Towing with the New Range Rover Sport: Luxury That Pulls
In the world of premium SUVs, few vehicles manage to blend effortless refinement with genuine workhorse credentials quite like the latest Range Rover Sport. Launched in its current form and now refined for 2025/2026, this is no bluffing poser – hook up a serious load and it proves why it remains a benchmark tow car for the discerning British driver. Whether you're heading to the Lakes with a twin-axle caravan, shifting a horsebox to Badminton, or towing a race car to Silverstone, the Sport delivers 3,500kg of braked towing capacity with the composure of a luxury limo.
UK buyers get a choice of powertrains that all pull their weight – literally. Diesel MHEV models (D300 and D350) offer up to 350hp and a stump-pulling 700Nm of torque, while petrol options range from the punchy P400 to the thunderous P530 V8. PHEV variants (P460e and P550e) are slightly capped at 3,000kg braked but still out-tow most rivals in the luxury class, and they deliver that silent electric shove for low-speed manoeuvring. Unbraked trailers are limited to 750kg across the board, with maximum nose weights of 150kg on non-PHEV models (120kg on PHEVs) – comfortably within UK regulations for most caravans and trailers.
On the road: Muscle meets manners
We hitched a 2,800kg loaded caravan (well within limits) to a D350 Autobiography and pointed it north on the M6. What strikes you immediately is how invisible the load feels. The Sport's advanced air suspension auto-levels in seconds, keeping the nose level and the ride plush whether you're solo or fully loaded. Trailer Stability Assist (standard) and the clever Advanced Tow Assist system make light work of reversing – the 360-degree cameras and on-screen guidelines turn what used to be a sweaty-palmed faff into something almost enjoyable. Select Tow mode via the Terrain Response system and it optimises throttle response, gearbox shifts and even the electronic differentials for maximum control.
Acceleration is effortless. That 700Nm kicks in from 1,500rpm, meaning overtaking a slow-moving lorry on the A9 is a doddle – 40-60mph in around 5 seconds even with the trailer in tow. At a steady 60mph the Sport feels planted, shrugging off crosswinds and motorway undulations that would have lesser tow cars twitching. Braking is equally impressive thanks to those huge ventilated discs and the integrated Electric Park Brake – expect confident stops even from motorway speeds.
Fuel economy? Real-world figures with a trailer hover around 22-25mpg for the diesel – impressive for something this capable – while the PHEVs can sip as little as 19g/km CO₂ on the WLTP cycle when the battery's in play, making them a smart choice for company car drivers or those mindful of the latest ULEZ rules.
Built for British towing
Land Rover has thought of everything the UK tower needs. The optional Towing Pack adds a factory-fitted tow bar with electrical preparation, while the electronic trailer sway control and blind-spot monitoring that extends to the trailer make motorway miles stress-free. Ground clearance (up to 281mm with air suspension raised) and wading depth of 900mm mean you can access those tucked-away campsites or farm tracks without drama. And with a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight of around 3,220-3,450kg depending on spec, plus a generous payload, you're never left scratching your head over legal limits.
Interior luxury is, of course, Range Rover to the core. The latest Pivi Pro infotainment keeps trailer cameras front and centre, while the sumptuous leather seats and Meridian sound system make long hauls feel like a first-class flight. Rear passengers get generous space and optional entertainment screens – perfect for keeping the kids (or dogs) happy on the way to the caravan site.
The verdict
Priced from around £80,000 (and stretching well north for Autobiography and SV models), the new Range Rover Sport isn't cheap. But for those who want a vehicle that can cosset you on the school run one day and confidently haul a 3.5-tonne trailer the next, nothing else in the luxury SUV segment comes close. It's stable, sophisticated, and supremely capable – the definitive British tow car for the modern age.
If your lifestyle demands both presence and pulling power, the Range Rover Sport doesn't just meet the brief. It redefines it.
How Does It Stack Up Against Its Rivals?
The latest Range Rover Sport continues to set a high bar in the premium SUV segment, not least for its towing credentials. With a maximum braked towing capacity of 3,500kg on diesel and petrol models (dropping to 3,000kg on the P460e and P550e PHEVs), plus excellent real-world stability, advanced driver aids, and genuine off-road ability, it remains a favourite among UK caravanners, horse owners and those who need to tow to events or remote sites. But how does it compare to key German rivals like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q8? Here's a head-to-head on the metrics that matter most to British towers.
Raw Towing Capacity
All the main players in this luxury class are rated at or near the UK legal maximum for most private towing.
- Range Rover Sport: 3,500kg (non-PHEV) / 3,000kg (PHEV). Nose weight up to 150kg (120kg on PHEVs). Unbraked: 750kg.
