Can you order a 2023 Range Rover?

After their military vehicles enjoyed a good bout of service in WWII, Land Rover wanted to expand their horizon and put together something for the average consumer. They thought, "what would it be like if a vehicle had all the capabilities of a proper off-roader, while also being as luxurious as an old-fashioned limousine?" The end-result was the Range Rover, which launched in 1970, and it quickly went on to become one of the most successful nameplates in automotive history.

Fast-forward to the 2000s, and Land Rover began transforming the Range Rover into its own sub-brand. The first spin-off model to wear the Range Rover name was the Sport, a smaller, more road-focused version. For the 2023 model year, the Sport enters its third generation, and it's looking better than ever.

Note: While we wait for official word from consumers on the upcoming Range Rover Sport, HotCars' 'Costs, Facts, And Figures' rating defaults to 1 out of 10. Once we start fielding what owners think of this upcoming vehicle, we'll be sure to update the score to reflect what drivers think.

Key Features

• New platform
• Electrified powertrains
• New tech

Specifications

• Model: Range Rover Sport
• Engine/Motor: 3.0-liter I6 / 3.0-liter PHEV I6 / 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8
• Horsepower: 355-523 hp
• Torque: Unknown
• Drivetrain: AWD
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Range: Up to 48 miles (PHEV)

Pros

• Promised genuine off-road capability
• New MLA Flex platform
• PHEV and upcoming EV powertrains

Cons

• Styling won't be to everyone's taste
• The upper scale trims get very expensive
• Interior doesn't seem to be the best ergonomically

Overview Of The 2023 Range Rover Sport

Land Rover

Land Rover first introduced the Range Rover Sport in 2004, and the second generation arrived in 2014. The latest generation is, once again, more evolutionary than revolutionary, but underneath the new bodywork, there are some pretty major changes, like the full-size Rangie introduced last year. The new Sport moves to an all-new architecture, dubbed MLA Flex. It's more rigid, while also being lighter, and it offers hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

While it's not strikingly different on the outside, you can definitely tell that this is a new model, and not just a facelift. A fantastic example of minimalist design. The front-end gets much slimmer headlights, and, unusually for a new model, a smaller grille up top. Range Rover is still spelled out on the hood, and the lower air intakes also get a redesign. The side profile is similar, but it now also includes the flush-fitted door handles, as well as a whole array of new alloy wheel designs, which go up to 23" in diameter. The rear features an all-new taillight design, with a black bar dividing the two light pieces in the middle. The 2023 Range Rover Sport debuts in four trim levels: the SE, the Dynamic SE, the Autobiography, and the First Edition launch model. It's going into battle with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, the Lincoln Aviator with all of its cool features, the Audi Q7, and the Jaguar F-Pace.

2023 Range Rover Sport Powertrains And Drivetrains

Thanks to the new MLA Flex architecture, Land Rover now offers an updated, electrified powertrain lineup for the 2023 Sport. The range kicks off with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 355 hp and mild hybrid tech, dubbed the P360. This same engine also comes in a 395 hp flavor, dubbed the P400. Then, there's the P440e, which is a plug-in hybrid, pairing the 3.0-liter six with an electric motor, which can go up to 48-miles on electricity alone. The plug-in hybrid also puts down a rather ridiculous 619 lb-ft of torque. Finally, at the top of the lineup, there's the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp and a 0-60 time of around 4.4-seconds. This is the same twin-turbo V8 that appears on the full-size Range Rover, and it comes from BMW. Land Rover has also confirmed that a fully-electric Sport is due in 2024.

All of these engines send their power to all four wheels via an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission, and an intelligent AWD system which works in conjunction with Land Rover's Terrain Response 2 system. This means that the Sport should be just as capable off-road as its always been, while, like the previous two generations, offer a bit more of a fun driving experience on the road. The punchy engines and the insanely low-drag coefficient of just 0.29 Cd should also help matters here.

2023 Range Rover Sport Comfort And Quality

Land Rover

On the inside, Land Rover has introduced a plethora of changes to the 2023 Range Rover Sport. In addition to a new steering wheel design and new digital gauges, the Sport now also gets the latest generation of JLR's Pivi Pro infotainment system. We're still a little on the fence about the upward-facing climate controls, but things are looking good overall. As with any Range Rover, there are plentiful interior color and trim combinations, as well as a variety of options, including the Meridian sound system. Auto emergency braking, driver attention alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system paired with front and rear parking sensors are all standard on the safety menu.

Generally, Land Rovers aren't exactly well-known for reliability or dependability, but the automaker has steadily been working to improve their record, and the new Sport is way too new to really judge, but we're hoping that the track record improves. The Range Rover Sport no longer offers seven seats, as the full-size Range Rover now does instead, so it only seats five. The cargo capacity has increased meanwhile, as the new Sport boasts 31.9 cubic-feet of space behind the second row.

2023 Range Rover Sport Pricing And Launch

Land Rover

The new Range Rover Sport is available to order as of May 2022. Prices start at $83,000 for the base SE with the 355 hp six-cylinder engine. The Autobiography, which comes standard with the plug-in hybrid six-cylinder, starts at $104,200, whereas the First Edition launch cars bring a hefty $121,500. That's a pretty steep price, but it's significantly less than the full-size Range Rover. With all of the new things the Sport has going for it, it might just be the best ever, meaning it could definitely be worth the price.