The 2026 Range Rover Sport made a convincing case for itself during Tim Esterdahl’s week behind the wheel. The difficult part was the roughly $104,000 price of the vehicle he reviewed. Comfortable seats, strong six-cylinder performance and a composed ride made it easy to enjoy, but they did not make it an inexpensive purchase.
This review draws on Tim’s Range Rover Sport walkaround and drive for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk. His impressions come from that particular test vehicle and week of driving, rather than a long-term ownership study.
The six-cylinder engine does not feel like a compromise
Tim’s test vehicle used the 395-horsepower inline-six, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. He liked the smooth response and found more than enough acceleration in the normal driving setting. He did not need to select a more aggressive mode to enjoy the vehicle on the Nebraska roads used for this review.
That distinction matters for a luxury SUV. Power is useful when passing or joining faster traffic, but an expensive daily driver should also feel relaxed when there is no reason to hurry. The Range Rover Sport delivered that combination in this test. Tim did not conduct an instrumented acceleration test, so the useful takeaway is his response to the powertrain rather than a claimed stopwatch result.
The trip display showed 24.2 mpg during the drive. That is an indicated figure from this vehicle’s use, not a hand-calculated tank average or a promise of what another owner will achieve.
The big wheels did not spoil the ride
The optional 23-inch wheels were one of the most conspicuous features of this Range Rover Sport. Tim put their price at $2,600 in the video, making them a meaningful part of an already substantial bill. They also raised an obvious question: Would such large wheels make the SUV uncomfortable on imperfect pavement?
The air suspension helped the test vehicle maintain the composed feel Tim expected. A rough set of railroad tracks he uses as a familiar reference point did not produce a major complaint. Across the roads shown in the video, he described the SUV as smooth and comfortable.
The blue exterior made a strong visual impression, too, although keeping it clean frustrated him during the week. Buyers choosing paint and wheel options should weigh the everyday upkeep alongside the showroom appeal. This was a road review, not an off-road capability test.
The cabin gets the important comfort details right
The front seats remained comfortable through Tim’s time with the vehicle. In the second row, he found useful legroom and plenty of headroom for his roughly 5-foot-7-inch height. Taller passengers should still do their own seating check, particularly if the panoramic roof is an important part of their buying decision.
The interior mixed attractive materials with useful details: covered storage, a wireless charging area, cupholders that can be concealed and upper and lower gloveboxes. Tim also liked the appropriately sized driver display. The cabin did not need an enormous instrument screen to feel modern.
One annoyance was the position of the interior door release, which he found awkward to reach around the steering wheel. Otherwise, he reported no rattles or obvious fit-and-finish trouble during this particular week. That is a favorable short-term observation, not evidence of long-term reliability.
The price defines who this SUV is for
Tim used his golf clubs to demonstrate the rear cargo area rather than relying only on a specification sheet. That approach sums up the appeal of the Range Rover Sport: It can handle ordinary errands and passenger duty while making the trip feel special.
Whether that experience is worth roughly $104,000 is a different question. Tim’s biggest reservation was the price, not a major failing in how this test vehicle drove or felt inside. Shoppers considering it should compare the actual equipment on the sticker with other luxury SUVs instead of assuming every expensive option improves daily life.
For another perspective on premium-SUV value, read our Genesis GV80 Coupe review. The Range Rover Sport’s case is strongest for someone who puts a high value on its styling, comfort and refined performance and is comfortable paying for that combination.
Reporting and driving impressions: Tim Esterdahl. Adapted by We Talk Cars Staff. The source video includes a ScreenProTech promotional segment.
