Introducing the Discovery Sport
When it was originally launched, the Discovery Sport surprised many people. There was certainly nothing new about a sporty looking SUV that could carry the whole family in luxury and comfort; but one that could easily tackle off-road terrain without batting an eyelid? Well, that was something of a revelation.
Discovery Sport continues to impress to this day, which is in part thanks to the mid-life refresh. The facelift brought a host of changes, including a revised appearance, an updated range of engines, and a number of innovative technologies.
Keep on reading to learn more about the Land Rover Discovery Sport and how its innovative technologies make it more than simply form over function.
Design and Practicality
Modern Land Rovers look utterly superb, and the Discovery Sport is no different. The rear end has been revised with features such as LED tail lights, while contemporary alloy wheel designs complement the other sharp details such as the scrolling indicators.
Inside is suitably spacious, with the Discovery Sport gifting comfortable seating for up to seven people, which is fairly unheard of in this class. Upfront, the driver will enjoy plenty of seat adjustment, while the steering wheel adjusts for rake and reach. Fitting a child's seat is easy because of the accessible ISOFIX anchor points in the rear seats.
The boot is large with the third row of seats folded down, and it is straight-forward to create a van-like cargo area because the second row of seats can be folded down at the press of a button. With a boot capacity ranging from 157 to 1,794 litres, you will have plenty of space for essentials even with all seats in place. There is hardly a loading lip either, which really helps when loading and unloading cumbersome items.
Technology and Safety
Among the plush materials and soft-touch plastics are a number of innovative technologies. The 10-inch Pivi infotainment system features a newly designed interface and includes DAB digital radio as well as Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Connectivity is enhanced even further thanks to Amazon Alexa voice-control. Move up the range, and you will be joined by the latest in-car artificial intelligence, which gets quickly acquainted and caters to the driver's preferences.
Equally impressive is the new high-resolution 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display which comes as standard of the higher specification models. Each car comes with Front and Rear Parking Aid as standard, and transmits the image via the infotainment screen courtesy of the 3D Surround Camera.
Advanced driver assistance features include (but are not limited to):
- Cruise Control and Speed Limiter
- Emergency Braking
- Driver Condition Monitor
- Lane Keep Assist
Engines and Performance
There are three petrol and two diesel engines to choose from with Discovery Sport, with a mild-hybrid and a plug-in hybrid available on certain models. An automatic transmission and four-wheel drive is standard across the range, unless you opt for the entry-level diesel, which is front-wheel drive and comes with a manual gearbox.
The two diesel engines offer plenty of flexibility, as well as excellent efficiency. They are available in two outputs (161 and 201bhp) and return just over 40mpg on a combined WLTP cycle.
Meanwhile, the petrol engines offer more punch throughout the rev range and come with either 197, 246 or 286bhp. The P300e plug-in hybrid combines with a 1.5-litre engine to deliver 305bhp, yet can return up to 143.1mpg on a WLTP combined cycle.
Land Rover's intelligent four-wheel drive system uses a number of computers to optimise grip on a variety of challenging terrains, ensuring every off-road adventure is a stress-free experience.
Charging
Located on the rear fender, on the opposite side of the vehicle to the fuel filler cap, is the charge port flap. The plug-in electric hybrid model is available with a Mode 2 Home Charging Cable which will fully charge the compact SUV in 6 hours 42 minutes, using a standard home plug socket.
Faster charging is an option, using the Mode 3 Charging Cable and plugging it into a 7kW AC domestic wall box or AC public charge point. This method will take just 1 hour 24 minutes to reach 80 percent charge.
Thanks to the increasingly large network of Land Rover Charging Points, replenishing the Discovery Sport's battery is a simple process, conveniently available through the Land Rover Charging smartphone app.
