16 MPG combined is what you can expect from the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 5.0L 8-cyl. To be clear, this isn’t a vehicle known for saving gas. It’s bought for its imposing look, its ability to go anywhere, and the deep sound of its supercharged V8. Fuel economy is a secondary concern for Range Rover Sport 5.0L buyers, who value power, prestige, and Land Rover’s off-road capability more than saving money at the gas station.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates 14 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway, which shows how thirsty the engine is. Stop-and-go traffic will hurt your fuel economy, as the Range Rover Sport’s weight and powerful engine need a lot of gas to get going. Highway driving is a bit better, but even then, driving faster and fighting wind resistance means you’ll be stopping for gas often. The eight-speed automatic transmission, while generally smooth and responsive, doesn’t do much to help the engine’s fuel inefficiency. The supercharged V8 is designed to provide instant power, which always results in higher fuel consumption.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 5.0L 8-cyl is $3,600. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with 55% in the city and 45% on the highway, using national average fuel prices. That’s a lot of money, showing the financial commitment needed to own a high-performance SUV like this. While the initial price is high, the ongoing costs, especially fuel, shouldn’t be ignored. Factor this into your budget and understand the trade-off for performance is a large fuel bill.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides estimates, but real-world fuel economy varies based on driving habits, road conditions, and maintenance. Driving aggressively, taking frequent short trips, and carrying heavy loads will all lower fuel economy. On the other hand, accelerating gently, driving at consistent highway speeds, and keeping up with maintenance can help you get closer to the EPA estimates. But don’t expect too much, getting 19 MPG consistently on the highway takes effort and a light foot. You’re more likely to see highway numbers in the 16-18 MPG range, which will lower your overall average.

How it compares

Compared to other luxury SUVs, the 2016 Range Rover Sport 5.0L’s fuel economy is definitely not great. The BMW X5 xDrive50i, with its twin-turbo V8, gets about 17 MPG combined. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e plug-in hybrid, while more expensive, offers much better fuel economy, especially in the city, because it has an electric motor. Even the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, another performance SUV, gets a slightly better 17 MPG combined. For those who want lower fuel costs over pure performance, looking at all Land fuel economy data may be eye-opening. Buyers should weigh the Range Rover Sport 5.0L’s performance and image against how much gas it uses compared to these competitors. Checking ROVER MPG across all years can also show the brand’s overall fuel efficiency over time.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Even with the supercharged V8’s thirst for gas, you can do things to improve fuel economy a bit. Avoid accelerating quickly and braking hard. The Range Rover Sport’s weight and powerful engine mean quick bursts of speed use a lot of gas. Accelerating gently and gradually will help save fuel.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Tires with low pressure increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressure often and inflate them to the recommended levels. Even a small difference in tire pressure can affect fuel economy.

Remove extra weight. Carrying extra cargo increases the vehicle’s weight, which lowers fuel efficiency. Remove anything you don’t need from the trunk to reduce the load on the engine. The Range Rover Sport is already heavy, so every pound matters.

Don’t let the engine idle. Idling wastes fuel, especially with a large engine like the 5.0L V8. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern vehicles restart quickly, making this is an easy way to save fuel.