Electric Range Rover Sport Faces Test

The fully electric Range Rover Sport is drawing attention for how closely it preserves the road manners and off-road character of its petrol-powered counterpart, as the British luxury brand extends battery power across its flagship vehicles.

In a first-drive assessment published on Wednesday, Autocar examined the Sport Electric EV550, which uses two electric motors to produce 542bhp and 627lb ft of torque. Its usable battery capacity is 118.5kWh, with an official WLTP range of 375 miles. The vehicle is priced from £109,745 in the tested specification and can accelerate from rest to 62mph in 4.5 seconds.

Unlike some electric SUVs designed around radically different styling, the Sport Electric closely resembles the combustion-engined model. The assessment praised its combination of cruising comfort and controlled handling, while questioning the placement of some off-road and driving settings within touchscreen menus. Its additional weight and large battery also underline the technical challenge of electrifying a vehicle expected to perform on difficult terrain as well as ordinary roads.

Range Rover is positioning the electric version above comparable mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models on price, making the purchase decision partly a question of what customers value beyond lower tailpipe emissions. The car enters a market where luxury buyers increasingly expect electric drivetrains to deliver refinement without narrowing a vehicle's capabilities. Its reception will offer an indication of whether established prestige SUV names can carry their existing appeal into battery-powered motoring. Range and charging convenience remain crucial tests beyond a short first drive and demanding off-road journeys.