The latest lux EV is coming soon. The Range Rover Sport Electric will hit Australian shores in March 2027 and we had a brief taster at the global launch.
Beneath the skin, the Range Rover Sport is almost identical to the similarly sized Range Rover, sharing the same MLA Flex platform, powerful 800-volt hardware, battery and drive units.
All developed in-house, despite being based on an architecture chiefly designed to house petrol or diesel power, engineers claim the EV with a big battery weighs the same as the plug-in hybrid version.
Borrowing an approach taken with the flagship model, there are few visual tell-tales you're looking at the all-electric Sport, unless you spot the closed-off grille and fresh wind-cheating 22-inch wheels.
What's under the Range Rover Sport Electric's bonnet?
Just one powertrain will be offered with the Sport Electric when sales start early next year, the same set-up as the large Range Rover EV producing an identical 404kW of power which is joined by a muscular 850Nm torque peak.
That translates to a reasonable 0-100km/h dash of 4.5 seconds, which is a bit behind rivals like the Porsche Cayenne S (3.8 seconds).
The 118.5kWh battery doesn't come close to matching the forthcoming long-legged BMW iX5 (845km), but the 600km claimed NEDC figure beats the Cayenne S (571km, WLTP), especially when the Brit firm insists you can travel up to 536km in the real world.
Plug it in and, thanks to those punchy 800-volt electrics, a 10-to-80 per cent top-up takes around 22 minutes, which isn't bad, but its 350kW peak charging is some way off the 460kW rate a BMW iX5 is capable of.
After ten minutes, up to 220km of range can be added, says the Brit brand. This is decent, but can't match the 350km added in the BMW iX5 – but crucially – only if you can find a fast enough charger.
Use the standard 22kW AC charger and a 0-100 per cent top-up takes less than eight hours.
Differences between this and other Range Rover models
Like the Range Rover, there's no frunk to stow cables, but at least the 647-litre boot is large enough.
Since there's so much in common between the Range Rover and the Sport, engineers have gone to greater lengths to distance the two models in the way they drive.
That explains why it sports active anti-roll bars and firmer air suspension spring rates that are missing on its sibling, curbing body lean and providing a fractionally less cosseting ride but introducing sharper steering and better body control
Compared with the regular combustion-powered version, it also helps that the battery pack mounted between the axles drag the overall centre of gravity down by 75mm.
What's the 2027 Range Rover Sport Electric like on the road?
Behind the wheel, the Range Rover Sport instantly feels more engaging than its sister car but equally smooth and quiet, with plenty of performance available thanks to its instant torque.
Land Rover hasn't bothered with a pair of paddles to alter brake regeneration. Instead there is light or standard regen, plus a one-pedal mode for those who live in town.
The latter is also useful for those who go off-roading as it allows you to climb over large rocks or traverse inclines without having to juggle two pedals.
Even without locking differentials or a low-range gearbox, the Sport is claimed to go just as far in the rough as its combustion siblings, with torque carefully measured out up to 100 times quicker than a V8's hardware could.
Wading through deep rivers remains pegged at an identical 900mm. The EV could submerge even deeper, thanks to a waterproofed battery, motors and inverters, but then water would start flooding through the air vents.
While claimed to go further off-road than rivals, the Range Rover Sport is still ultimately outdriven back on road by the Porsche Cayenne Electric when it comes to thrills behind the wheel.
The Porsche can also tow up to 3500kg with the towing package versus the Range Rover Sport's disappointing 2500kg, but we think many will still prefer the comfort and quiet of the Brit.
Inside, the Sport still provides for a towering driving position and an impressive mixture of quality materials, aside from the black centre console, which is beginning to feel its age and is at odds with its high price of admission.
In comparison, the Cayenne, feels much more modern and boasts plentiful physical switchgear to aid ease-of-use.
2027 Range Rover Sport Electric pricing
In Australia, the Range Rover Sport will be available with Dynamic HSE or Autobiography trims.
The entry model is likely to come with the following:
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Meridian 3D surround sound system
- Soft semi-aniline leather 20-way-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats
- Head-up display
The Autobiography will add:
- Upgraded headlights
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- 22-way-adjustable massage chairs
- Heated and ventilated rear seats
The Range Rover Sport Electric has yet to be crash tested, but the combustion versions were rated the full five stars for protection by both EuroNCAP and ANCAP back in 2022.
The large luxury SUV comes with Land Rover's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and eight-year/160,000km protection for the high-voltage battery.
Expect the Range Rover Sport to come with the option of pre-purchased, fixed-price servicing for up to five years.
The Range Rover Sport Electric has been priced from $226,518 for the Dynamic HSE, and $249,518 for the flagship Autobiography, with all pricing excluding on-road costs.
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Verdict
Our brief stint behind the wheel revealed that the new Range Rover Sport Electric misses out on being the best-driving large SUV by some margin to the Porsche Cayenne Electric.
It's neither the fastest-charging nor has the longest range in its class, being humbled by the new BMW iX5.
The limited towing capacity is another bugbear compared to the Porsche, but the battery-powered Range Rover Sport still has much to offer new buyers seduced by the idea of life with a zero-emission luxury SUV.
It remains good-to-drive, comfortable, smooth and a refined all-electric family wagon that should be capable of going far further off-road than either of its fresher German opposition.
With its current pricing, the new addition to the Brit brand's line-up is also a substantial $91,000 cheaper than the flagship Range Rover Electric, which makes the better-driving Sport, that shares all its tech almost look good value.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer with accommodation and meals provided.
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