New Range Rover Sport P550e road test: The hybrid SUV king?

Range Rover’s Sport is as popular as it is practical, but does the new plug-in powertrain make sense in the real world? Vicki climbs aboard to give her verdict.

To many, the Range Rover Sport is the world’s preeminent luxury SUV. From the pillowy soft ride to the indomitable off-road ability, the Sporty Rangie ticks an awful lot of boxes for an awful lot of (well-heeled) people. 

You’d probably not buy one if frugality or eco-friendliness were a top priority, though. Or would you? Ladies and Gentlemen, say hello to the all-new, plug-in hybrid Range Rover Sport. Seen here in flagship, Luxury Autobiography spec, the new electrified Sport is a £114,000 slab of Great British opulence. 

The first thing Vicki notes is the P550e’s sheer size: ‘this thing is a whopper’. And, just to make sure people don’t miss you, this particular example is finished in an eye-catching shade of Velocity blue. As with most Range Rover Sports, there’s also the obligatory ‘black pack’ (£1500), and dark tinted rear glass (£500), for a meaner look. However, while Vicki is generally a fan of the imposing theme, she argues that the pop-out door handles feel a little out of place on a rugged car like this. 

Styling is, of course, subjective, but there’s no denying the hybrid Sport’s practicality. For starters there’s a 647-litre boot with the rear seats in situ, as well as a handy partition to stop your shopping rolling around that giant floor. Interestingly, there’s even a full-sized spare wheel nestled below. 

But it’s those extra little touches which truly elevate the Sport above lesser SUVs. For one, the air suspension can be raised or lowered at the push of a button — making it easier for old pooches (and people) to jump in and out. Oh, and don’t forget the electronically deployable towbar. Granted, in PHEV guise the Sport can only haul 3000 kg (around 500 or less than the E-Hybrid Cayenne Vicki reviewed last year), but we’d never tire of watching that hitch shooting out from below the back bumper like an agricultural cuckoo clock.
 

Inside, it’s business as usual: sumptuous luxury as far as the eye can see. According to Vicki, the hybrid Sport is as ‘plush as a pampour parlour’, with the 22-way adjustable, heated, cooled, and massaging seats, earning a particular commendation. Even the lack of physical buttons doesn’t cause much ire for the DriverReview’s host, thanks to a particularly intuitive central infotainment display. 

It's equally impressive to drive, too. When you’re just ambling along, the air suspension adeptly irons out all the imperfections in the tarmac. Then, when you sink your right foot, the new hybridised setup conjures an impressive 550 bhp — good for 0-60 mph in a Golf R-worrying 4.9 seconds. Given it’s 2.7 tonne kerb weight, the chassis does start to unravel a little when you’re really pushing on, but hitting dynamic mode does help to stiffen things up nicely.

So it’s both an accomplished wafter and a loyal companion on faster backroads, but how does the new P550e perform around town, on all-electric power? Hit play to find out.

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