Fit For Your Desires
Such vehicles are no longer seen as modes of transport. Rather, to exemplify your station in life and that your dreams and desires are fulfilled.
A Victory & Reseda Review of the 2023 Range Rover Sport
Desire is what drives humans towards seeking the unobtainable.
A vehicle becomes desirable based on the cache, the allure, and the price tag. Such vehicles are no longer seen as modes of transport. Rather, to exemplify your station in life and that your dreams and desires are fulfilled.
Range Rover is a brand that exemplifies a goal for those seeking the ultimate in a vehicle. It is an embodiment of luxury, performance, capability, and legend. This is not just exclusive to the flagship model – seen as a pinnacle vehicle for its many owners. Its cache is shared across all four of its vehicles.
The Range Rover Sport should not be seen as a shorter, two-row version of the larger flagship model. Over the years, it has become a vehicle that stood on its own merit. It continues to do so as a performance-oriented luxury SUV offering the finest the brand offers with an identity that is unique. This vehicle knows which customers it wants to drive it – humans who desire everything.
The newest Range Rover Sport is part of a transformation for the brand. A new design language that is future-forward while retaining the best of what makes each model special. That translates into a cleaner body surface for improved aerodynamics. Yet, the Range Rover Sport retains key model signatures that defines its identity, including a shorter length, a sporter roofline, and specific grille, headlamp and taillight treatments.
It all comes down to the details with the Range Rover Sport. The flush door handles pop out to open them. The horizontal taillights, front headlamp units and grille are seamlessly integrated onto the body’s overall shape. The Giola Green exterior color with a contrasting black roof is a standout feature, but it created a subtle incognito appearance to not be flashy and attention grabbing as other colors.
Even the 22-inch alloy wheels looked subtle. Not chrome-finished, but a satin tone that cools down the overall style of this Sport SE.
The subtlety theme continues into the cabin. It is an all-Ebony affair that sometimes gets a color change to the Giola Green. It’s an optical illusion, but a real sumptuous one. However, it is broken up by a very nicely done and formatted digital instrument cluster. This screen is clean, informative, and perfectly set up for your eyes to glimpse at it.
Ergonomically speaking, the Range Rover Sport’s cabin is clean and tidy. Controls work logically, some with a soft touch. The gear lever is a shift-by-wire type and is easily understood. The ignition button is on the center console. These details give this luxurious SUV the elevated feel you expect from its badge.
The new 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen on the center of the dashboard works beautifully – and quick. It can also tether your smartphone wirelessly and has a lovely interface that is easier to navigate. You are also entertained by a set of Meridian speakers with an elevated audio sound throughout its cabin.
The front seats felt firm, but they offer plenty of bolstering along with its soft-feel leather hides. Rear seat room is terrific and can accommodate many types of bodies. Cargo space is generous, with 31.9 cubic feet available behind the rear seats. That expands to 53 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.
There is only one driveline available for the Range Rover Sport. It is a powerful combination that starts with an Ingenium 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that is both turbocharged and supercharged. All told, it yields 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. This powerplant is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels. You can adjust your driving to the surface you are riding on through the Terrain Response 2 system for both on- and off-road driving.
The one thing you like about the Range Rover Sport is its smooth performance delivery. It just simply goes to highway speeds without any hesitation. It cruises very nicely, as well. Around town, it is equally poised. As for fuel economy, I averaged 25.3 MPG – a good number for this vehicle!
Another piece of the Range Rover Sport’s equation is its driving dynamics. The ride is super smooth, thanks mainly to its air suspension system. Handling is controlled with nice cornering at the limit.
If you keep the vehicle in Auto drive mode on the Terrain Response system, the steering’s on-center feel tends to be on the soft side. However, a flip of the knob to Dynamic mode will tighten up the steering system and add some weight to the system. Turns are of a good radius overall. The brake pedal felt light on occasion, but the system will return solid stops in normal and panic situations.
The Range Rover Sport in four trim levels, starting at $83,600. My SE tester came with a few packages, totaling up to a sticker price of $90,245.
There are some reasons why you should consider a Range Rover Sport. For one, you really don’t need a third row. You can get all of the luxury – mixed with the sportiness you expect in a more concentrated Range Rover – in a tech laden package that offers all the power and driving experience you desire.
While there are some two-row SUVs that offer more exclusivity at much higher price, the Range Rover Sport offers something that is more obtainable on a scalable level. You can send six figures for one, but the SE offers all the Range Rover Sport you really need.
Live your fantasy. Fulfill your desire. All you really need is this vehicle.
DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) North America
All photos by Randy Stern