BMW X5 vs Range Rover Sport: G05 against L461
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
BMW · 2018–2026
X5 G05
- Power
- 280 kW381 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 5.4 s
- Kerb mass
- 2,267 kg
Land Rover · 2022–present
Range Rover Sport L461
- Power
- 294 kW400 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- —
- Kerb mass
- —
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: X5 G05 1 Range Rover Sport L461 0
- City X5 G05 Width: 2,004 mm vs 2,047 mm
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: All-wheel drive · SUV vs Four-wheel drive (4×4) · SUV
Verdict Opinion
The X5 is the better driver's SUV. It is lighter, it offers four-wheel steering, its 360 kW xDrive50e reaches 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, and Euro NCAP rated it ahead of the Land Rover for adults, children and pedestrians.
The Range Rover Sport is the more spacious and more versatile choice. It is larger in every dimension, its plug-ins go about 110 km on electricity, and a fully electric version is now on offer, something the current X5 cannot match.
— Felix Hartmann
Both are large, fast and expensive SUVs with straight-six engines at the heart of the range, yet they come from different traditions: BMW's from the road, Land Rover's from the rough. BMW released details of the fourth-generation X5 (G05) in June 2018, began sales that November and gave it a facelift in March 2023. The third-generation Range Rover Sport (L461) was revealed on 11 May 2022 on the MLA-Flex platform, sharing its unibody structure with the full-size Range Rover.
In short: the BMW X5 is lighter and more agile. The Range Rover Sport is larger, has the plug-in hybrid with the longer electric range and, since September 2026, a fully electric version. Background on both is in our BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport pages.
BMW X5 vs Range Rover Sport: how they differ
Six-cylinder petrol: xDrive40i against P400
The updated X5 xDrive40i has 280 kW and 520 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. The Range Rover Sport P400 uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six mild hybrid with 294 kW and 550 Nm; below it sits the P360 with 265 kW. Land Rover's diesels use the same six-cylinder layout: D250, D300 and D350 with 184, 221 and 257 kW. The X5 counters with the xDrive30d at 195 kW and 620 Nm.
Plug-in hybrids
The British brand offers four plug-ins, the P440e, P460e, P510e and P550e, all with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder and a 38.2 kWh battery; the strongest, the P550e, has 405 kW in our catalogue. Of the battery's capacity, 31.8 kWh is usable, and the P440e and P510e are rated for about 110 km of electric range. BMW's answer, the xDrive50e, is more powerful at 360 kW and 700 Nm, but its EPA electric range is only 64 km. On paper the Range Rover Sport covers almost twice the distance on electricity.
V8 and flagships
The Range Rover Sport P530 has a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with 390 kW and 750 Nm; the SV raises that to 467 kW (635 PS). The X5 M50i had 390 kW from its V8, and the X5 M Competition 459 kW (625 PS).
Electric Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport Electric was unveiled on 30 September 2026. It uses an 800-volt system, two motors and a 118.5 kWh battery for 550 PS and 850 Nm, with up to 600 km of WLTP range. The G05 X5 has no fully electric version.
Size and weight
The Range Rover Sport is 4,946 mm long, 2,047 mm wide and 1,820 mm tall on a 2,997 mm wheelbase. The X5 measures 4,935, 2,004 and 1,765 mm on a 2,975 mm wheelbase, so the Land Rover is 11 mm longer, 43 mm wider and 55 mm taller. The L461 weighs 2,322 kg, about 180 kg more than its predecessor; the X5 ranges from 2,060 to 2,286 kg.
Chassis
The X5 offers air suspension that changes ride height by 40 mm and four-wheel steering.
Euro NCAP
The X5 earned five stars in 2018 (adult occupants 89%, children 87%, pedestrians 75%). The Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid was tested in 2022: 85% for adults, 85% for children and 69% for vulnerable road users.
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| X5 G05 | Range Rover Sport L461 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,935 mm194.3 in | 4,946 mm194.7 in +11 mm +0.4 in +0.2% |
| Width | 2,004 mm78.9 in | 2,047 mm80.6 in +43 mm +1.7 in +2.1% |
| Height | 1,765 mm69.5 in | 1,820 mm71.7 in +55 mm +2.2 in +3.1% |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm117.1 in | 2,997 mm118.0 in +22 mm +0.9 in +0.7% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Too wide | Too wide |
Difference vs X5 G05 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| BMW X5 | Land Rover Range Rover Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | X5 G05 · xDrive40i · petrol · 280 kW (381 PS) | Range Rover Sport L461 · P400 · petrol · 294 kW (400 PS) |
| Production years | 2018–2026 | 2022–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Country | Germany | United Kingdom |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 280 kW (381 PS) 375 hp | 294 kW (400 PS) 394 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 135–460 kW (184–625 PS) 181–617 hp | 140–467 kW (190–635 PS) 188–626 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 520 Nm 384 lb-ft | 550 Nm 406 lb-ft Better |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 5.4 s | No data |
| Power per tonne | 124 kW/t 150 hp/ton calculated | No data |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 3,000 cc · 6 cyl 3.0 l | 3,000 cc · 6 cyl 3.0 l |
| Gearbox | automatic | No data |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | Four-wheel drive (4×4) |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm 194.3 in | 4,946 mm 194.7 in |
| Width | 2,004 mm 78.9 in | 2,047 mm 80.6 in |
| Height | 1,765 mm 69.5 in | 1,820 mm 71.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm 117.1 in | 2,997 mm 118.0 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 2,267 kg 4,998 lb | No data |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| CO₂ | 333 g/km | No data |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2018) | ★★★★★ (2022) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (3): Body, Fuel, Engine.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
In plain words
Land Rover Range Rover Sport has more power: 294 kW (400 PS) against 280 kW (381 PS) for BMW X5. Land Rover Range Rover Sport is 11 mm longer than BMW X5 (4,946 mm vs 4,935 mm). BMW X5 is the older design (from 1999); Land Rover Range Rover Sport arrived in 2005. On the catalog figures, the BMW X5 is the pick for city. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the Land Rover Range Rover Sport yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the BMW X5 if you want lower weight, sharp handling with four-wheel steering, or a 620 Nm diesel.
Choose the Range Rover Sport if you want the larger body or a plug-in hybrid with about 110 km of electric range. It is also the only one of the two available as an EV.
Both also meet Porsche on 1cars: BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport vs Porsche Cayenne.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, the X5 or the Range Rover Sport?
The Range Rover Sport: 4,946 mm long, 2,047 mm wide and 1,820 mm tall on a 2,997 mm wheelbase, against 4,935, 2,004 and 1,765 mm on 2,975 mm for the X5.
Which plug-in hybrid has more electric range?
The Range Rover Sport, at about 110 km from a 38.2 kWh battery. The X5 xDrive50e has an EPA-rated range of 64 km.
Is there an electric Range Rover Sport or X5?
The Range Rover Sport Electric was unveiled on 30 September 2026 with a 118.5 kWh battery and up to 600 km of WLTP range. The G05 X5 has no fully electric version.
Which is more powerful at the top of the range?
The Range Rover Sport SV with 467 kW (635 PS), slightly ahead of the X5 M Competition with 459 kW (625 PS).