHEV vs 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid is yet another performance-oriented machine, one that hails from the vehicle that gave rise to this segment when it was first released.

Offering car-like handling in an SUV body frame, the Cayenne is a one-of-a-kind SUV that still leads the industry when it comes to being the best in performance. The 0 to 60 and quarter-mile timings are unbeatable, and it would be able to give the BMW X5 PHEV a run for its money with regards to handling. Nevertheless, it isn’t capable of being as comfortable as the Range Rover Sport PHEV.

2022 Land Rover Range Rover PHEV vs 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge

The 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge swings the other way in terms of what you would expect from an SUV in this segment. Unlike the performance-oriented SUVs we’ve been comparing it to, it has an apparent focus on passenger comfort rather than handling and acceleration.

It is capable of going head to head with the Range Rover Sport PHEV in terms of comfort but fails to match its handling characteristics, even though they aren’t the best in the segment. Apart from comfort, it is more efficient and slightly more commodious too.

The all-new Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a well-rounded vehicle. It offers a comfortable ride, agile handling, impressive luxuries, and useful off-roading ability, all in one single package. While it fails to beat its competitors in any specific category, none offer levels of comfort that rival the Range Rover Sport PHEV if they handle well enough, while the other SUVs may handle better but aren’t exactly as comfortable. Following typical Range Rover philosophy, the Range Rover Sport PHEV is a new-age SUV that is true to its roots in offering everything that it does, along with decent driveability and towing capacity too.