2020 Range Rover Sport Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

When people hear Land Rover, they instantly think of highly capable vehicles with unrivaled off-road capability. The Range Rover Sport certainly lives up to this reputation. This vehicle is only in its second generation, but it is one that debuted way back in 2014. Although this may be concerning for some consumers, the Range Rover Sport has actually done a decent job updating and staying fresh.

Two new powertrains, one a mild hybrid and one a plug-in hybrid, are available for 2020. Also helping the Range Rover Sport stay current is the inclusion of standard smartphone integration through both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, another addition made for this year. A WiFi hot spot is now standard across the board as well.

Although the Range Rover Sport sounds like a trim level itself, it is actually its own midsize luxury SUV with six different variations. All of them offer up great performance and tech features to a degree. Each step up the trim ladder leads buyers closer to the ultimate version of the Range Rover Sport, known as the SVR.

However, does a consumer need to go with the top trim to get a good vehicle? Or will one of the lower trims do the job just fine at a more affordable price? That will ultimately depend on what the consumer is after. Considering the high price tags found on these vehicles, these are definitely questions worth answering.

The following is a thorough breakdown of the different 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport models. It highlights differences in an effort to help buyers choose the best model for them.

Compare the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE vs HSE Trims. What is the difference?

There are two different engines available for the entry-level SE trim level. Standard is a turbocharged inline-six working with a 48-volt electrical system. This setup will give the Range Rover Sport SE 355-horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine, as well as all other available engines, is paired to a eight-speed automatic transmission.

Those who prefer fuel efficiency and higher torque can also have the SE trim with a 3.0L V6 diesel. It will generate 254-horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of the engine choice, four-wheel-drive comes standard. Another two great touches for the Range Rover Sport line is an auto-leveling suspension and off-road traction control settings. Drivers can choose between five different drive modes. Moving through the modes adjusts the suspension and other off-road systems to increase capability.

The entry-level trim sits on 19-inch split-spoke alloy wheels. LED headlights are standard, as well as signature LED daytime running lights. The headlights even have a built-in washer. Heated side mirrors are included with a useful auto-dimming feature on the driver's side. The final noteworthy exterior feature is a power liftgate.

Both the driver and front passenger can enjoy the standard 14-way power-adjustment with 4-way power lumbar support in their seats. Grained leather is the norm, with buyers getting to choose between Almond and Ebony color schemes. The rearview mirror has an auto-dimming function as well.

Typically, the Range Rover Sport seats up to five people. The SE is one of the trims that also offers a third-row of seating, upping the maximum capacity to seven. Behind the rear seat, this vehicle offers up 27.5 cubic feet of space. Folding down the back seats will give drivers access to 59.5 cubic feet.

The infotainment system for the SE trim level uses two 10-inch touchscreens. There is also an eye-catching 12-inch interactive driver information display. Standard tech features on this entry-level model include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite and HD radio, and a WiFi hot spot.

Buyers find a respectable number of driver aids in the SE. They include a rearview camera, low-speed automatic braking, and front and rear parking sensors. Also included on all models are lane departure warning and lane keep assist.

The second option, called the HSE, has the same standard engine and is available with the diesel. This is also the first trim level to offer the plug-in hybrid option. It takes a turbo 2.0L inline-four engine and combines it with a 105-kW electric motor. This duo gives the Range Rover Sport 398-horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. While the inline-six as well as the diesel engine gives the Sport a towing capacity just over 7,700 pounds, the plug-in hybrid can only tow up to 5,500.

Going with this model will give buyers 20-inch wheels. It is the first trim level to get a panoramic sunroof as well as a power-folding feature for the side mirrors. The mirrors fold automatically when the vehicle is locked. As for the power liftgate, it gets a hands-free feature.

Inside, the HSE adds heat to the front seats. They also now have 16-way rather than 14-way adjustment. If drivers have selected the plug-in hybrid powertrain, it is important to note that they will not be able to add the third-row of seats. Cargo space is also negatively impacted, going down to 24.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.8 cubic feet with the back seats down.

Most models get a 13-speaker audio system rather than the standard 8-speaker one. Going with the plug-in powertrain means getting upgraded further to a 19-speaker system.

