DISCOVERING A DIFFERENT WAY 25/02/2020 00:00:00
By Jonathan Crouch
Introduction
Land Rover reckons that this Discovery Sport is the most versatile premium mid-sized SUV from its era - and it's a credible claim. This is, after all, the only prestigiously-badged car in this segment from the 2014-2018 period that can seat seven. It's also smart, practical, safe - and rugged enough to go a lot further than its rivals off the beaten track. In short, for the used car buyer seeking an SUV in this class from this period, there's nothing else quite like it.
Models
5dr Mid-Sized SUV (2.0-litre TD4 diesel - 150, 180PS)
History
Think of Land Rover's product line-up and you have to think in terms of three things: 'Luxury', as defined by the various Range Rover models. The 'Dual Purpose' practical role typified by the tough Defender range. And the 'Leisure' emphasis of the Discovery line-up, one that starts right here with this car, the Discovery Sport.
Yes, this is Land Rover's representative in the important mid-sized SUV segment but when this model was first introduced back in 2014, it was far more than simply a direct replacement for the Freelander models that previously filled that role. The Freelander was a model that sat uncertainly between mainstream RAV4 and CR-V-style soft roaders in this class and the more premium-badged models typified by contenders like BMW's X3 and Audi's Q5. As a far more up market-looking thing, this Discovery Sport from the very beginning firmly positioned itself amongst with the pricier players.
It was certainly stylish enough to do so - though stylishly practical rather than stylishly fashionable. The difference is important, for this car was carefully designed to appeal to a different, more family-orientated set of buyers than those targeted by the Solihull company's similarly sized and priced but much trendier Range Rover Evoque. Further setting these two models apart is the Discovery Sport's other key attribute - and the major selling point it offers over its smaller predecessor: namely its ability to seat seven.
So you've got the idea. This car's different from a Freelander, different from an Evoque and, according to Land Rover at least, different from the competition too. That seven-seat configuration was, after all, a first in the premium part of the SUV sector. Nor, before 2014, had this segment ever had a contender that could actually seriously pull its weight off road. Add in quality, technology and the usual unrivalled brand equity and it wasn't any surprise that the Discovery Sport sold so well. It was originally launched with the Ford-derived SD4 engines from the old Freelander, but within a year of production, these had been switched in favour of Land Rover's fresh range of more efficient 'Ingenium' 2.0-litre petrol and diesel units. Those were eventually updated in mid-2019 by Ingenium engines featuring mild hybrid technology, these introduced as part of this model's mid-term update. The kind of Discovery Sport you're most likely to find on the used market though, will be a 2015-2018-era straightforward Ingenium-engined version, so that's what we're going to concentrate on here.
What You Get
Prior to this model's arrival, family SUVs with space for three rows of seats looked boxy and boring. The Discovery Sport is different, disguising its size really well. The smart front end helps here, with sleek, wraparound corners that reduce the visual bulk of the front overhang and are embellished by careful little touches of design.
Up-front in the so-called 'Sports Command Driving Position', you'll find yourself in a pleasant perch from which you realise just how far the designers of this car have come since they created the Freelander. The big buttons and utilitarian plastic surfaces of that car are here replaced by soft touch rotary controls and tactile buttons set in gloss-black surrounds.
The key cabin feature though, lies in the centre of the dash. Back in 2014, the 8-inch infotainment screen offered here was state-of-the-art and sure enough, this touchscreen monitor is clear, easy to navigate around and very informative. If you're minded to move rearwards and experience this car from a passenger perspective, you'll find the second row experience enhanced by the way that this middle row's so-called 'stadium' seating is slightly raised by 50mm, giving occupants the kind of very good view out they always appreciated in the old Freelander. Back here, you really appreciate the extra 80mm of wheelbase this car enjoys over its Range Rover Evoque stablemate, something further aided by neat cut-outs in the backs of the front seats that free up more space for your knees. If you need more, then the seat base can be slid back and forwards by up to 160mm to create as much as 112mm of knee room and 1,011mm of leg room - which could make this rear seat almost as accommodating as that in a Range Rover.
You won't want to be pushing this second row bench back though, if you've passengers above pre-school age sat behind you in the fold-out third row. Land Rover calls this car a '5+2'-seater, which probably clues you into the fact that these extra pews are for occasional child use only.
