2027 Range Rover Sport vs. BMW X5 Comparison with Price, Specs, & Photos

There is a lot to consider when choosing between the Range Rover Sport and BMW X5. Both vehicles offer impressive performance, a long list of luxury features, and styling that has real presence. But as desirable as the X5 might be, the Range Rover Sport offers several advantages across a range of key areas. We’ll have to take a closer look to see what sets the Range Rover Sport apart to such an extent that it’s the clear choice for a midsize luxury SUV.

Range Rover Sport VS BMW X5 – At A Glance

The big difference between these two vehicles when it comes to performance doesn’t come down to power output, but rather intent. The X5 is built for on-road driving almost exclusively, more of a tall wagon than a real SUV in the sense of being off-road capable. This isn’t the approach taken with the Range Rover Sport, which is exceedingly comfortable and capable on the road, but maintains the off-road capability that has always made Range Rover vehicles appealing over more ordinary luxury vehicles. That’s why the X5 comes with rear-wheel drive as the standard configuration, and the Range Rover Sport comes with all-wheel drive across the board.

The drivetrain options are surprisingly similar, and include a mild hybrid I6, a plug-in hybrid, and a pair of V8s for both vehicles. That said, the Range Rover Sport offers a bit more power from each option when compared to the BMW. From the base I6 engine (395 horsepower in the Range Rover Sport vs 375 horsepower for the X5) all the way up to the top-performing V8 (626 horsepower in the Range Rover Sport vs 617 horsepower for the X5). The Range Rover Sport PHEV also has an all-electric range of 51 miles, compared to 38 miles for the X5 PHEV.

Range Rover Sport VS BMW X5 – Equipment

The difference in off-road capabilities comes down to a lot more than just standard all-wheel drive. The AWD system in the Range Rover Sport also features a two-speed transfer box, allowing for high and low ranges, an important piece of off-road equipment that is absent on AWD-equipped X5 models. Height-adjustable air suspension is also standard on the Range Rover Sport, allowing you to add extra ground clearance with the push of a button, but no such feature is available for the X5. The Range Rover Sport even comes standard with adaptive off-road cruise control, something else not available for any price on the X5.

The Range Rover Sport comes much better equipped than the X5 beyond the off-road equipment as well. Popular features like heated seats, four-zone climate control, and leather seat upholstery all come standard with the Range Rover Sport, but will cost you extra on the X5. Even optional equipment is better on the Range Rover Sport. Not only does it come with a standard name-brand stereo system, but the top Range Rover Sport trims come with a 28-speaker stereo system that offers rich, immersive sound. For the X5, the top stereo offering costs extra even on the top X5 M Competition model, and it comes with a total of 20 speakers.

Range Rover Sport VS BMW X5 – Style And Customization

BMW is better than some luxury brands when it comes to customization, but British luxury brands really take the idea to an entirely new level. The Range Rover Sport offers more paint colors, color contrast roof options, more wheel designs, more color choices for the brake calipers, and the ability to choose headliner colors. But even more important, it is eligible for Land Rover’s SV Bespoke program, which gives you free rein to choose from a greatly expanded range of paint colors, including fully custom shades, as well as different materials and colors for the interior, both upholstery and trim pieces. BMW has a similar program, called BMW Individual, but this is limited to just custom paint colors, falling well short of the degree of personalization offered for Range Rover products.

Even if the customization options were exactly the same for these two vehicles, it has to be said that the styling of the X5 is a bit… divisive. That’s by design; BMW executives have publicly stated that the styling of modern BMW vehicles is supposed to be a challenging aesthetic. The look is always aggressive, even for more mainstream trims, although obviously the X5 M Competition is even more aggressive still. If you’re looking for a more refined and classical sense of luxury and style, the Range Rover Sport is the clear choice.

Winner – Range Rover Sport

The BMW X5 is a comfortable and competently designed SUV, but it is also limited to on-road use, and it lacks the refinement of the Range Rover Sport. It’s also not a vehicle that you can make your own to the same extent that you can with the Range Rover Sport, and in this department, you also have the advantage of being able to shop with Land Rover Louisville, where we can help you find the Range Rover Sport that’s just right for you. Come by to start your next adventure with us.

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