19 MPG combined is the fuel economy to expect from the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 5.0L 8-cyl, a vehicle that emphasizes performance and all-terrain capability. It’s not designed for those seeking maximum fuel efficiency, but rather for those who want a luxurious and powerful SUV, and are prepared to pay more at the gas pump.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Range Rover Sport achieves 17 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. The city MPG reflects the engine’s high fuel consumption during stop-and-go driving. This is made worse by the vehicle’s heavy weight and the always-on all-wheel-drive system. The highway MPG is more acceptable, but still lower than many competitors. The supercharged 5.0L V8 needs a lot of fuel to generate its substantial power. The eight-speed automatic transmission tries to optimize efficiency, but it struggles against the engine’s design and the vehicle’s aerodynamics.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Range Rover Sport 5.0L 8-cyl averages $3,050. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, using a particular mix of city and highway miles, and using the national average fuel price at the time of calculation. This makes it a much more expensive vehicle to fuel than most. Remember that gasoline prices will change this figure, as will how you drive.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA estimates are a good starting point, real-world fuel economy often differs. Drivers who accelerate quickly or go off-roading frequently will likely see much lower MPG than advertised. However, those who mainly drive on the highway and drive conservatively may get close to or even slightly exceed the EPA’s highway estimate. The quality of fuel can also slightly affect fuel economy, though the engine is designed to run best on premium gasoline, as recommended by Land Rover.

How it compares

The Range Rover Sport is in a competitive class, and its fuel economy isn’t as good as some rivals. The BMW X5 xDrive50i, with its 4.4L V8, gets 17 MPG combined. The Porsche Cayenne S achieves 19 MPG combined. Even the Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e plug-in hybrid gets slightly better combined MPG, mostly because of its electric motor. However the GLE 550e has since been replaced by the GLE 450e. These small differences are important to some buyers, especially those seeking lower fuel costs or using less gas. But, for the typical Range Rover Sport buyer, the tradeoff between fuel economy and performance and capability is often worth it. You can find all Land fuel economy data in our resource section.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The Range Rover Sport 5.0L V8 will never be the most fuel-efficient vehicle, but you can take steps to reduce its fuel consumption. Avoid accelerating quickly and braking hard, as these actions put extra stress on the engine and consume more fuel. A smooth and steady driving style is essential.

Regular maintenance is also critical. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, as underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and lower fuel economy. And, keep up with scheduled servicing, including oil changes and air filter replacements, to keep the engine running well.

Keep idling to a minimum. If you’re stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine. Modern engines are designed to restart quickly, and idling wastes fuel. This is especially true during cold starts, as the engine will consume more fuel to reach its optimal operating temperature.

Try using the vehicle’s “Eco” mode if it has one. This mode usually adjusts throttle response and transmission shift points to favor fuel efficiency. It may not be ideal for fast driving, but it can help save fuel daily. Also, review ROVER MPG across all years, and you’ll see that the fuel economy has been consistent.