What about luggage space? Any vehicle that bills itself as being in any way 'compact', yet which claims to offer space for seven people would, you'd think, surely be compromised here. In the event, the issues aren't insurmountable, mainly because of the key engineering feature that under the skin, sets the Discovery Sport apart from its Range Rover Evoque showroom stablemate. Though the two cars share the same front end structure, this car's unique from the B-pillar backwards, is 80mm longer and gets its own very compact multi-link rear axle which frees up space for the fold-out third row seating and ensures that the rear suspension turrets make minimal intrusion into the luggage area. As a result, there's a class-competitive capacity of around 500-litres measured up to tonneau cover-level - or as much as 829-litres if you load up to the roof.
What You Pay
Please contact us for an exact up-to-date valuation.
What to Look For
Land Rover products have been featuring much improved build quality in recent years but our owner survey revealed that the brand still has a little way to go to match its German rivals in this regard. We came across several owners who'd had issues. There were plenty of reports of difficult-to-fix rattles and squeaks, so look out for those on your test drive and ignore cars that seem particularly plagued in this way. Electrical issues are relatively common too, so make sure the infotainment screen and all the main electrical functions are operating properly. Unlike its obvious segment rivals, this car might just have been used in anger off road, so it's worth taking a look underneath and around the lower bodywork for scuffs and cracks. You're more likely of course, to find damage from the urban jungle - things like scratched alloys and scratches in the inside caused through child abuse.
Find out how the car you're looking at has been used. If it's a diesel and its journeys have been mainly urban, it may be that its diesel particulate filter will be clogged up. Other issues reported include the service light staying on on the dash after a service, failing rear view camera, squeaky tail lamps, issues with the tailgate hydraulic struts and excessively noisy electric tailgate operation.
Replacement Parts
(based on 2014 Land Rover Discovery Sport TD4 150PS - approx excl. VAT) An air filter will cost around £12-£23. An oil filter will be in the £5-£17 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £33 to £50 bracket for a set. For rear brake pads, think £38-£45, though you could pay up to around £70 for a pricier brand. Front brake discs are around £106-£155. For rear discs, think £45-£47. A water pump will be around £42-£44. A rear lamp is around £150; a front headlight around £180.
On the Road
Set off and this car feels exactly as any Land Rover of this kind should. The high-set driving position and excellent all-round visibility do a fine job in compensating for the fact that as mid-sized SUVs go, this Discovery Sport isn't actually very compact. The facts are that it's actually both longer and wider than the original first generation Range Rover, something you particularly realise in urban parking situations. Despite that though, on the move it's a vehicle that's easy to place with confidence through the turns.
In fact, Land Rover's success in finessing both ride and handling is probably one of the most impressive aspects of this car. It's never going to be quite as sharp to drive as rivals from BMW, Audi, Volvo and Lexus, but then these models have few aspirations towards off road prowess. As we'll see in a minute, the Discovery Sport does and given that, the extent of its roadgoing repertoire is wider than it really has any right to be. It's not as lithe and agile as a Q5 or an X3, of course it's not, but we'd say that this Land Rover easily matches the kind of driving dynamics you'd find in models from this era from other rivals like Volvo's XC60 or the Lexus NX.
Much of the reason why centres around the steering. Gone is the vague, wishy-washy helm you used to get in a Freelander and in its place, there's an alert and natural-feeling set-up providing for the kind of precise and accurate corner turn-in that allows you to make good use of the Torque Vectoring by Braking system. This is one of those that quells understeer through a sharp corner, lightly braking the outside front wheels in a way that subtly tightens your line and fires you from bend to bend. That's also helped by the fact that there's very little body roll and a surprising amount of grip for an SUV weighing nearly two tonnes.
It all means that you can get into a real driving flow with this car, aided by a suspension set-up that gets better the faster you go. It's a specially developed rear multi-link system that's especially good at dealing with undulating surfaces through quick, flowing curves, though is less impressive over the terrible tarmac that characterises our inner cities. That's why on the school run, you may well feel that this Discovery Sport to be living up to its name, with a greater level of firmness than other rivals deliver. Still, if you can live with that, then there's little else not to like.
