2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport P550e Gave Me New Hope In Plug-In Hybrids

I’m not a fan of plug-in hybrids. While I get why some people see this technology as a way of having the best of both worlds – an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a fully electric vehicle (EV) all in one – I personally find that they’re actually the worst of both worlds.

From my experience reviewing several ICEs, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs over the years, I always found that plug-ins (also called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEV) were inherently flawed.

They’re not great EVs because you can’t go very far with them, nor does EV mode generally give you much available power. They’re also not great ICE cars because that engine is usually of a smaller size to pair with the electric powertrains. And when both modes of propulsion are working in sync, there is a tremendous amount of lag in the way everything reacts, as if the car is constantly wondering what to turn on first.

The list goes on. PHEVs aren’t fun to drive due to their excess weight. During winter, most of them will turn on the ICE anyway to warm up the cabin, defeating the purpose of an all-electric range. And they’re ridiculously complicated, which is bad news if you plan on keeping one past the warranty period.

But there are exceptions. The Volvo V60 Recharge I drove earlier this year is truly one of the best PHEVs I have ever driven. Mostly because it allowed me to enjoy both of its technologies with minimal compromise. And now, there’s this: the 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 550e, a luxury SUV that masters PHEV technology like very few vehicles can.

2024 Range Rover Sport First Impressions

It’s not often that Land Rover messes up a design, and this latest Range Rover Sport is proof of that. Ever since Gerry McGovern has been in charge of design at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the entire Land Rover lineup has arguably been the most attractive set of luxury SUVs money can buy.

The current-generation Range Rover clearly carries over this tradition. It looks opulent, massive, elegant and properly British. In terms of design, it encapsulates everything the Land Rover brand represents; this idea of driving a highly-capable adventure machine wrapped in the same sort of relentless comfort, luxury, performance and technology that you’d normally find in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

In Sport form – my favorite variant of the Range Rover lineup – this flagship SUV is even more of a looker. It’s stubbier due to the fact that it’s about four inches shorter. It’s also about two inches lower overall, wearing a more tapered body and a more aggressive stance. The Sport is clearly the sportiest in the lineup, appearing like it’s ready to hit the gym in a fresh pair of track shoes. Speaking of shoes, mine was wearing a set made of carbon fiber, no less. This thing looks absolutely epic.

Exterior Dimensions

2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport: Differences Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

The beauty of the Range Rover lineup is that you can truly customize your vehicle to your liking. In that respect, both markets offer a wide range of different paint, wheel and interior combinations, as well as drivetrain choices and optional packages.

In the U.S. and Canada, the P550e plug-in hybrid powerplant can be had on the Dynamic SE and Autobiography (as tested) trim levels. The rest are a series of packages which are essentially the same, but the U.S. market gets a bit more of them.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown

Driving Impressions And Performance

Underneath the P550e’s sexy body lies what is arguably the most potent PHEV drivetrain to date. Normally, plug-in hybrid vehicles are equipped with lithium-ion batteries that tend to stay below the 20 kWh mark. But not this Rover, which boasts a massive 31.8-kWh (usable) unit.

When running on pure electricity, the P550e’s battery powers a 214-horsepower electric motor nestled within the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission. Gasoline duty comes courtesy of a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight six. Get that battery fully charged, and the PHEV Rover Sport will churn out an impressive 543 horsepower and a tarmac-shattering 590 lb-ft of torque.

And it’s all felt behind the wheel. Punch the accelerator pedal in a P550e and, yes, there’s a bit of lag before all performers put on their game face. But once everything is lit up, the Sport flies as if none of its internals require electrons to get going. That’s the beauty of fitting the AC motor inside the transmission, it moves along at the same rate as the ICE components, reducing the normally slow reaction times of PHEVs and acting as a more organic torque-fill system.

The Range Rover Sport always rides smoothly, barely ever revealing the imperfections on the road. It’s a tad stiffer and more energetic than the larger, more laid back Range, but this is still one of the most sumptuous rides I’ve ever experienced in a large utility vehicle.

