We live in uncertain times. The last time I drove a Range Rover Sport PHEV (plug-in hybrid), two years ago, the big story was how it was future-proof.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB)'s much-discussed target of having only zero-emission new vehicles for sale by 2035 has a key carve-out: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that can go more than 50 miles on a charge before the gasoline/electric hybrid system takes over can still be sold.
And the 2023 Range Rover Sport PHEV could do 51. Since then, it looked like the U.S. government might adopt the CARB standard nationwide (possibly with a later deadline), but there was this election you may have heard of, and....
Who knows? But here's the thing: Whether the folks in power decide that the standard lives or dies, the Range Rover Sport PHEV's tech is still a very good thing for anyone who owns one. In fact, it's a very good reason to buy one.
For 2025, the Range Rover Sport PHEV can go 53 miles on a charge. That's a big deal. A 53-mile roundtrip commute (26.5 miles each way) can be done without using a drop of gasoline or putting a particle of pollution in the air. Charge it every night at home, and it can take months to drain the 18.9 gallon fuel tank. Even in gasoline/electric hybrid mode, the Range Rover Sport PHEV gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined city/highway. Based on how a typical American drives, the Environmental Protection Agency determines how much more or less a given vehicle will incur in fuel costs, compared to the average new vehicle.
A gasoline-powered Range Rover Sport is predicted to cost $5,500 more to fuel over five years than the average new vehicle.
A Range Rover Sport PHEV? $250 less than the average new vehicle over five years.
That means choosing the Range Rover Sport PHEV over the gasoline-powered Range Rover Sport saves you $5,750 in fuel costs over five years.
In the bargain, you also get the most powerful version of the Range Rover Sport---542 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Zero to 60 happens in 4.7 seconds. That's muscle-car performance---matching a 1967 427 Corvette, within a tenth of a second of the 1964 Pontiac GTO and just two-tenths slower than a '63 Shelby Cobra. And you get it while saving fuel. All in a vehicle that can conquer just about any terrain you steer it toward.
There's 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats. Fold those and you get 53.0.
Rear seat legroom is better than adequate, at 37.8 inches.
The 2025 Range Rover Sport PHEV comes only in the top-level Autobiography trim. Base price is $118,700 ($120,325 with destination), and that brings with it a hefty list of standard features: Twin-speed transfer case, Terrain Response 2 with selectable driving and off-road modes, low traction launch, hill control, dyamic air suspension, Dynamic Response Pro, automatic access height, adaptive dynamics, electronic active differential with torque vectoring by braking, all-wheel steering, 22-inch alloy wheels, a reduced section spare tire, pixel LED headlights with signature DRL, automatic high-beam assist, front fog lights, black brake calipers, a black contrast roof, a powered tailgate, deployable door handles, soft door close, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a rear wiper, auto-dimming (for the driver's side), power-folding heated exterior door mirrors with memory and approach lights, semi-aniline leather seats, SV Bespoke full leather upgrade and carpet mats, suedecloth headliner, a four-zone climate control with Cabin Air Purification Pro, air quality sensing, a sliding panoramic roof with power sunblind, solar-attenuating windscreen, rear privacy glass, power heated and ventilated massaging front seats with driver and passenger memory, power-reclining heated and ventilated rear seats, a heated steering wheel with power column, bright metal pedals, scripted illuminated treadplates, a front console refrigerator compartment, illuminated seat belt buckles, head-up display, a 13.1-inch touchscreen, a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM with 360L, wireless device charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, USB, a Meridian 3D surround sound system, configurable cabin lighting, twin-blade sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, keyless entry with walk-away locking and approach unlocking, pushbutton start, Homelink and a comprehensive suite of active safety features.
You might think there'd be nothing left in the Range Rover parts department after all that.
You'd be wrong. Our test vehicle did have some extra-cost options:
An upgraded Meridian Signature sound system: $4,500.
Carpathian Grey paint: $1,750.
23-inch diamond-turned wheels with Gloss Dark Grey contrast: $1,100.
Premium Interior Protection & Storage Pack: $450.
Cold Climate Pack (heated windscreen and washer jets): $450.
Basic Rear Seat Convenience Pack: $225.
Red brake calipers: $185.
Emergency Pack: $75.
Range Rover Handover Pack: $65.
That puts the bottom line on the window sticker at $129,680.
The Range Rover Sport PHEV may not be a bargain---but I'll argue that it is a value. A desirable object that can smoke a '68 Charger with a 426 Hemi while helping to save the planet?
Sold.
