2025 Range Rover Sport SV and Autobiography PHEV First Test: One Wild, One Mild

Motor Trend

2 days ago

Pros Menacing speed
Mighty roars (SV)
Plush design Cons It's $200,000 (SV)
Cramped rear seat
Infotainment needs fewer menus
While the Range Rover reigns as the brand's flagship, those craving sharper reflexes and more punch underfoot will naturally gravitate toward its younger, more athletic sibling—the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. It channels much of the big Rover's DNA, like its cushy ride quality, head-turning design, and a cocooning cabin, but it trims the fat and dials up the dynamism. Both models offer the ultra-luxe SV trim, dripping in power and indulgence. But where the full-size Range Rover prioritizes serene cruising and stretch-out space, the Sport lives up to its name with a brawny twin-turbo V-8 pumping out 626 horsepower and a leaner curb weight that makes a real difference when you hit the twisties.
The 2025 Range Rover Sport SV offers a thrilling, powerful drive with a 626-hp V-8, while the Autobiography PHEV prioritizes smoothness with a 543-hp hybrid setup. Both are luxurious, but the SV's dynamic performance steals the spotlight. Rear space and menu navigation could improve.
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We put the 2025 Range Rover Sport SV to the test on the streets (and freeways) of Los Angeles, and the more time we spent behind the wheel, the more impressed we became by just how much this SUV can do. Whether it's gliding over pothole-riddled pavement, tackling canyon curves, or quietly cruising through traffic with a full cabin, the Sport proves it's more than just a pretty face. Give Me Power
Fire up the 2025 Range Rover Sport SV, and you're greeted with a roar. That V-8 and quad-exhaust setup deliver an opening act that'll make you laugh, grin, and maybe glance around for a tunnel you wish you'd parked in. Drop it into drive, and the real show begins. Pin the throttle, and the SV lunges ahead with brutal confidence, its soundtrack flooding the cabin in all the right ways. There's a satisfying squat as the rear digs in, the front end lifts ever so slightly, and the tires claw for grip.
Power delivery in the Sport SV walks a fine line between refined and ruthless. Mash the pedal, and it unleashes all 626 horses in a smooth yet explosive surge that feels both deliberate and almost violent. Our test team clocked a 0–60-mph sprint in just 3.9 seconds—staggering for a 5,620-pound SUV wearing a luxury badge. Staff editor Jered Korfhage sums it up best: 'The V-8 makes one heckuva launch experience, sound and all.' Still, he notes the aggressive nature of the gear changes, especially under full throttle. And he's not wrong. Engage SV mode, and this Range Rover transforms. The exhaust opens up, shifts come harder and faster, and the whole powertrain feels like it's been uncaged.
Whether you're carving up canyon roads or pushing hard on a track, the 2025 Range Rover Sport SV delivers genuine thrills. Despite its size and heft, it handles with surprising agility—feeling planted through corners, eager on turn-in, and even playful when pushed past the limit. It's pure entertainment.
Associate road test editor Erick Ayapana puts it this way: 'The SV is now willing to dole out power throughout the skidpad and eagerly pop its tail out for some drift action. Rear steer is very active. Lots of fun. Bit of a wild child.' He's spot on. This SUV isn't afraid to get sideways, and with rear-wheel steering, it feels far smaller than it is when diving into corners.
But let's be honest. Anyone dropping $204,875 on a Range Rover Sport SV isn't doing it just for the leather and luxury. You buy this beast because you want the full experience: the full-throttle launches, the head-snapping acceleration, the bark of the exhaust echoing through a canyon or downtown street. Sure, it's trimmed in opulence and packed with tech, but it's the way this SUV behaves on the road—rowdy, responsive, and unapologetically fun—that makes it truly special. And that's exactly why customers are willing to wait over a year to get their hands on one.
Built in small numbers, the 2025 Range Rover Sport SV isn't for everyone—it's for those who crave something unique, something with personality, something that makes every drive feel like an event. And after our time behind the wheel, we can confidently say: It delivers. There's a PHEV, Too
Not looking for the full-send SV experience? The Range Rover Sport Autobiography PHEV (that's plug-in hybrid) offers a more refined, electrified alternative without giving up much in the way of performance. (Editor's note, only the Sport SV is pictured.)
