A former British Touring Car support racer, Nick is the founder of ChooseMyCar and brings years of industry insight to the world of cars and car buying.
Overall Rating
4.2/5
Based on expert evaluation and real-world testing
Performance
4
Comfort & Interior
4.6
Running Costs
3.4
Practicality
4.5
Expert Review
Our ratings are based on thorough testing and expert evaluation. We consider all aspects of the vehicle, from performance to value for money, ensuring you get a transparent and reliable assessment.
Overview
Looking for a versatile SUV that combines premium comfort with genuine off-road capability? The Land Rover Discovery Sport might be exactly what you’re searching for. This premium compact SUV delivers the legendary Land Rover experience in a family-friendly package that’s equally at home on school runs and weekend adventures. It’s designed for families who want luxury, space, and the confidence to tackle any terrain.
From the moment you see it, the Discovery Sport commands attention with its distinctive Land Rover styling and upright stance. Its bold grille and muscular proportions give it a confident presence that rivals like the BMW X3 or Audi Q5 can match but not surpass. The real strength becomes apparent when you explore the interior and capabilities. The cabin feels genuinely premium with high-quality materials, while the optional seven-seat configuration makes it incredibly versatile for growing families.
Driving the Discovery Sport feels reassuringly solid and composed. The refined engines provide smooth power delivery for everyday driving, while the advanced Terrain Response system transforms it into a surprisingly capable off-road machine when the adventure calls. It handles family duties with ease while offering genuine go-anywhere capability. While running costs are higher than mainstream alternatives, you’re investing in a vehicle that combines British luxury, proven reliability, and the flexibility to handle whatever life throws at you.
What's the Land Rover Discovery Sport Like to Drive?
The Discovery Sport offers a well-balanced range of engines designed for refinement rather than outright performance. The entry-level D165 diesel provides around 163 horsepower and delivers smooth, quiet progress that’s perfectly suited to family driving. For those wanting more power, the D200 and D250 diesel variants offer stronger acceleration, making motorway merging and overtaking feel effortless and confident.
Where the Discovery Sport truly excels is in its driving composure and capability. The steering is precise and well-weighted, while the suspension strikes an excellent balance between comfort and control. On-road, it feels stable and secure, soaking up bumps while maintaining good body control through corners. Off-road capability is where it really shines, with the Terrain Response system and excellent ground clearance making it genuinely capable on rough terrain. This makes it an ideal choice for families who actually use their SUV for outdoor adventures rather than just posing.
Key Features
Essential specifications and features
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Engine
2.0L 4-cylinder Diesel / 2.0L 4-cylinder Petrol
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Power Output
163 - 249 bhp
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0-60 mph
9.8 - 7.1 seconds
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MPG Combined
35 - 45 mpg
- Boot Space
- 840 litres (5 seats)
- Safety Rating
- (Euro NCAP)
Inside the Land Rover Discovery Sport: Comfort & Features
Step inside and you’re immediately struck by the Discovery Sport’s premium ambience. The dashboard design is modern and uncluttered, dominated by the Touch Pro infotainment system that controls most functions. Material quality is excellent throughout, with soft-touch plastics, quality leather options, and solid build quality that feels genuinely upmarket. The driving position is commanding, giving you an excellent view of the road ahead.
The front seats are supportive and comfortable for long journeys, with plenty of adjustment to find your ideal position. Space is generous in both rows, with adults able to travel comfortably in the back seats. The optional third row transforms it into a genuine seven-seater, though the rearmost seats are best suited to children. Refinement is impressive, with good sound insulation keeping road and wind noise to a minimum. Standard equipment includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher specifications add features like panoramic sunroof and premium Meridian sound system.