Handling, on the other hand, will reveal the expected body roll of a 6,000-pound SUV that’s as tall as some full-size pickup trucks. But once you’ve gotten used to the body motions, the Range Rover Sport grips, hooks up, and gracefully carries its momentum in the corners.

In EV mode, the P550e is even more refined, smooth and quiet, further accentuating its promise of being a high-end luxury vehicle. There’s obviously less power and torque available, but there’s enough on tap for overtaking and getting you through your daily grind.

Performance Specifications

2024 Range Rover Sport P550e Fuel/Energy Consumption And Range

After plugging the P550e into my 7.3-kW level 2 home charger for about five hours, the Range Rover Sport – whose onboard charger is rated at 7 kW – granted me the advertised 50 miles of purely electric range. It’s a number I had no difficulty achieving during the warm week of August I had it in my possession.

Another cool feature about the Range Rover Sport P550e, is that it’s compatible with level three fast chargers up to a charging rate of 50 kW. That’s unusual for a plug-in hybrid. While you might piss off some EV owners while doing so, the fact that you can fast-charge this thing on the go further illustrates just how brilliant this PHEV is.

Interestingly enough, neither the EPA nor Natural Resources Canada have published fuel economy numbers for the P550e. According to Land Rover’s own specifications sheet, it can get up close to 29 MPG combined as per the WLTP cycle. I managed an even better 33.6 MPG during my week with it.

WLTP And As Tested Fuel Consumption

Interior Design And Comfort

These days, every luxury carmaker makes a nice interior. But nobody makes an interior like Land Rover. My Range Rover Sport Autobiography was equipped with an elegant burgundy leather interior with a contrasting marble finish in the door inserts. It all looked and felt like a million bucks. The attention to detail is impressive, so is the build quality. Yet, there’s a pureness in this minimalist design that feels modern and stress-free.

Seat comfort in the P550e is never a problem thanks to a full plethora of adjustments and massaging features. Visibility is also fantastic thanks to the elevated nature of the front seats, giving you a commanding view of the road. But the rear glass is set up high, limiting rearward visibility at times. Thank god for the back-up camera.

There’s a lot of storage too, including a large center console compartment that also acts as a cool box. A second compartment is located further ahead underneath the center console to store mobile devices or other gear. And in the rear, leg and headroom are a non-issue even for taller passengers. The level of comfort in the rear is almost equal to the front, with the added bonus of having access to manually adjustable climate control features.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

It seems each time JLR updates its vehicles, it gives us fewer buttons to work with. The Range Rover Sport’s infotainment system looks clean, modern and operates with minimal lag, but the lack of physical controls for the most basic functions like climate control and audio settings can add frustration to its operation.

Other carmakers do this as well, but do it with a simpler user experience. The problem with both audio and HVAC, is that they both require accessing a menu first, which just adds to the annoyance. That all being said, it’s a minor caveat considering how good this system is and how easily accessible everything remains. In my case, wireless Android Auto connected fast, and gave me access to the screen’s full real estate.

Rear occupants also both get their own screen and a pair of JLR-branded headphones, complete with independent HDMI connectivity to connect to a portable device.

Cargo And Storage Space

Even with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Range Rover Sport boasts similar cargo space figures as its gasoline-powered counterparts. But while 65.7 cu-ft of total cargo space when lowering the rear seat is a higher number than what most modern families need, the Rover Sport is still outclassed by some of its German rivals, like the BMW X5 (33.9 cu-ft/72.3 cu-ft).

Still A Rover At Heart, But Also A Darn Great Plug-In Hybrid

In recent years, JLR products have come out punching hard and challenging the status quo in the high-end luxury SUV segment, a category of vehicles typically dominated by German carmakers. The new Range Rover lineup is a testament to the brand’s rapid evolution in a very short timeframe, and its devotion to building some of the most accomplished luxury utility vehicles that money can buy.

The good news is that even with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, none of the Range Rover Sport’s endearing qualities have been tarnished. It’s quite the contrary, actually, as the system is so good, that it further elevates the overachieving nature of this nameplate. It’s so good, in fact, that it completely altered my perception of PHEV technology as a whole. The P550e is not just one of the best plug-in hybrids I’ve tested so far, it’s one of the best vehicles I’ve driven this year.