New Land Rover Discovery Sport vs used Audi Q7: practicality

Space and practicality

Front space, rear space, seating flexibility, boot

The Discovery Sport is more than 45cm shorter than the Q7, but it isn’t a slam-dunk win for the latter when it comes to keeping passengers happy. Both cars have all the space in the front that six-footers would need, and it’s the same story in their second row of seats.

Tall adults sitting in the outer two of the three chairs have plenty of leg room, even when the front seats are slid well back, plus masses of head room. There’s also space in the middle seat for another adult, and all three second-row seats slide and recline individually in both cars.

It’s only when the two fold-out third-row seats are deployed that any disparity is evident. First, the Q7’s third-row seats can be raised and stowed electrically, whereas you have to do this manually in the Discovery Sport. Second, they’re roomier; an average-sized adult will fit with a degree of comfort, although anyone taller will be praying for the journey to be a short one. The Discovery Sport restricts the entry requirements for its third row to children and smaller adults only.

It also loses out to the Q7 on boot space. Eight carry-on suitcases fit below the Discovery Sport’s load cover, while the Q7 can swallow 10, mainly because its boot is longer. Each car has an electric tailgate that opens to reveal a wide aperture and no load lip – so you can slide things in or out without heaving them over an awkward ridge.

For added flexibility, each comes with 40/20/40-split rear seats, and all the seats in the second and third rows fold flat. That leaves both cars with flat extended load bays right up to their front seats.

New Land Rover Discovery Sport

Boot na-1651 litres Suitcases 8

Used Audi Q7

Boot 295-770-1955 litres Suitcases 10

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