On to engines. Here, we're focusing on 2015-2018-era models fitted with Land Rover's 'Ingenium' 2.0-litre TD4 petrol and diesel units; in 2015, these replaced the original SD4 Ford-derived engines this car was launched with. The transmission set-up though, has remained the same all the way through, for auto gearbox buyers being an advanced nine-speed ZF unit that's the alternative to a 6-speed manual. The Ingenium diesel powerplants have plenty of pulling power - enough to permit a towing capability of up to 2,500kgs when the optional Tow Pack is fitted. And the engines come mated exclusively to 4WD.
This car's permanent intelligent 4WD arrangement continuously varies the torquesplit front-to-rear depending on conditions and is, as before, mated to Land Rover's excellent Terrain Response system which, via a control panel on the centre console, allows you to select a drive programme to match the sort of off-road conditions the car is experiencing. This feature acts almost like an off-road expert sat alongside you, selecting the best traction mode for any given terrain type from four main settings - 'General Driving', 'Grass-Gravel-Snow', 'Mud & Ruts' and 'Sand'. Once you've chosen a mode, you've only to leave the car's electronics to work out how best to dole out power and maximise traction, sniffing out grip where none seems to exist and turning the Discovery Sport into an impressively capable off-road tool.
Our only slight disappointment with this set-up here with these pre-2019 models is that it doesn't provide you with the 'set-and-forget' 'Auto' mode that was offered on larger Land Rover models in this period and which effectively makes all the decisions for you. Those bigger Solihull designs also get another thing that the company's smaller models have always lacked - a proper low range transfer gearbox. Dedicated mud-pluggers would certainly appreciate that on this car but for everyone else, the extra transmission ratios would simply represent useless extra weight.
Anyway, even as it is, the spec of this car should enable you to get a remarkable distance off the beaten track. Ground clearance is 211mm, one reason why the car can wade through up to 600mm of water - 100mm more even than the military-surplus Defender model! Plus the 25-degree approach angle, the 21-degree breakover angle and the 31-degree departure angle are all very good for a model of this size. Axle articulation in particular is easily best-in-class, at 340mm up to 60mm more than you'd get with most rivals. If you are going to be testing that out, then you'll be glad of the sophisticated Gradient Release Control system, a logical extension of the useful Hill Descent Control system that comes into its own when descending steep and slippery slopes.
Overall
Back in 2014, once again, Land Rover looked at a market that many thought was packed to bursting point and spotted a significant gap, into which it parked the Discovery Sport. What other car of this kind can seat seven, set off in the Serengeti and slot right in as easily in Sloane Square as it will in the tightest multi-storey carpark space? No other premium compact SUV from this era can do all this. You'll need to buy carefully though: the build quality and reliability of this car wasn't always what it should have been.
Find a good one though and you'll get a great family car. Discovery Sport buyers can get all the style and class of premium 5-seat mid-sized SUVs sold by Audi, BMW, Volvo and Lexus, with the additional versatility of a third seating row, a feature that'll also attract the attention of people who'd previously have had to settle for something Korean like a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Kia Sorento. You get extra off road prowess with a Discovery Sport too, though it's not quite a match for its German rivals if you want to throw your car around on-tarmac. Fortunately, most SUV buyers don't, prioritising instead the kind of supple highway ride and fast fluid responses this car is actually very good at delivering.
It all means that for once, the advertising tagline for this model works for the product it's supposed to promote. 'Above and beyond' was the objective in developing this car. In considering the end result, you'd have to say that mission's been accomplished.
DISCO REVIVAL 14/07/2017 00:00:00
To try and offer higher levels of efficiency, Land Rover is providing the fifth generation version of its large Discovery SUV with a four cylinder Sd4 diesel engine. The experts at Car & Driving check out what's on offer.
Ten Second Review
There's nothing quite like a Land Rover Discovery and not much comes close to matching the versatility of this latest fifth generation version. Whether it's carrying seven people in comfort, crossing deserts or cutting it in the company car park, this SUV does the lot. It's also lighter on its toes and your wallet in four cylinder diesel Sd4 form. So, is the Discovery the ultimate four by four? Let's find out.
