Land Rover Discovery Sport review

You might associate the word ‘Sport’ with a high-performance car or, at the very least, something with racy looks – but there are a few notable exceptions. The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a prime example, offering a more compact and affordable alternative to the enormous Discovery.

Peer beneath the skin and you’ll find the Discovery Sport actually has more in common with the Range Rover Evoque than with its big brother. However, where the Evoque focuses on chiselled, catwalk styling, the Discovery Sport has boxier lines to create a more spacious interior for families.

There’s plenty of room for five, while all but front-wheel-drive D150 models get a third row for seven-seat practicality. Yes, that’s right, you can get a version without four-wheel drive for a small boost in economy and emissions.

A heavy update in late 2019 saw the Discovery Sport’s underpinnings enhanced to improve how it drives, while the exterior looks were subtly changed and its interior was made plusher and more practical. Its infotainment technology was given a boost, too, and most models gained mild hybrid technology (which we’ll discuss later) for increased efficiency.

Even though it’s much cheaper than the bigger Land Rover Discovery, the Sport still competes with upmarket models such as the five-seat-only Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC and BMW X3. There aren’t any direct rivals with the option of seven seats, but the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq offer similar practicality for less money. 

Read on for our in-depth review, including which versions make the most sense. And, if you’re ready to splash the cash, our New Car Buying service is waiting to help you save thousands on a Discovery Sport or any of hundreds of other cars.