Used 2022 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The 2022 Land Rover Discovery Sport premium compact SUV is the smallest and most affordable vehicle in the Land Rover stable. Although classy and luxurious, it can tackle all the tough terrain that would stop a lesser vehicle in its tracks.

What’s the difference between the 2022 Discovery Sport and the Discovery? It’s confusing, we know, for two vehicles to have nearly identical names and similar looks. The Sport version does not have a powerful engine or big tires, and has a lower ride height compared to its larger and tougher Discovery brother. As we explain further on, there’s nothing particularly sporty about the 2022 Discovery Sport.

Instead, Sport is really code for smaller. Not just in terms of passenger space and body dimensions, but also with engines. The larger Discovery has three roomy seating rows as standard (the optional third row in the Discovery Sport is more constricted), plus more luggage space, greater towing capacity, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter/6-cylinder is available. It also costs more.

For those buyers who don’t need everything the bigger Discovery has to offer, though, the Discovery Sport SUV is still stylish and extremely capable.

Starting with the driving position, it’s high enough to please all those people who see this as a big reason for buying a new SUV. It’s not perfect, however. That rest for the left foot is situated a little too far into the footwell and takes some getting used to.

Really sporty cars never feel the need to use the word Sport in their names. Using a 246-horsepower 4-cylinder engine to motivate an all-wheel-drive vehicle weighing more than a couple of tons results in lackluster acceleration (made more noticeable by turbo lag and a slow-acting transmission) and unremarkable fuel economy.

Vices on the tarmac, though, become virtues in the wild. The last thing anyone needs while crawling over rocks or plodding through snow is a peaky drivetrain with hair-trigger responses. Similarly, the body lean through corners translates to comfort off-road. And it can always be tightened up with the optional adaptive suspension.

Land Rover makes a point of endowing anything wearing that Green Oval badge with real off-road abilities. The Terrain Response 2 system is standard, allowing the driver to handle a range of challenging surfaces like snow, sand, gravel or mud by merely pressing the appropriate button.

All Terrain Progress Control is another standard feature. It takes care of throttle and transmission settings, so all the driver has to concentrate on is steering. Think of it as an off-road cruise control.

Business-like, with a touch of class and a dash of design flair. That’s the Discovery Sport’s cabin. The quality of materials is suitably premium, as is the fit and finish. Leather upholstery is standard, but buyers are given the alternative of simulated leather combined with simulated suede at no extra cost.

Legroom in the second row is expansive at 38.1 inches. Split 40/20/40, the seats also slide, recline and fold. So there’s plenty of cargo-carrying versatility. There’s a maximum cargo area behind the front seats of 55.6 cubic feet.

By offering a third seating row, bringing the occupant count up to seven, the Discovery Sport SUV is unusual for its class. However, fitting seven people into a compact SUV is always going to involve compromise. The third-row seats are not for adults, as legroom is a mere 25.6 inches. And when the seats are in place, passengers might have to hold their bags on their laps instead of in the severely limited luggage area.

A resemblance to its pricier Range Rover stablemates gives Land Rover’s most affordable new SUV an upscale aura. Past Land Rovers haven’t always been overly bothered by aerodynamic concerns, but the softened corners of the 2022 Discovery Sport SUV at least hint at some wind-cheating.

R-Dynamic models have their own specific bumpers, alloy wheels and other touches. Every version, though, can come with black roof rails, as well as a contrasting black roof. The largest alloy wheels on offer measure 21 inches in diameter. And Fuji White is the only no-cost exterior paint choice. Lantau Bronze joins the palette for 2022.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Named Pivi Pro (for reasons best known to Land Rover), this system was new last year, replacing a universally unloved setup. It’s capable of over-the-air updates, has a user-friendly operating system, and includes a nicely responsive 10-inch touchscreen.

ACTIVITY KEY
A great option for the outdoorsy types who are more likely than most to be attracted to the 2022 Discovery Sport SUV. This rubberized bracelet/digital watch can take the knocks and the waves, then act as a key while the usual keys are safely tucked away inside the vehicle. It also has a remote start function.

There are really just the S and SE trims for the 2022 Discovery Sport SUV. The R-Dynamic variations merely bring a few extras, mainly cosmetic.

Starting with S trim, then, the Land Rover Discovery Sport has all-wheel drive, Terrain Response 2, All-Terrain Progress Control, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/taillights, heated side mirrors (self-dimming on the driver’s side), rain-sensing wipers, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

Driver aids include automatic emergency braking, front/rear parking sensors, and lane-keeping assistance. A 10-inch touchscreen controls an infotainment system that includes Bluetooth, two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

The newly standard items are keyless entry, heated front seats, wireless charging with phone signal boosting, and a powered tailgate.

The S R-Dynamic has a different design for the 18-inch alloy wheels, specific bumpers/wheel arches/side sills/grille mesh, metal pedals, satin chrome shift paddles, contrasting stitching, and perforated leather for the steering wheel.

The SE trim adds 20-inch alloy wheels (with a satin dark gray finish if it’s the R-Dynamic SE), upgraded/self-leveling LED headlights with automatic high beams, signature daytime running lights, memory settings for the driver’s seat, digital driver information display, and Blind Spot Assist (explained in our Safety section below).

All 2022 Discovery Sport SUV models are eligible for a third seating row, fixed panoramic roof, adaptive suspension, head-up display, rearview camera mirror, Wi-Fi, cold and hot climate packages, heated 2nd-row seats, power-adjustable steering column, Activity Key, and various interior upgrades.

Every version can be ordered with a 380-watt/10-speaker Meridian audio system (a tempting choice at $350). But only the R-Dynamic models are eligible for an 825-watt/14-speaker surround-sound system from Meridian, which is $800.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine propels the 2022 Discovery Sport SUV with 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. This goes to a standard all-wheel-drive system through a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Maximum towing capacity is 4,409 pounds, which is as good as this class gets.

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: 19/23 mpg