Under its hood, a 3.0-liter inline-six with both a turbocharger and supercharger is paired with an electric motor to deliver a healthy 543 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. It's a clever combo, blending instant electric shove with traditional power. That said, you can feel the setup's extra mass—it weighs nearly 800 pounds more than the V-8 model—and it shows in the way it moves, especially in tight corners or under heavy braking. But there's a big upside: a 53-mile electric-only range, putting it near the top of the plug-in hybrid SUV class.
But here's the catch: The way the PHEV behaves is a far cry from its SV sibling. There's no real drama off the line. Launches are tame, the power delivery is smooth, and the engine note is subdued, almost too polite. The eight-speed automatic shifts with grace, not aggression. In short, it's quick but not exciting.
That said, don't mistake refinement for sluggishness. Despite its heft and calm demeanor, the PHEV still hustled to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds—a seriously respectable number for a luxury SUV this size. It may not shout about its performance, but it's got the numbers to back it up.
Although the SV and PHEV share a badge, their personalities and ride qualities couldn't be more different. The SV is tuned for performance with a noticeably stiffer setup, yet it somehow manages to glide over rough pavement with surprising grace. Despite its firmness, the suspension filters out harshness, keeping the cabin impressively insulated from the chaos below. The PHEV, in contrast, leans toward comfort with a softer, more relaxed ride. But while it does a solid job of keeping things composed, it lets more road vibrations creep into the cabin than the SV.
Braking is another area where the PHEV shows its limitations. The integration between the regenerative braking (slowing using the electric motor) and the traditional mechanical disc brake system feels a bit uneven, resulting in a pedal feel that's less intuitive than you'd expect, especially in a luxury SUV priced north of $100,000. The Plushness
Range Rovers have long set the standard for premium cabin materials, and the Sport continues that tradition without compromise. Our SV test vehicle is decked out with carbon-fiber accents everywhere you look—from the lightweight wheels (a pricey $10,000 option) to the seat backs. Although we aren't entirely sold on the black-on-black theme, particularly the high-gloss trim on the center console, the overall design strikes a strong balance between modern aggression and refined luxury.
The center console's iPad-style touchscreen wakes up instantly when you fire up the engine, syncing with Apple CarPlay almost without delay. But the all-digital setup isn't without its quirks. With hard buttons largely absent, getting to some features means diving deep into menus. We counted five taps just to activate the seat massage—more effort than you'd expect for a feature you want at your fingertips. It's a sleek interface, but sometimes simplicity comes at the cost of immediacy.
Packaging is one area where Range Rover still has room to grow. The brand excels in luxury and presence, but it's never been a leader in maximizing interior space. In the 2025 Sport, the back seat feels a bit snug, especially when it comes to legroom. Our friends who rode back there said they were comfortable enough for short city trips, but long road trips? Not so much. A bit more generosity in rear passenger space would go a long way toward making every journey truly first-class. Is It Worth It?
Whether you're eyeing the $200,000 SV or the $136,000 Autobiography PHEV, both versions deliver the signature Range Rover plushness and refinement you expect. The SV is all about delivering grin-inducing fun and an unmistakable personality behind the wheel, while the PHEV offers a quieter, more composed experience with the bonus of impressive electric range. Both feel undeniably special, but it's the SV's distinctive character and raw excitement that put it at the top of many enthusiasts' wish lists—proof that sometimes, the wild child wins the day.
Of course, it's not all perfect. Relying so heavily on the infotainment screen means you'll often find yourself digging through layers of menus just to access basic functions—a bit frustrating when you want things at a glance. And while the cabin is undeniably luxurious, interior space, especially in the rear, could use some breathing room. Still, if you're one of the lucky few on the waiting list for the 2025 Range Rover Sport SV, trust us—the wait will be well worth it.