Significant upgrades are made to the list of standard driver aids. These models of the Range Rover Sport have a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. They also gain a drowsy driver monitor, 360-degree parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition. Drivers can also choose to add these features to the SE trim. The parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert are part of the Park package. Adding the Drive package gives the SE the blind spot monitor, drowsy driver monitor, and traffic sign recognition.

Compare the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE vs HST Trims. What is the difference?

The first significant change for the HST involves the powertrain. While it is still a turbocharged inline-six and an electric motor, the output has been increased to 395-horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque for this trim exclusively. It also gets an off-road package, which adds a low-speed transfer case and more modes for the drive-select feature. Most significantly, the HST adds a "rock crawl" mode. This package is available as an add-on for the first two trims.

Outside, this trim is recognizable thanks to its black roof, black-painted exterior trim, and 21-inch nine-spoke wheels. Red brake calipers are another distinguishing feature found on the HST. Buyers have the option of upgrading to 22-inch gloss black wheels.

The HST has an exclusive appearance package. It is called the Carbon Fiber Exterior Pack. Choosing to go with it adds carbon fiber finishing to the hood, grille surround, tailgate finisher, and fender vents.

Moving to the interior, the HST gets more leather trim. The steering wheel adds sporty paddle shifters. This trim gets sport seats in the front that are both heated and ventilated and the back seat gains heat. Tri-zone automatic climate control is standard and it also gets the 19-speaker sound system that was available for the HSE. This trim level is only available with two rows of seats, making the maximum seating capacity five here.

Compare the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HST vs HSE Dynamic. What is the difference?

This trim level is almost identical to the normal HSE trim. What sets it apart is its engine. Underneath the hood of the Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic is a supercharged 5.0L V8. With it, the vehicle can produce a mighty 518-horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque. It keeps the same eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive system as previous trim levels.

The HSE Dynamic does maintain some of the sportier elements added by the HST. It still has the red brake calipers and 21-inch wheels on the outside. Inside, it keeps the steering wheel paddles. It also has unique bright medal pedals.

Compare the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic vs Autobiography Trim Level. What is the difference?

The Autobiography trim is available with two different engines. Standard is the plug-in hybrid that uses a turbocharged inline four-cylinder and electric motor. Also available is the V8 that comes in the HSE Dynamic. Models with this engine may be referred to as a the "Autobiography Dynamic." While V8 models can have the third-row, the plug-in option once again gets rid of this option.

This trim level starts out with the features found on the HST. It then adds further interior upgrades, such as a heated steering wheel and power-closing doors. Perhaps the most significant upgrade involves the front seats. In these models, they have 22-way power-adjustment. They are both heated and ventilated and even offer power-adjustment for the cushion extension. Rear seats in this trim are heated and come with a memory function.

Compare the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography vs SVR Trims. What is the difference?

The final option for consumers interested in the 2020 Range Rover Sport is called the SVR. It has the same engine as the HSE dynamic but manages to squeeze out more power, generating 575-horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. This is the only trim level to offer a special sport electronic air suspension. Interestingly, the V8 engine in the HSE Dynamic and Autobiography can tow approximately 7,700 pounds, but in the SVR that number drops down to about 6,600.

Choosing the SVR means getting an active exhaust system that utilizes integrated exhaust mounted quad-tailpipes. This trim gets a unique mesh grille design to help it stand out from other models. It has unique SVR red brake calipers to further add to the sporty feel of this trim.

The seats inside the SVR buyers find special Windsor leather sport performance seats. They maintain the heat and ventilation features found on lower trims. The cabin also has configurable ambient interior lighting. No third row is available here, despite the fact that the plug-in hybrid powertrain is not an option.

Like the HST, the SVR has an exclusive exterior appearance package. It adds the same features as the HST carbon fiber pack. Also added is an exposed carbon fiber hood center, something that is exclusive to the top-of-the-line SVR.

2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport: Which Trim to Choose?

With six options, selecting the right version of the Range Rover Sport can seem difficult. The SE trim can be skipped over simply because it offers so much less than all of the other trims. The HSE is an attractive option with its three available powertrains and significantly upgraded cabin.

The main thing going for the upper trim levels is their available or standard powertrain. This may be enough to sway some buyers. Most people, however, will find the standard engine or diesel option to have plenty of horsepower for their daily lives.

Driving off in the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE is going to be the right call for many buyers. This is due to the fact that it offers the features that today's drivers actually need in an impressive package.