Land Rover Discovery Sport

Exterior

The Land Rover Discovery Sport new model is undoubtedly a proportionate, beefy SUV with a lot of character. It is also longer than its predecessor and sits on a larger wheelbase as well. Up-front, the signature two-slat Land Rover grille looks good, while the wrap-around headlamps look distinctive. Viewed from the side, the SUV boasts of clean lines, mildly flared wheel arches and a sloping roofline. At the rear, it has sporty clear-lens tail lamps, a neat tailgate design that has 'Discovery' badging in bold, while there is also a skid plate and twin tailpipes on either side. 

Variants

The Land Rover Discovery Sport variants are as follows: Pure, SE, HSE and HSE Luxury. Features include Xenon headlights with LED signature, cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking aid, front parking aid, rear camera, park assist, auto-dimming, power fold, heated door mirrors with approach lights,12-way electric front seats with memory, Windsor leather seats, 60:40 second-row seats with slide and recline, Meridian sound system 825 W with 16 speaks plus subwoofer, 25.4 cm touchscreen, navigation pro, and configurable interior ambient lighting. Some high-end features include All Terrain Progress Control, Terrain Response, and Hill Descent Control. 

Interior

The Discovery Sport's cabin is neat, uncluttered and well put-together. The materials have a good feel to it. Everything feels well built. The dashboard design is perfectly simple yet angular in certain areas. Also, the touchscreen infotainment unit is user-friendly and responsive. Seated at the front, the driver has a commanding view of the road, while the seats are comfortable. Occupants seated in the middle row have well-cushioned seats to be seated on, which also provide ample under-thigh support. These seats can be moved forward and backward to free up space for the occupants in the last row. However, the last row is best used by children. 

Engine Specifications & Performance

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is powered by three engine options: a 2.0-litre petrol engine that makes 240hp and 340Nm of torque, and a 2.2-litre diesel engine available in two states of tune: 147bhp and 187bhp. All engines are paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

The 147bhp 'TD4' version is quiet and refined, while power delivery is linear. The gear-shifts, on the other hand, could've been smoother. You can also take control manually via the paddle-shifters. This motor performs best within urban conditions. The steering is well-weighted, and the Discovery Sport handles well. It feels very connected to the road; however not as direct as, say, an X3, but it comes close. Ride quality is good, as all the undulations are tackled with aplomb. But at low speeds, the SUV feels a bit stiffly sprung. Body control, too, is great at high speeds. 

Competitors

For the Land Rover Discovery Sport on-road price, you can also consider the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 or Mercedes-Benz GLC as an option.