Which Range Rover Engine is Best?

SDV6 3.0-litre diesel

A 3.0-litre capacity, six-cylinder diesel engine, in a ‘V’ configuration. This engine was a ground-up design, engineered originally for Jaguar and introduced in 2004. Internally, JLR designates this as the “Lion” engine. Land Rover-bound variants are tweaked to improve off-road performance. The core component, the cylinder block is made from a compacted graphite iron, a lighter and more robust alternative to cast iron.

This engine’s power is rated at 275hp between 3,500rpm and 4,250rpm. A maximum torque of 625Nm is available between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, making it suitable for towing and inner-city driving. Combined fuel consumption is 31.1mpg.

Available on: Range Rover Vogue, Range Rover Autobiography SWB, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar.

Good for: Everyday driving and low-down grunt

SDV8 4.4-litre diesel

This V8 diesel has plenty of power and torque. With a 4.4-litre capacity, it’s quite a sizeable engine, capable of producing 339 horsepower at 3,500rpm and delivering 740Nm of torque between 1,750-2,250 rpm. 

This powerplant is a derivative of the smaller SDV6, developed and built by Ford for JLR. With the Blue Oval’s know-how and engineering expertise, it makes for a winning combo. A Range Rover with this engine can tow up to 3.5 tonnes.

Available on: All Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports

Good for: Frequent towers - if you own a horsebox, classic car or boat trailer for example.

5.0-litre SC V8

This large capacity 5.0-litre V8 is all about performance. It has a supercharger, which compresses air, creating more power during the combustion process, but also adding a distinctive sound. The V8 petrol engine has the most desirable and guttural sound of the range, though some may not be interested in that. 

It also sports the best outright performance. There are two variants, one with 525HP and 625Nm, the other with a startling 565HP and 700Nm of torque. 

Both engines will propel a Range Rover Autobiography Standard Wheel Base from 0-60 in only 5.4 seconds. In a Range Rover Sport SVR model, that figure drops to 4.3 seconds.

Available on: Range Rover Autobiography SWB & LWB, Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic & LWB, Range Rover Velar Autobiography Dynamic, Range Rover Sport SVR & Autobiography Dynamic.

Good for: Performance, acceleration, sound, driving experience

PHEV models

Both the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport can be purchased as a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

These 2.0-litre petrol engines possess an impressive 404HP, but thanks to the on-board hybrid motor and battery pack, boast fuel economy figures of up to 83.2 mpg and an electric-only range of 25 miles.

Available on: Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and the Range Rover Evoque

Good for: All-rounder, fuel economy, electric-only mode

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