2027 Range Rover Sport PHEV vs. BMW X5 PHEV Comparison with Price, Specs, & Photos
Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid VS BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid – Performance
To start with, there are some big similarities between these two vehicles. Both come with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine mated to a plug-in hybrid system, both produce more than 400 horsepower, and both come with standard all-wheel drive. But despite these similarities, there are some important differences as well. The first of these is battery capacity. The X5 comes with a 26 kWh battery, and while that’s bigger than what is offered in some competitors, the Range Rover Sport is the standout in this segment with a 38 kWh battery. This battery gives the Range Rover Sport an all-electric driving range of 51 miles, much more than the already-above-average 38 miles that you get from the X5. The next difference is that you have a choice of two different PHEV drivetrains for the Range Rover Sport, which, in fairness to the X5, is extremely rare. So, if the 454-horsepower drivetrain on the Range Rover Sport somehow leaves you wanting more power, there is a 543-horsepower option, which is far more than what BMW gives you in the X5 PHEV.
The biggest difference between these two vehicles has to do with capability. While the X5 does come with standard all-wheel drive, that still falls well short of the capability-enhancing equipment included with the Range Rover Sport that takes it well beyond just “All Wheel Drive”. This includes a twin-speed transfer box, allowing for low-range operation, which is perfect for off-road conditions or on-road when the weather is especially bad. The Range Rover Sport also comes with Terrain Response 2, a highly advanced traction control system that is designed to handle the most adverse of conditions. The Range Rover Sport even comes with All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC), an off-road form of cruise control that isn’t available on the X5 or any BMW product. It’s even upgradable to Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control. And while both vehicles are offered with air suspension, the Range Rover Sport offers height adjustment to give you better ground clearance in rough conditions.
Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid VS BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid – Customization
One of the ways that Land Rover stands out from the crowd is its range of customization options, a range that far exceeds what you’re going to find from other manufacturers, BMW included. So there are more paint colors, more wheel designs, and more interior options offered for the Range Rover Sport than there are for the X5. Not only that, but the Range Rover Sport comes much better equipped. Genuine leather seats, ventilated front seats, heated back seats, and a heated steering wheel are all standard on the Range Rover Sport trims that a PHEV drivetrain is available for, but all are extra-cost options on the X5 PHEV. The standard 14-speaker Meridian™ stereo system in the Range Rover Sport is far more impressive than the 10-speaker generic system in the X5. And while you can upgrade to a 16-speaker Harman Kardon® system in the X5, the Range Rover Sport lets you upgrade to 28 speakers. Then there are features like a rear seat entertainment system, thick-pile carpet mats, and soft-close doors, all of which are available for the Range Rover Sport, but not the X5.
Winner – Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid
While the X5 PHEV is an appealing alternative to the standard X5, it doesn’t quite measure up to the Range Rover Sport. It lacks the capability, the equipment, and the customization potential that come with the Range Rover Sport. And although looks might be subjective, it has to be said that the restrained sophistication of the Range Rover Sport design is a lot less controversial than the oddly aggressive styling typical of modern BMW vehicles. As with any well-made product, the Range Rover Sport needs to be experienced in person in order to be fully appreciated; let Land Rover Louisville show you what makes it the obvious choice.