Background
Land Rover faces ever tougher competition whenever it launches the next incarnation of its Discovery. With this fifth generation model, there are rivals from all corners that offer a sporty drive, great off-road ability or a luxury experience. Yet none of them quite combines all of those elements in one package the way the Brit does and this is what has always made the Discovery stand head and shoulders above its rivals.
This MK5 model is mostly made from aluminium. That's helped shave 450 kilograms from the car's weight, which makes it much better on fuel consumption and more agile to drive. There are also new motors under the bonnet, including the 2.0-litre Sd4 turbodiesel we're going to look at here, a unit that aims to keep this large SUV firmly among company car drivers' choices.
Driving Experience
It feels wonderful to be sat in the driver's seat of this Land Rover Discovery. It gives a great view of the road ahead and all around, so you feel safe and in complete control. That sensation is helped along by the way this fifth generation model behaves, which has a lot to do with it being 450 kilograms lighter than its predecessor thanks to ditching a separate chassis in favour of an aluminium core structure. As a result, it goes round corners with little body lean and, thanks to its air suspension, glides over bumps that would upset some its rivals. Of course, this is still a large SUV, so some care is needed when negotiating narrow entrances, but a turning circle of 12.3 metres aids the Land Rover to nip through town and along country lanes with equal composure. As for the motorway, you'll find it stable and very hushed in the cabin.
The calm inside the Discovery has a lot to do with what's under the bonnet in the shape of the engine line-up. Most buyers will choose the 2.0-litre 'Sd4' turbodiesel unit we're looking at here - this is the smallest diesel motor every fitted to this green oval model. Mind you, it packs a big punch courtesy of 500 Newton metres of torque that arrives at a mere 1500rpm. You never have to work it hard and there's always enough oomph for overtaking, towing or cruising. Use its full potential and 0-62mph comes up in 8.0 seconds. As with all Discoverys in this range, an eight-speed automatic gearbox is fitted that assists with ease of driving and maximising efficiency.
Design and Build
Since the day it was launched, the Discovery has always had a unique look that's not just set it apart from its rivals, but also made it stand out from the other models in Land Rover's line-up. This fifth generation design moves much closer to the rest of the range and shares much of its inspiration with its smaller Sport sister. Good or bad move on the company's part? That's up to you to decide, but at least there are some of the classic Discovery cues in evidence - the rear C-pillar and the stepped roof for instance.
Once installed in the driver's chair, you have a commanding view of the road ahead and to the sides thanks to the elevation and large glass area. The main instrument display directly in front of the driver consists of an analogue speedo on the left and rev counter over on the right-hand side. Both are simple and clear, while in the centre is a digital display for fuel level and water temperature. Anything this can't tell you will be found on the centre-dash 'InControl Touch' colour touchscreen.
As for the rear of the car, there's plenty of space in the second row - and adult-sized room in the fold-out third row seats too - which is unusual, even with large larger 7-seat SUVs. As for luggage space, well there's lots of it - up to 1,137-litres with the first two seating rows in place, or up to 2,406-litres with just the front seats in use.
Market and Model
The Discovery may have steadily become plusher with every successive generation, but Land Rover still pitches its prices that little bit below most of its key rivals. As a result, you'll need around £48,000 to drive away in an entry-level model with the 2.0-litre 'Sd4' turbodiesel engine. As with every model in this fifth generation range, that includes an eight-speed automatic gearbox and full-time four-wheel drive, as well as the dirt-defying 'Terrain Response' system.
As for equipment across the range, well even the base 'S' model gets you 19-inch 'five split-spoke' design alloy wheels, halogen headlights with daytime running lamps, a heated windscreen and door mirrors with integrated puddle lights. The 'Brunel' front grille has a 'Narvik Black' plastic surround and there's more of the same for the wing vents and lower bumper sections. At the rear, a 'Powered Tailgate' takes the effort of out of opening the boot and there's also a 'powered Inner Tailgate' panel that drops down to make loading larger items easy. Body-coloured door handles lift the exterior appeal, while inside there's cloth fabric on the seats and eight-way manual adjustment for the front pews. Every Discovery comes with seven seats as standard in a 2-3-2 layout.
