In Brief...
At first glance it may look like the Land Rover Discovery Sport is just a rehash of the Discovery, however the two are quite distinctive. Sure, it can accommodate up to seven people as well, but this is a smaller SUV with greater versatility for inner-city driving, while still excelling in the outback. Most models are full-time AWD, but some of the options can be driven with only the front wheels, allowing petrol consumption to reduce. Considering the more aggressive starting price on offer here, the equipment range is vast and impressive with many of the features found in its bigger brother embedded into the Sport. The engine range is somewhat toned down, but there is sprightly movement and an accommodating suspension setup that ensures solid balance. Despite the absence of high-speed and low-range gears, Land Rover has fitted the Discovery Sport with a nine-speed automatic transmission that is fluid and sharp. The additional gear is a godsend, with the lowest one particularly favourable to unstable terrain. Inside the cabin you have an impressive level of detail in the finishes, good noise isolation and a decisive view of the road. Add in as much as 2500kg braked towing capacity, and around 1700L of cargo space, this is a genuine SUV option for those wanting a taste of the Discovery without fully committing to off-road driving or the dearer price-tag that comes with it.
