Range Rover Sport vs BMW X5

Cars like the Range Rover Sport and the BMW X5 set the standard for luxury SUVs. With both 2019 models competing for your motoring dollars, which one should you choose? We will compare the features that truly matter to help you make the right decision for you.

Performance

Image via Flickr by crash71100

Performance matters to brands like Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery and BMW. Critics praise the Range Rover Sport and X5 for their smooth rides and surefooted handling on a range of terrains.

Both vehicles have gas-powered V-6 engines for their base models, which provides a clear basis for comparison. The BMW's motor generates 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover Sport's engine generates 332 pound-feet of torque, and it delivers 340 horsepower. That extra power aids acceleration and speed. Additionally, the BMW's towing capacity is 6,603 pounds compared to the Range Rover Sport's 7,716-pound towing capacity. If you're transporting heavy loads, you'll likely want to choose the Range Rover Sport on this basis alone.  A greater range of engines gives Range Rover Sport another edge here. Both brands offer V-8 options, but only Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery caters to eco-conscious consumers with its green engines, utilizing turbodiesel and plug-in technology. All of these Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery motors perform well in their class. Both vehicles offer all-wheel drive, which varies slightly in application, but will work to keep your wheels securely connected to the road in either vehicle. 

Luxury and Convenience

Brands like Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery and BMW both know how to make luxurious vehicles with modern conveniences, but some key entertainment features give the Range Rover Sprot the edge here as well. The X5's HiFi sound system is adequate but doesn't deliver the crystal-clear sound of the Range Rover Sport's Meridian signature sound system. 

Parents will appreciate the optional 8-inch or 10-inch dual entertainment system in the Sport's rear seat. It even comes with WhiteFire digital wireless headphones to prevent driver distraction. The X5 doesn't offer a comparable built-in system to keep kids entertained.

Measurements

Both vehicles are a little over 190 inches long and around 87.5 inches wide, so they'll take up roughly the same amount of space in your garage. However, the Range Rover Sport has a smaller turning circle of 2.7 feet, compared to nearly 3.3 feet on the BMW, so maneuvering it into parking spaces and through traffic should be easier.

Rear passengers will notice little difference between the two vehicles. The BMW offers less than two inches extra headroom and just 0.4 inches more leg room, but these small differences aren't enough to make the Range Rover Sport feel cramped. The dimensions vary a little more up front though. The Range Rover Sport's ceiling inclines slightly, giving drivers and front passengers a little more space. Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery drivers and front passengers get 42.2 inches of legroom, which is nearly 2.5 inches more than the BMW offers.

Brands like BMW do luxury well, but for a car with real substance, it's hard to pass up the Range Rover Sport, especially for transporting a family or hauling gear. This superior SUV really raises the bar for 2019.