Discovery Sport Models
Discovery Sport
Key features:
- 17" Style 1005, 10 spoke, Satin Dark Grey alloy wheels
- Rain sensing windscreen wipers
- Automatic LED headlights
- Manual Headlight Levelling
- Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror
- Fabric seats
- 8-way heated manual front seats
- Leather steering wheel
- Pivi with 10" touchscreen
- Cruise Control and Speed Limiter
- Driver Condition Monitor
- Lane Keep Assist
- Front and Rear Parking Aid
- Emergency Braking
- 3D Surround Camera
- Amazon Alexa
S
Key features in addition to Discovery Sport:
- 18" Style 5075, 5 split-spoke, Gloss Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
- Rear Animated Directional Indicators
- Grained leather seats
- 12-way heated electric front seats with 2-way manual headrests
- Pivi Pro with 10" touchscreen
- Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
SE
Key features in addition to S:
- 20" Style 5076, 5 split-spoke, Gloss Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
- Premium LED headlights with signature DRL
- Front and Rear Animated Directional Indicators
- Auto High Beam Assist (AHBA)
- Automatic Headlight Levelling
- Fixed panoramic roof
- Powered tailgate / boot lid
- 12-way heated electric driver memory front seats with 2-way manual headrests
- Interactive Driver Display
- Blind Spot Assist Pack: Blind Spot Assist, Clear Exit Monitor and Rear Traffic Monitor
HSE
Key features in addition SE:
- 20" Style 5089, 5 split-spoke, Gloss Silver alloy wheels
- ClearSight interior rear view mirror
- Keyless Entry
- Windsor leather seats
- 14-way heated, electric seats with driver memory and 2-way manual headrests
- Full leather steering wheel
- Meridian™ Sound System
- Driver Assist Pack: Blind Spot Assist, Clear Exit Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Traffic Monitor and Rear Collision Monitor
Discovery Sport R-Dynamic Models
R-Dynamic S Plus
Key features in addition to Discovery Sport:
- 20" Style 5076, 5 split-spoke, Gloss Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
- Black Exterior Pack
- Rear Animated Directional Indicators
- Privacy glass
- Powered tailgate / boot lid
- Body-coloured wheel surround and side sills
- Dynamic front and rear bumper design
- Integrated exhaust graphic on rear bumper
- Perforated leather steering wheel
- Shadow Aluminium trim finisher
- Grained leather seats
- 12-way heated electric front seats with 2-way manual headrests
- Metal treadplates with R-Dynamic branding
- Satin Chrome gearshift paddles
- Bright Metal Pedals
- Pivi Pro with 10" touchscreen
- Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
R-Dynamic S (only available with the P300e plug-in hybrid powertrain)
Key features in addition to Discovery Sport:
- 18" Style 5074, 5 split-spoke, Gloss Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
- Rear Animated Directional Indicators
- Powered tailgate / boot lid
- Black Exterior Pack
- R-Dynamic styled front and rear bumpers
- Grained leather seats
- Perforated leather steering wheel
- Shadow Aluminium trim finisher
- Satin Chrome gearshift paddles
- Metal treadplates with R-Dynamic branding
- R-Dynamic badge
- Pivi Pro with 10" touchscreen
- Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
R-Dynamic SE
Key features in addition to R-Dynamic S:
- 20" Style 5076, 5 split-spoke, Satin Dark Grey alloy wheels
- Premium LED headlights with signature DRL
- Front and Rear Animated Directional Indicators
- Auto High Beam Assist (AHBA)
- Automatic Headlight Levelling
- Fixed panoramic roof
- 12-way heated electric driver memory front seats with 2-way manual headrests
- Interactive Driver Display
- Blind Spot Assist Pack: Blind Spot Assist, Clear Exit Monitor and Rear Traffic Monitor
R-Dynamic HSE
Key features in addition to R-Dynamic SE:
- 20" Style 5089, 5 split-spoke, Gloss Dark Grey with contrast Diamond Turned finish alloy wheels
- ClearSight interior rear view mirror
- Keyless Entry
- Illuminated metal front treadplates with R-Dynamic branding
- Windsor leather seats
- 14-way heated electric seats with driver memory and 2-way manual headrests
- Perforated full leather steering wheel
- Meridian™ Sound System
- Drive Assist Pack: Blind Spot Assist, Clear Exit Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Traffic Monitor and Rear Collision Monitor
Special Edition Models
Discovery Sport Black
Key features in addition to R-Dynamic S/S Plus:
- 20" Style 5089, 5 split-spoke, Gloss Black alloy wheels
- Red brake calipers
- Premium LED headlights with signature DRL
- Automatic Headlight Levelling
- Front and Rear Animated Directional Indicators
- Keyless Entry
- Black contrast fixed panoramic roof
- Luxtec and suedecloth seats
- Perforated full leather steering wheel
- Titanium Mesh trim finisher
- Interactive Driver Display
- Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
- Configurable Dynamic
Test drive the Discovery Sport
It is easy to see why the Discovery Sport has proven so popular since its launch. A sporty SUV wearing the famous Land Rover badge was always going to be highly sought after, but adding in the efficiency of the hybrid systems alongside the innovative driver technologies simply enhance an already desirable vehicle.
The ability to tackle any terrain and seat seven are further reasons to love the Discovery Sport, not that the extra justification was required.
Please contact your nearest Stratstone Land Rover retailer to arrange a test drive.