Cost of Ownership
Land Rover has made huge strides in making its cars more efficient and cheaper to run for its owners. At the heart of this push is a switch to an aluminium construction for this fifth generation Discovery. It saves 450 kilograms compared to the old model and, if you want to know how much that is, it's the equivalent of five rugby-playing passengers being removed from the weight of the car. As a result, it means this Mk5 model can now be offered with the 2.0-litre 'Sd4' turbodiesel engine we've been looking at here, a unit that offers up to 33.6mpg combined consumption and 197g/km of carbon dioxide emissions. Now, those figures are not quite as good as some in this sector, but you should bear in mind this British SUV comes with seven seats, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and full-time all-wheel drive as standard.
Every model has 'Stop-Start' that automatically turns off the engine when the car is sat still in traffic. As soon as you release the brake pedal to press on the accelerator, the engine fires up ready for the off. The diesel-fuelled versions use 'AdBlue' to lessen the impact of the tailpipe gases. This works by injecting a urea-based solution into the hot exhaust that turns the harmful chemicals into water. You can top up this solution's tank yourself or any Land Rover dealer will fill it for you when required around every 9000 miles.
Summary
Is the Land Rover Discovery the ultimate large SUV? For many, the answer was already a resounding "yes" and we'd have to agree it's a tough act to better. The world just seems a better place when you're sat up in its commanding driver's seat. Whether you're heading to the shops, on the school run or a skiing holiday, this four by four does the lot with a relaxed ease that makes most rivals seem well behind the curve. Of course, it helps that Land Rover has made this fifth generation model lighter and even more packed with driver aids. Plus it's easier on running costs in this four cylinder Sd4 form.
In summary, the Discovery is one of the most sophisticated, connected and just plain brilliant full-size SUVs you can choose. Noting quite matches the classless way it goes about its business.
VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 05/07/2019 00:00:00
Land Rover reckons that this Discovery Sport is the most versatile premium compact SUV currently on sale. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the revised version.
Ten Second Review
Land Rover's Discovery Sport was a big success in its original form, with almost 100,000 examples sold in the UK alone. But competitors in the SUV 'D'-segment for 7-seat family Crossovers have caught up. Hence the need for this revised model, which now gets a full range of mild hybrid diesel engines and upgraded infotainment. It's still the class of the field if you ever need to go off road. But now it pleases more in many other ways too.
Background
You hesitate to think of where Land Rover might be now without the Discovery Sport. It's one of the key models that's kept JLR going over the last five years and in the current climate, this car needs to pull its weight in the showroom more than ever. Which is a big ask, given that since the original launch in 2014, direct rivals like Volkswagen's Tiguan Allspace, Peugeot's 5008, SEAT's Tarraco and a new more up-market version of Hyundai's Santa Fe have all arrived to deliver an alternative to what the Discovery Sport can offer.
So Land Rover has set out to take the lead once more in this class, primarily with a fresh range of electrified engines. But also with a smarter cabin, extra technology and stronger standards of safety.
Driving Experience
This car might look the same but under the skin, it's actually a lot different thanks to the adoption of what Land Rover calls 'Premium Transverse Architecture'. This not only makes the body stronger and safer but has also allowed the brand to fit a sophisticated range of 'MHEV' mild hybrid engines, plus there's now a Plug-in hybrid option too. Basically, the same powerplant options already offered in the Range Rover Evoque. These 48-volt units use energy recouped during braking to reduce load on the powerplant under acceleration, while letting the engine cut out from deceleration below 11mph and give near-instantaneous restarts as needed.
All models now feature the MHEV tech and have to have AWD and an automatic gearbox. There are D165 and D200 diesel options, the figures designating the hp output. And there are three conventional petrol options, the P200, the P250 and the P290. There's also a Plug-in P300e PHEV variant, which pairs an electric motor with a three cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine and offers a 38-mile WLTP-rated electric driving range. Whatever engine suits, you'll find this car's class-leading towing and off road ability as good as ever. It can tow up to 2.5-tonnes. And 'off piste' prowess is enhanced thanks to an improved 'Terrain Response 2' system that automatically detects the surface you're driving over and adjusts torque delivery to best suit the conditions.
Design and Build
At first glance, this improved Discovery Sport looks little different to the original model. If you take a second look though and you happen to be familiar with this car, the changes will become more obvious. Trademark Discovery design cues, including the clamshell bonnet, rising beltline and tapered roof remain, but the detail features have changed. For instance, there are re-styled signature LED headlamps at the front and rear, alongside an updated front grille and bumpers.
