Land Rover Discovery Sport Review 2024

Land Rover Discovery Sport At A Glance

2/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Land Rover Discovery Sport has to appeal to those considering upmarket German rivals, plus deliver real off-road ability. It just about fulfils both parts of its brief, although most rivals are better to drive on road and feel more premium.

+Refined and comfortable. Better off-road than most rivals. Strong plug-in hybrid.

-Ride firm at low speeds. Average on-road handling. Poor reliability record.

New prices start from £40,405, brokers can source from £40,995
Insurance Groups are between 24–40
On average it achieves 75% of the official MPG figure

With a hugely desirable badge, the Land Rover Discovery Sport should be one of the most sought after mid-size SUVs. However, this is a field crowded with talent and desirable rivals like the Audi Q5, the great-to-drive BMW X3, dependable Honda CR-V and stylish Volvo XC60, plus others such as the Tesla Model Y and even the Volkswagen Tiguan. Mild hybrid power and some styling updates have kept the Land Rover Discovery Sport in the hunt, but it now feels like it’s trailing the pack instead of leading it. Read on for our full Land Rover Discovery Sport review.

Based on the same platform as the first generation of Range Rover Evoque, the Land Rover Discovery Sport combines a huge interior with a composed ride. It is comfortable inside, with most models getting a 5+2 seating configuration and offering more than 1700 litres of maximum boot space.

The ‘+2’ seats are essentially a third row that lifts out of the boot floor, while the movable second row provides easy access. However, while the rearmost seats are perfect for young children, adults will only want to use them for the shortest of journeys.

The interior of the Land Rover Discovery Sport offers an abundance of soft-touch materials and a well-crafted dashboard.

Standard equipment is impressive, and all models get climate control for the first two rows of seats, along with cruise control, a heated windscreen and partial leather seats.

Power for the Land Rover Discovery Sport comes, in the main, from 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, both with mild hybrid assistance.

The alternative choice is the plug-in hybrid P300e that uses a 1.5 litre petrol motor and 109PS electric motor to deliver a strong 309PS, up to 181.1mpg, 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and an EV-only driving range of up to 37 miles.

The best of all worlds? Maybe, but only if you have easy access to charge points at frequent intervals or only make short hop trips.

On the road, the Land Rover Discovery Sport feels capable and fun, with plenty of grip in corners. The automatic gearbox is now standard across the range and it’s a smooth operator, with near seamless gearchanges.

The four-wheel drive set-up is identical to the one found in the Range Rover Evoque and linked to the excellent Terrain Response system, which means the Land Rover Discovery Sport is more than capable off road.

In fact, it’s better than any of its rivals when it comes to tackling mud or snow. 

Some might raise an eyebrow at the fact the Land Rover Discovery Sport costs from just shy of £45,000. Yet compare its prices with direct rivals, and value for money is one of its stronger suits.

Looking for a second opinion? Check out heycar’s Land Rover Discovery Sport review.

Ask Honest John

I recently purchased a Land Rover Discovery Sport, it has a rattling timing chain and the dealer says it should be replaced. Will this be covered under warranty?

"I bought a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport with 72,000 miles, I've had it two weeks and Land Rover are recommending to have timing chain replaced. Will my independent warranty cover or does it have to fail first?"
The timing chain on early JLR diesel engines are a known issue, and if the dealer has recommended replacing it because of the rattle then this is certainly work you should have carried out. If the chain fails then it is highly likely that the engine will be destroyed and will require complete replacement. Unlike timing belts, the timing chain should last the lifetime of the vehicle unless there is an issue, so it is not considered as a consumable part. The terms of your warranty should explain if the timing chain is included, but we would expect it to be covered in this case. Regardless, the fact that you have only owned the vehicle for a few weeks means we would expect the dealer to cover the cost of the replacement. If they refuse to do so we would advise that you ask for a free repair or a replacement vehicle, as it has a significant fault and could be argued as not being fit for purpose or of satisfactory quality. The dealer may well resist, but given you have owned the car for such a short period and is warrantied, you should stand your ground.
Answered by David Ross

Buying a new SUV - Discovery Sport or RAV4?

"I am looking for an SUV with a large boot that will accommodate my two large dogs and a spare wheel (space saver, if necessary). So far I have found the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Toyota RAV4 potentially meet these criteria. Any other ideas, please?"
The latest Toyota RAV4 is a very good car. I would also recommend the Hyundai Tucson, which is fine value for money and also has a large boot. The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a comfortable and practical car, but its troublesome reputation for reliability would make it difficult for me to recommend it.
Answered by Dan Powell

When should I replace the brake hoses on my car?

"After enquiring about a service for my six-year-old Land Rover Discovery Sport (at 42,000 miles) my local dealer advised that Land Rover recommends changing the brake hoses. The cost was quoted at around £750. Is this necessary for such a young, low-mileage car?"
I'm not aware of any scheduled replacement intervals for brake hoses. Usually, you keep them until they show signs of wear or age-related deterioration. If you suspect the dealer is trying to upsell the annual service with unnecessary work, I'd suggest getting a second opinion. There are lots of excellent independent Land Rover specialists and they will be able to inspect the brake hoses and advise you if the brake hoses need to be replaced or not.
Answered by Dan Powell

Can new diesel engines keep the particulate filter clear?

"Is it true that new cars such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport use automatic engine management adjustments to keep the particulate filter clear even if no long journeys are done?"
Yes, many newer cars have active regeneration where the car will inject more fuel into the engine to increase the temperature and trigger particulate filter regeneration. It's not foolproof, though - we would always recommend once every 2-300 miles getting the car up to above 40mph for at least 10-15 minutes to help keep it clean.
Answered by Lawrence Allan
More Questions

What does a Land Rover Discovery Sport cost?

Buy new from £40,995(list price from £44,790)