We’d all like to think that we’re above SUVs, but few other vehicles can swallow buggies, car seats, shopping and occasionally the in-laws quite so well. The Land Rover Discovery Sport is particularly adept in this regard, and now that used ones can be had for £13,000, it’s a tempting alternative to an estate.
The Disco Sport arrived in 2014 as a more practical replacement for the Freelander 2, thanks to the option of two flip-out perches from the boot floor. To begin with, it had to make do with a 187bhp 2.2-litre diesel from its predecessor before the 2.0-litre Ingenium engine appeared in 2015.
You can get this in 148bhp eD4, 178bhp TD4 and 237bhp SD4 forms. Then the world went off diesels, so petrol engines in 237bhp and 287bhp guises were hastily added in 2018.
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There have been nine different trim levels, and among those to consider are SE Tech and the popular HSE. SE Tech gets you sat-nav, all-round parking sensors and an electric tailgate, while HSE has a Meridian sound system, full leather, a rear-view camera and a panoramic glass roof.
On the road, we’d recommend avoiding any with 20in wheels. Around town, the ride is a bit jittery anyway, and the suspension picks up expansion joints and potholes even more noticeably with these wheels. That said, larger bumps are dealt with well, and once you’re up to speed on a long journey, the ride smooths out admirably.
The Discovery Sport’s propensity to lean in corners prevents it from feeling as crisp as its more sporting rivals. Throw in the fact that the most popular diesel engines – the 148bhp and 178bhp versions – are decidedly lethargic and it’s clear that this isn’t a car to be rushed. More powerful engines help but also increase thirst dramatically.
We’d go for the nine-speed automatic gearbox over the six-speed manual, too, because it suits the Discovery Sport’s character and will make the car easier to sell on. Still, it isn’t all bad. With direct steering and plentiful grip, the Discovery Sport feels secure and connected to the road all the time.
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I specced the dynamic suspension. Somewhere I read it gives Disco an almost RR ride. Well, I do not know what exactly dynamic suspension do, I do not feel the difference between modes, but I do always ride in dynamic mode.
As for comparing to RR, that reviewer was having a laugh. RR feels like a bank vault, quiet, solid, big. Disco feels more like a tin box after a drive in RR. It is much smaller, but it is quiet on the road, comfortable and easy to drive.
Ah, yes, 20 inch wheels. I refused to take these even though they came with the packages I took (my car is HSE Sport Lux), I went for 19 inch for more rubber and air, giving me more cushioning and less worries around curbs. This car does not need flashy 20 wheels imho, it is not flashy or sporty enough. It looks good with 19s.
I have 240hp petrol version with 4x4. 29.1mpg (9.74L/100km) is about correct, when you stand a lot in queues. I get below 8L/100Km on average, have seen 5.7L on one ride. Yes, I am not flooring it, no point, but I do have hills here (300-400 meters vertical climb).
Car is in principle OK. Looks great, functional inside, loads of space in the rear seat and trunk.
Navigation (I have the standard one) is relatively slow.
Connecting to phone through bluetooth takes ages, several attempts every time.
The parking camera does not work at all times, sometimes, for whatever reason, it just stops working. Have been with that problem to service twice, they just updated software, which made front parking sensors NOT work at all times, but the camera problem has not been fixed. The new software (which is apparently also on other models from Land Rover) turns off front parking sensors when moving forward! This is dumb in my opinion, so when moving out of tight spaces I have to click the button on the dash for the sensors to start to work.
So, all in all, I am pretty content with the car, but it has these niggles. I say, British cannot build cars, bikes are also questionable (I had Triumph Daytona 675, loved it, now have Speed Triple RS, it is great except for quickshifter/blipper which is subpar).
I bought the car new on towards 30% discount, and I like the looks, and, importand, my better half likes the looks.
But if I were to look now, I would most likely buy BMW X3M.