Used 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Although the Discovery Sport is the smallest Land Rover SUV, it’s big on off-road ability. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, and it’s enhanced by hill-descent control and all-terrain progress control, two technologies that serve as a form of off-road cruise control and make driving in tricky terrain much less difficult.

All that hardware is heavy, though, and with the standard engine – a 246-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder — acceleration is fine but by no means quick. And fuel economy, thanks in part to the full-time AWD, should be better. The 286-horsepower version of the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine from last year’s top Discovery Sport is no longer offered.

An optional 3rd-row seat, however, does continue to be available. It’s sized for children. It will come in handy when you need to take some kids to the soccer game. But there’s almost no cargo space when the rearmost seat is in use. We suspect most people will use their 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport as a 4- or 5-seat 2-row SUV, one that has a beautiful interior and a respectably large cargo compartment.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport, in spite of its name, isn’t especially sporty. Acceleration is unhurried. With its standard suspension, the Discovery Sport leans a bit in corners, but not excessively. Adaptive shock absorbers and selectable drive modes, both available, add to the overall comfort and control.

We drove a P250, a Euro-spec model with a mild-hybrid (MHEV) system not available in the U.S. Even with that system, which smoothens throttle response and aids fuel economy, the Discovery Sport suffers some lag in acceleration. It takes a moment for the turbo to kick in (and for the 9-speed automatic to downshift a gear or two) before the Discovery Sport shoots ahead.

Off-road, the Discovery Sport stands above its peers. On steep descents, the vehicle can creep down safely using the standard hill-descent control, and all-terrain progress control keeps you climbing on slippery rock surfaces. Ground clearance is 8.3 inches, and the Land Rover can traverse 23.6 inches of water. (An available camera system will measure the water’s depth for you.)

Last, we found the Discovery Sport’s driving position a bit awkward. The dead pedal (where you rest your left foot) was a bit too close to the driver.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport interior was completely redesigned with a fresh and upscale look for 2020. It echoes the larger Discovery and fancier Range Rovers. There’s virtually no visible hard plastic, and the finish is excellent.

It’s a modern 5+2 interior, and it features two digital display screens and a center console with rotary controls and buttons that are grouped logically. The multi-function steering wheel is a three-spoke affair with capacitive switches, and there’s also a 10-inch infotainment screen.

Discovery Sport customers can choose a non-leather Luxtec material for the upholstery. Made of recycled polyester microfiber, the soft but tough material comes with an optional Alcantara-covered steering wheel.

A 3rd-row seat is optional in the 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport. The 2nd-row bench slides, folds, and reclines for added versatility. Maximum legroom in the 2nd row is a generous 38.1 inches, while 3rd-row legroom maxes out at 25.6 inches. Thanks to the trademark stepped roof, 2nd-row headroom is a respectable 38.7 inches (but it’s only 34.4 inches for the 3rd row).

The Discovery Sport exterior design is reminiscent of its bigger brother, the Land Rover Discovery. It has a modern and refined look, highlighted by an attractive grille and bumpers, along with LED lighting.

S and SE models feature Silver Atlas detailing on the grille, tailgate, and badges, whereas the Discovery Sport R-Dynamic models get dark Shadow Atlas exterior accents, contrast stitching on the steering wheel, and branded scuff plates.

Eleven exterior paint colors are available, including a new one called Hakuba Silver. You can also get a black contrast roof.

PIVI PRO INFOTAINMENT
Thanks to its new electrical vehicle architecture, all 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sports have Pivi Pro infotainment, which features two modems, quick start-ups, and seamless connectivity for improved navigation or streamed music. Pivi Pro’s intuitive menu takes users to the most popular features, and most tasks can be completed with two taps or less on the single home screen.

CLEARSIGHT GROUND VIEW
The 2021 Discovery Sport is available with a network of cameras. One particularly neat feature is ClearSight Ground View, which stitches together a view of the road under the front of the vehicle. Included with this feature is Drive Assist, which shows what’s immediately alongside the front wheels as well as what’s just ahead. Both are particularly useful in off-road situations or when you’re parking close to curbs.

All-wheel drive is standard on the 2021 Discovery Sport, and it’s complemented by Hill-Descent Control, All-Terrain Progress Control, and Terrain Response 2. Pivi Pro infotainment also is standard, along with a 10-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, LED headlights, heated side mirrors, a leather-covered steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, and dual-zone climate control.

Other appreciated standard hardware includes a 360-degree camera, Traffic Sign Recognition, Wade Sensing, front and rear tow hooks, rear fog lights, and interior grab handles.

All 2021 Discovery Sports also come with the Online Pack, which features Bluetooth connectivity for two separate phones and a data plan with embedded Spotify.

On the safety front, the 2021 Discovery Sport has automatic emergency braking (with cyclist and pedestrian detection) as standard, plus lane-keeping assist and a driver-condition monitor.

In addition to the 3rd-row seat and Land Rover’s Activity Key — which is like a Fitbit wristband that can be used to lock or unlock your vehicle — the Discovery Sport has several other options.

These include a wireless smartphone charger, which has a signal booster. On most models, it’s part of a Technology Package that includes a head-up display, a digital rearview camera mirror, and a digital instrument cluster. This package costs $1,700 on the Discovery Sport S and $1,200 on the Discovery Sport SE.

Also available on all 2021 Discovery Sports is the Dynamic Handling Pack. For $1,250, you get adaptive suspension with driver-selectable settings, plus red brake calipers.

Considerably pricier is the $3,050 Family Pack. It features a fixed panoramic roof, the 3rd-row seat, 3rd-row vents, and the ClearSight video rearview mirror.

Advanced Tow Assist ($400), in which the driver uses a dash-mounted knob to steer the Discovery Sport (and trailer) while reversing, also is available.

There’s also a Driver Assist Pack ($1,950) available on both S models. In addition to adaptive cruise control (with steering assist), it includes a blind-spot monitor, clear exit assist, and rear cross-traffic warning with braking.

Also notable: The 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport can be ordered with Advanced Cabin Air Filtration. This new system, available as part of the $900 Hot Climate Pack, filters out fine particulate matter, allergens, and strong odors, while also displaying information about the quality of the interior and exterior air.

Last, the Discovery Sport can be ordered with a Black Exterior Pack, which is standard on the R-Dynamic models and features Narvik Black detailing on the grille, hood, fender vents, and tailgate lettering. Moreover, 11 different wheel designs are available in sizes that range from 18 to 21 inches.

Only one engine is available in the 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport: a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 246 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1,400 rpm to 4,500 rpm. It teams with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Land Rover says the Discovery Sport hits 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph. It’s also capable of towing a 1,653-pound unbraked trailer.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
246 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
269 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400–4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: est 19/24 mpg