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is an excellent choice if you prioritise versatility, capability, and premium quality in a family SUV. It successfully delivers genuine Land Rover DNA in a more manageable size, offering impressive off-road capability alongside refined on-road manners. The interior quality and seven-seat flexibility make it particularly appealing for growing families who don’t want to compromise on luxury. The main trade-offs are higher running costs and slightly slower performance compared to some German rivals. It’s not the sportiest SUV to drive, but that’s not its purpose. It’s designed to be a capable, comfortable, and versatile family vehicle that can genuinely go anywhere. If your budget allows and you value the unique combination of British luxury, practical flexibility, and genuine off-road ability, the Discovery Sport is hard to beat.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Land Rover Discovery Sport?
As a premium SUV, the Discovery Sport comes with correspondingly higher running costs than mainstream alternatives. Fuel economy varies depending on the engine choice, with diesel models achieving around 35-45 mpg in real-world driving. The petrol engines and hybrid variants offer different cost profiles, with the P300e plug-in hybrid potentially offering significant savings for those who can charge regularly and drive mainly on shorter journeys.
The main consideration is the initial purchase price, which starts at around £43,000 for a new model. Insurance groups are higher than mainstream SUVs, reflecting both the premium positioning and repair costs. Depreciation is reasonable for the segment, with strong residual values helping offset the higher purchase price. When it comes to reliability, recent models have shown improvements, though early versions had some electrical issues. Regular servicing is essential, and how to find the cheapest car finance deals in the uk can help manage the monthly costs through competitive finance packages.
How Does It Compare?
Compare key features and specifications
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land-rover discovery-sport
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BMW X3
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Audi Q5
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| Starting Price | £43,000 | £41,000 | £42,000 |
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Performance
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| Engine | 2.0L Diesel 163hp | 2.0L Diesel 190hp | 2.0L Diesel 204hp |
| Power | 163 bhp | 190 bhp | 204 bhp |
| 0-60 mph | 9.8 seconds | 8.1 seconds | 7.6 seconds |
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Running Costs
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| MPG Combined | 42 mpg | 46 mpg | 44 mpg |
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Practicality
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| Boot Space | 840 litres | 550 litres | 520 litres |
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Standard Features
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| Key Features | Seven seats optional, Terrain Response, Premium interior | Sporty handling, Strong engines, Quality interior | Refined ride, Virtual cockpit, Quattro all-wheel drive |
Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport Practical for Everyday Use?
For family use, the Discovery Sport is impressively practical. The 840-litre boot with five seats in place is genuinely generous, easily accommodating a family’s luggage for a week-long holiday. The rear seats fold flat to create a huge cargo area for larger items like furniture or sports equipment. The optional third row of seats transforms it into a genuine seven-seater, though the rearmost seats are better suited to children on shorter journeys.
Where the Discovery Sport particularly excels is in its versatility and capability. The high driving position makes it easy to get in and out, while the wide-opening doors aid access to child seats. Compared to other used Land Rover cars, it offers a perfect balance of size and practicality without being unwieldy in town. The interior storage is well thought out, with plenty of cupholders, door pockets, and storage compartments for family life’s essentials.
“We’ve had our Discovery Sport for three years now and it’s been brilliant for our family of five. The seven seats are perfect for school runs and the boot space is huge. The only minor issue has been the infotainment system occasionally freezing, but otherwise it’s been completely reliable.” by Sarah Mitchell
The Land Rover Discovery Sport stands out in the premium SUV market by offering a unique combination of luxury, practicality, and genuine capability. It packages Land Rover’s renowned off-road expertise and premium build quality into a family-friendly SUV that’s equally suited to urban driving and outdoor adventures. The optional seven-seat configuration and generous storage make it exceptionally versatile for family life.
You choose the Discovery Sport because you want an SUV that doesn’t compromise. Its refined interior, commanding driving position, and proven capability make every journey more enjoyable, whether it’s the daily school run or a weekend camping trip. It’s perfectly suited for families who want premium quality with genuine versatility. If you’re looking for a premium SUV that offers more space and capability than most rivals, the Discovery Sport should be at the top of your list, especially with competitive finance options making it more accessible.