- BMW X5: Up to 3,500kg on most combustion models (some variants around 3,270kg or lower on certain PHEVs). Nose weight typically 140kg.
- Mercedes-Benz GLE: Up to 3,500kg (often quoted as 7,700 lbs / ~3,493kg in some markets, with PHEV versions maintaining strong ratings in the UK).
- Porsche Cayenne: 3,500kg across most models, including many hybrids.
- Audi Q8: Generally 3,500kg, matching the pack.
On paper, the Sport is right at the front of the grid for outright capacity. Its PHEVs lose a little compared with some rivals' plug-ins, but 3,000kg is still class-competitive and more than enough for the vast majority of UK caravans and trailers. Payload figures are generous too, helping keep you legal when fully loaded with passengers and kit.
On-Road Towing Behaviour and Stability
This is where differences become more pronounced – and where the Range Rover Sport often shines for British conditions.
The Sport's air suspension with auto-levelling, combined with Trailer Stability Assist and the Advanced Tow Assist system (which uses cameras and steering input for precise reversing), makes it feel remarkably composed. Hook up a heavy twin-axle and it stays planted at motorway speeds, with minimal sway even in crosswinds. The torque-rich diesel options (up to 700Nm) deliver effortless overtaking, while Tow mode optimises everything from throttle mapping to the electronic diffs.
Rivals respond differently:
- The Porsche Cayenne is the driver's choice – sharper handling and more engaging when solo or lightly loaded, but its firmer ride can transmit more road imperfections when towing heavy. It remains impressively stable, though.
- The BMW X5 offers excellent composure and strong performance, with a well-sorted tow package, but some testers find it slightly less plush over poor UK roads when fully laden compared with the Range Rover.
- The Mercedes GLE prioritises supreme ride comfort and quietness, making long motorway hauls relaxing, though its towing electronics are very capable.
- The Audi Q8 is solid and predictable, with good camera systems, but can feel a touch less magical in extreme low-speed manoeuvring or rough terrain.
For UK-specific towing – think wet motorways, narrow country lanes to campsites, or occasional farm tracks – the Sport's combination of supreme ride quality, height-adjustable air suspension (up to 281mm clearance) and wading depth gives it a clear edge for versatility.
Towing Technology and Practicality
Land Rover equips the Sport with thoughtful UK-friendly features: extended blind-spot monitoring that covers the trailer, clear 360-degree camera views with dynamic guidelines, and an intuitive Pivi Pro system that keeps trailer feeds prominent.
Rivals have caught up with similar suites:
- BMW and Mercedes offer trailer assist systems for reversing.
- Porsche provides precise controls but sometimes at the expense of the simpler “set and forget” ease the British tower might prefer.
- All include electrically operated tow bars as options, with full preparation for lights and stability systems.
The Sport's Terrain Response system (with dedicated Tow mode) remains unique in its depth for mixed on- and off-road use – ideal if your towing involves anything beyond tarmac.
Efficiency, Running Costs and Company Car Considerations
With rising fuel and tax pressures in the UK, PHEV variants matter.
- Range Rover Sport PHEVs deliver strong electric-only range (claimed figures approaching 70+ miles in some tests) and low CO₂, which helps with Benefit-in-Kind tax for company users, while still offering decent towing.
- BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE PHEVs are similarly efficient on paper, often posting competitive combined mpg figures when the battery is in play.
- Pure petrol and diesel models across the board return real-world towing economy in the low-to-mid 20s mpg, with the Sport's diesels often praised for their torque and frugality when loaded.
All sit in higher insurance groups and VED bands, but the Sport's strong residuals help offset that for private buyers.
Which One Should You Choose for Towing?
If outright luxury, off-road confidence and that effortless “load disappears” feel are your priorities, the Range Rover Sport still leads the luxury towing pack in the UK. It matches or beats rivals on capacity while offering superior versatility for British weather and roads.
Choose the Porsche Cayenne if you want the most engaging drive when not towing. Go for the BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE if you prioritise precision or outright comfort, respectively. The Audi Q8 is a capable all-rounder but rarely the standout in towing tests.
Priced from around £80,000 upwards (with well-specced examples pushing well over £100k), the Sport isn't the cheapest, but for those whose lifestyle demands both five-star refinement and genuine 3.5-tonne hauling ability without compromise, few rivals can match its all-round appeal.
Whether you're towing to the caravan club site in the Cotswolds or a horsebox to a rural event, the new Range Rover Sport doesn't just keep up with the Germans – in many real-world UK scenarios, it quietly pulls ahead.
