The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a premium compact SUV that is smaller than the Land Rover LR4, larger than the Range Rover Evoque. The Discovery Sport seats up to five people, but can be ordered with a third row suitable for young people and is called five. 2 seats.
Discovery Sport competes with the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60, Jeep Grand Cherokee and GMC Terrain Denali, none of which will offer a third row of seats. Less sumptuous and less complicated cars such as the Nissan Rogue, Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander and Mitsubishi Outlander will offer a third row. For a five-seat with more cargo area and smart off-road capability, consider a Subaru Outback, too.
The Discovery Sport stands out because it’s a Land Rover with Land Rover-styling cues, an airy and effective cabin, modern protection and telematics features, and above-average off-road functionality and towing capacity (up to around 4,400 pounds). With the right equipment, InControl allows you to run iOS and Android phone apps in the car.
A 2-liter turbocharged engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission (shared with the Evoque) offer functionality and a fuel-efficient appearance on the highway. EPA city/highway estimates are 20/26, 22 combined.
The Discovery Sport SE ($37,995) comes with eight-way forced leather seats, a rearview camera and parking assist, force-folding mirrors, Terrain Response, seven airbags and a stereo with 10 speakers. A third-row seat is optional ($1,750).
The Discovery Sport HSE features leather upholstery, a panoramic glass roof, HID headlights, front and rear fog lights, parking sensors, a forced tailgate and passive access.
The Discovery Sport HSE Luxury ($55,000) upgrades the leather and audio system, adds navigation, SiriusXM and HD radio, configurable ambience and other features.
At just over 15 feet long, the Discovery Sport is a convenient length for motive power and a few inches taller than the box-shaped original Discovery. Beyond the cantilever roof of previous LR models, however, it offers more styling features with the range. Rovers, adding front marker lights, side vents and a rounded tail similar to the Range Rover Sport and wheel arch openings virtually the same as the Evoque.
The forward slope and roof drop as steep as those of an Evoque and the side windows are generous. Options come with a contrasting roof, large and/or black wheels, and black trim. The appearance is that of a modern aerodynamic crossover rather than an absolutely functional application vehicle, as evidenced by its ability to tackle steeper slopes in the opposite direction than forward.
The Discovery Sport seats five adults, with an optional third-row for kids for seven people or more, as it should be called a five-2. The driving position is more car-like than previous Land Rovers and is just as comfortable and supportive. The second row slides back and forth more than six inches for more space, the seatbacks recline for comfort, and the seats are higher for greater visibility for rear passengers. The second row is split and folds almost flat to increase the shipping capacity from 33 to 67 cubic liters. feet. Once installed, the five0/five split third row is even taller for cinema seats and is designed for young people in terms of length and padding.
The interior is professional and functional, with vertical styling, black-on-white readable touch controls and Jaguar weather controls. The front console houses the electronic parking brake and retractable shift lever. The flexibility of the console includes flip-up lids and detachable cup holders to hold a 2-litre bottle and a garage area to hide a camera or small bag.
Features include face-height air vents and a USB charging port for all rows of seats, an eight-inch touchscreen and potentially six USB ports, four 12V DC power outlets, three-dimensional navigation with on- and off-road modes, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. . .
The Discovery Sport drives a bit like a car crossover, with handling and performance, but it has Land Rover’s above-average features once the road is over. Consider what’s underneath the body: a long-wheelbase, much-revised Range Rover Evoque. and up-to-date.
The Discovery Sport uses the Evoque’s 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and ZF nine-speed automatic transmission. With 4 overdrive speeds, the engine’s intelligent low-revving torque, which tops out at 251 pound-feet, is a higher number than the 240 horsepower, allowing it to run more at higher speeds at lower rpm for better fuel economy. It’s quite stylish to drive and Land Rover claims it goes from 0 to 100km/h in 7. 8 seconds; The tires are rated for a top speed of 124 mph.
The transmission can be replaced manually with the paddles on the idler. It starts in momentary gear when it’s suitable for better fuel economy, and can jump gears when making downshifts, as there’s only very modest acceleration in eighth or ninth gear.
Terrain Response controls the engine, transmission, all-wheel-drive system, guiding effort and chassis electronic aids in five modes: the default Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Trail, Sand and Dynamic operating modes for more dynamic driving. Road response. Terrain Response makes the Discovery Sport as easy to drive on the trails as it is on the highway and is an important component of explaining its off-road capabilities. The rest comes from smart clearances, the ability to stay dry, and the ease of seeing outside.
The suspension is completely independent for ride quality and agility, which also helps keep the weight at around 4,000 pounds for the base model. The brakes offer a firm, easy-to-modulate pedal, a comfortable feel for running on two muddy tracks, and feel and functionality on the road.
In addition to Array stability, the Discovery Sport also has trailer balancing and towing assist. Available motive force aids include Park Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limits/Overtaking Restrictions on the Navigation Display and Autonomous Emergency Braking to avoid or mitigate the effects of a collision. at speeds between 3 and 80 km/h.
The Discovery Sport is smart, functional and versatile. It combines the ride and features you need for everyday driving with best-in-class features for off-road and harsh weather conditions.
Driving impressions via Bengt Halvorson, The Car Connection; G. R. Whale, New Car Test Drive, contributed to this report.