2025 RANGE ROVER SPORT

IF YOU ARE GOING MOUNTAIN CLIMBING, YOU MAY AS WELL GO IN COMFORT AND STYLE

My first experience with a Land Rover model came a little over 20 years ago at a preview of its Discovery SUV at the automaker’s off-roading school in Vermont.

 

After wrapping some sandwiches in tin foil and placing them on the Discovery’s engine manifold to heat them up for lunch, we took off and headed for the nearby Green Mountains.

There we got off the highway and began a climb up a ski trail. At the mountain’s summit, we paused for our lunch, either the warmed up roast beef sandwich or another prepared offering, and then began the trek down the ski trail we had just traversed making good use of the Hill Descent Control.

For the record, no skiers were harmed in the making of this adventure. This was in the summer and there was no snow either.

I have had numerous opportunities for off-roading experiences since then but not in Vermont and not with the Discovery, which is nearing the end of its fifth generation. And no ski trails.

Of course, you don’t have to go mountain climbing to enjoy getting behind the wheel of an SUV from Land Rover such as the Range Rover Sport that this review covers, but it’s nice to know if you want to run up a mountain — and you can find one — you can.

The 2025 Range Rover Sport is — as the name might suggest — a somewhat sportier and smaller version of the Land Rover’s flagship Range Rover SUV, but is no less capable and luxurious. It’s a versatile vehicle with a wide range of powertrains with 6-cylinder and V8 power and even a pair of plug-in hybrid drivetrains among the options..

Each of the gas-engine models are also mild-hybrid. A small electric motor provides a boost to the engine but, unlike the plug-in hybrid, its purpose is only to assist the gas engine, not to drive the vehicle’s wheels.

The 2025 Range Rover Sport comes in basic three trim levels with the base SE model getting performance upgrades the company dubs “Dynamic,” essentially resulting in three other trims. There is also a supercharged SV version with 635-horsepower engine and a $180,000-plus price tag.

The 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography models also bears a V8 that offers 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque and will get you moving from zero-to-60 mph in under five seconds, according to Land Rover.

That engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with a 2-speed transfer case for your adventures on the trail. Comfort, Dynamic, and Eco modes lets you choose your driving experience.

Fuel efficiency ratings — if you can call them that — are 16 miles-per-gallon city, 23 highway, and 19 combined on premium fuel. According to the government, that means you will spend $7,250 more over a 5-year period than you would over the average new vehicle.

Inside the 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography you’ll find lots of infotainment and tech features that operate only off the large touchscreen that dominates the center stack. There are no buttons or knobs to make it easy to adjust the radio and climate controls.

If you can hunt down those systems behind the various interfaces, you’ll find a Meridian Premium Sound System, navigation, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among the features. 

Standard safety features include blind-spot warning, a surround view monitor, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, park assist, rear traffic monitor, and lane-keeping assist.

The starting price for the 2025 Range Rover Sport Autobiography is $125,025 including the destination and delivery charge. My test model added just a few options that ran the final total to $130,110.

What I liked about the 2025 Range Rover Sport: The interior is classy, roomy, and comfortable. Lots of choices are offered when it comes to the . The 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 packs plenty of punch to move its nearly three tons of body weight. The two-tone exterior gives it a distinctive profile. Cargo capacity with the second-row seats in place is generous (31.9 cubic feet).

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Range Rover Sport: Land Rover has eliminated buttons completely and getting to the proper setting on the large touchscreen to operate infotainment features can be a chore.  Pricing is on the high side in the segment, especially for the Autobiography trim.

Would I buy the 2025 Range Rover Sport? The Autobiography trim that served as my test vehicle carries a hefty price tag. Three of the four lower trims fill most wants when it comes to performance and luxury features while keeping pricing in the high five figures.