First-Ever Range Rover Electric Has Record Torque, But U.S. Must Wait

The increasingly electrified Land Rover lineup has a new member in the form of the Range Rover Sport Electric. With performance on par with V8 models from the silent electric motors, the new Range Rover Electric blends potent performance with even better refinement. This is the first-ever all-electric version of the Range Rover Sport, a midsize luxury SUV that was first introduced in 2005. It will compete with the Porsche Cayenne Electric and BMW iX5, so does it have what it takes to fend off these equally fresh German SUVs?

Related: Range Rover’s First EV Gets 333-Mile Range and More Torque Than Any Range Rover Yet

Quick Acceleration and Advanced Suspension

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The new Range Rover Sport Electric features two powerful electric motors. Together, they produce more torque than any previous Range Rover Sport. Here’s a look at the SUV’s performance specifications.

With launch control, the Range Rover Sport Electric needs just 4.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. That’s quick, but it can’t quite keep up with the twin-turbo V8 models, which need 3.7 seconds for the benchmark sprint. 

The suspension design ensures maximum comfort with the all-terrain performance expected from any Range Rover. AWD and all-wheel steering are available, enhancing grip and agility. Twin valve dampers and electronic active roll control should keep the heavy SUV stable under hard cornering and braking. Range Rover claims the new EV can wade through over 35 inches of water and climb 45-degree inclines. To complement the driving experience, an exclusive acoustic signature sound was developed.

The range on a full charge is up to 378 miles, although that’s a WLTP rating; expect something in the region of 330 miles by more realistic EPA standards. That’s some way off the 435-mile range of the new BMW iX5. Thanks to the 800V architecture, the battery can be replenished from 10 to 80% in around 22 minutes using a DC fast charger.

“Range Rover Sport Electric represents an evolution in the dynamic character of Range Rover Sport, with an even greater emphasis on driver engagement and sporting response,” said Matt Becker, Vehicle Engineering Director, Range Rover. “The stiffer architecture and lower centre of gravity, combined with precise torque control and advanced chassis technologies, creates a vehicle with sharper responses, greater agility and increased confidence.”

Familiar Range Rover Sport Styling

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Range Rover hasn’t gone the alien EV route when designing the new Sport Electric. Besides an aerodynamically-optimized grille and unique alloys, there’s nothing to indicate that this is the electric model. It has the same clean, minimalist lines of the gas model, which is no bad thing, as this is one of the best-looking SUVs on the road. 

The interior is finished in plush, high-end materials. Buyers will be able to choose from the following trims: Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and First Edition. The special First Edition comes in a Zadar Gray finish with a Satin Wrap, a black contrast roof, and 22-inch alloys. The Autobiography offers the widest selection of colors and materials for customers interested in comprehensive personalization.

Pricing and Availability

The new Range Rover Sport Electric is now available to order for customers in the UK, where it starts at £109,810 (~$146,000), although deliveries will only start there early next year. It’s expected to start at less than that when it goes on sale in the U.S., and it will certainly come in below the Range Rover Electric, which starts at $138,000 here. 

Unfortunately, Americans will have to wait quite a bit longer, as the new electric SUV is only scheduled to arrive here for the 2028 model year. That suggests it will only start arriving in local showrooms in the second half of next year at the earliest.

It may not match the Cayenne Electric’s performance or the iX5’s range, but the Range Rover Sport Electric may offer the best combination of on-road refinement and off-road prowess.

Related: See How the New Range Rover Electric Is Built Before It Hits U.S. Roads