Inside, the standardisation of Land Rover's latest 'Pivi' and 'Pivi Pro' infotainment system makes a big difference. There are more intuitive menus and online media services include Spotify integrated directly within the infotainment menu for the first time. Plus there's Bluetooth connectivity for two phones at once, along with wireless charging and a signal-boosting option. A dual-modem embedded SIM allows over-the-air software updates too. The inclusion of more premium materials throughout also helps with the more premium feel and there's a new Cabin Air Filtration system. All the seats have been completely re-designed for improved comfort and versatility. And the second row bench gets 40:20:40 split fold and slide functionality, enabling a more flexible seating arrangement with up to 24 possible combinations. The brand says there's more luggage space too; with all the seats folded, there's now 1,794-litres of capacity. That's up from 1,698-litres previously. As before, the third row seats are strictly for small children only. But we like the way that the second row bench has been raised 5cms higher than the front chairs to give occupants a better view out.
Market and Model
Discovery Sport pricing now starts from around £37,000, which is quite a lot, but at least the entry level figure (for the base D165 diesel variant) now gets you a car with the three things that most Disco Sport customers want, namely seven seats, automatic transmission and AWD. Add a premium of nearly £3,000 to that if you want the mid-range D200 diesel. The P200 petrol model starts at around £37,000; you'll need around £4,400 more for the mid-range P250 and nearly £50,000 for the top P290 model, which comes only in sporty-looking 'SportBlack' trim.
Various trim levels are offered across the line-up - base 'Discovery Sport', then 'S', 'SE' and 'HSE', plus there are various 'R-Dynamic' options if you want something that looks a bit sportier. You have to have 'R-Dynamic'-spec if you want the P300e PHEV Plug-in hybrid version which is priced from around £47,000.
Various nice touches have been added to the range for you to specify. We'd take a look at the brand's 'Ground View' technology. This uses camera imagery that offers a virtual 180-degree view beneath the vehicle, projected on to the centre-dash touchscreen. You can also now add in a wireless 'phone charger and create a 4G WiFi hotspot.
Cost of Ownership
Let's get to the WLTP figures. The D165 diesel MHEV 48V mild hybrid variant that most buyers will choose manages a WLTP-rated combined cycle fuel return of just under 50mpg and a CO2 reading from 180g/km. The D200 MHEV version manages around 40mpg and from 181g/km.
As mentioned elsewhere in this report, the conventional petrol units benefit from MHEV too and that makes them a far more credible option when it comes to running costs than would previously have been the case. The P200 variant manages up to 30.3mpg on the combined cycle and 213g/km of CO2 emissions. While the P250 manages up to 29.9mpg and 215g/km. The P290 manages 217g/km. The P300e PHEV plug-in version manages between 36-44g/km of CO2, up to 175.5mpg on the combined cycle and a 38 mile all-electric driving range. That emissions figure means a notably low Benefit-in-Kind taxation rating.
With all the conventional AWD petrol and diesel models, a more sophisticated 'Active Driveline' system ensures that you spend more time in efficient two wheel drive when extra traction isn't needed. Residuals should be reasonably strong; certainly better than the volume brand alternatives in this segment.
Summary
In theory, there are lots of competitors for this car. But loyal Disco Sport buyers don't tend to consider them. That's partly because 'D'-segment SUV 7-seat rivals from Volkswagen, Peugeot, SEAT, Hyundai and Kia don't have Land Rover's brand equity. Partly because they can't tow as effectively. And partly because they can't hold a candle to this car off road.
There were issues with the original version of this car though, primarily in the way that it's fuel and CO2 emissions lagged behind the opposition. So the adoption of mild hybrid 48-volt tech in this revised model is welcome. Rivals are still more frugal, but Land Rover has closed the gap. The cabin improvements and the extra technology features will help this car in the showroom too. If you wanted one of these before, you'll want it even more now. And if you didn't, it might be worth taking another look. 'Above and beyond' was the objective in re-developing this model. In considering the end result, you'd have to say that mission's been accomplished.
Danny Hunt
Sales Manager
Manager's Comment
We are delighted to offer this fine example Discovery Sport with low mileage and great specification.