Used 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Land Rover lineup contains many desirable SUVs, and the Discovery Sport is arguably the best value. It’s a compact luxury SUV that lives up to its brand’s ethos of combining luxury and off-road capability with little compromise.

The Discovery Sport has standard all-wheel drive and its fair share of off-road features, but it also has a premium interior loaded with a high-tech infotainment system and premium materials. The Discovery Sport also has available 3-row seating, which is uncommon in this class.

If you want a compact luxury SUV that’s comfortable on-road and capable off-road, the Discovery Sport is the one to get. If you don’t intend to venture off-road, then you’ll probably be better off with one of its rivals.

This Land Rover is a luxury SUV with tough competitors. SUVs like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class have sportier driving dynamics than the Discovery Sport at a similar price point. However, this Land Rover has a distinction as the best off-roader in its class.

Despite the word “Sport” being in the name of this SUV, the Land Rover Discovery Sport isn’t very sporty. This Land Rover is up to luxury SUV standard in terms of on-road comfort in daily driving situations, but it doesn’t accelerate or hug corners with the same athleticism as many of its rivals. The sole engine option is adequate but unexciting and pretty inefficient.

What it lacks in enthusiastic on-road driving dynamics, the Discovery Sport makes up for in off-road capability. Every SUV in this class offers all-wheel drive, but it comes standard with the Discovery Sport, along with several other off-road goodies.

The Terrain Response 2 system opens up drive modes suited for different off-roading scenarios and it can automatically pick the right one based on the terrain. It also comes standard with All Terrain Progress Control, which is like low-speed cruise control for off-road driving.

In short: If you prioritize off-road capability over on-road performance, you’ll like the Discovery Sport.

The interior of the Land Rover Discovery Sport is luxurious and high-tech. The interior materials are high-quality and the seats are roomy and comfortable in the first two rows. Since this is a compact SUV, the available third row is a bit tight, but those two extra seats can be nice to have in a pinch, giving this SUV the ability to carry seven people.

Even though there are really only two trims available, there are many interior customization options for the Land Rover Discovery Sport. There are several different interior materials, colors, trims, and veneers available so you can customize this SUV to your liking. There’s a Premium Upgrade Interior Pack available for all trims that adds perks like premium carpet mats, configurable ambient interior lighting, and more.

The cargo space of the Discovery Sport depends on the seating configuration. If you get the optional third row of seats, there’s almost no cargo space behind those seats. Without the third row, the cargo space is decent, especially if you can afford to fold down the second-row seats.

In classic Land Rover fashion, the look of the Discovery Sport is a nice blend of rugged and premium. It has attractive body lines and a stylish light signature that make it look distinctly like a Land Rover. The somewhat boxy profile and generous ground clearance hint at its off-road chops.

The look of the Discovery Sport changes a bit if you opt for one of the R-Dynamic models. Available for both trims, R-Dynamic is essentially an appearance package that gives this SUV a sportier look. It adds a sport front bumper, unique wheels, body-color rocker panels, and more.

The proportions of the Discovery Sport are a bit unconventional. Compared to more mainstream rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the Discovery Sport has a shorter overall length, but it’s taller partially because of the off-road-ready ground clearance.

TERRAIN RESPONSE 2
This standard system can automatically change drive modes based on the terrain for optimal off-road performance.

AVAILABLE 3-ROW SEATING
This is a compact luxury SUV with an available third row of seats, which is rare in this segment

The Land Rover Discovery Sport has a nice list of standard features that’s commensurate with its price tag. The standard powertrain in every Discovery Sport is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Additional standard features improving off-road capability include Terrain Response 2 and All Terrain Progress Control.

Standard features on the base S model include your choice of DuoLeather or Luxtec/Suedecloth seats, dual-zone climate control, heated, power-adjustable front seats, ambient interior lighting, LED headlights and taillights, a power liftgate, and power-folding mirrors with approach lights.

The standard infotainment system is the Pivi Pro system with a 10-inch touchscreen loaded with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and HD Radio. Additional standard tech features include three USB ports, a universal garage door opener, and wireless charging.

Standard driver assistance tech features include adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and a driver condition monitor.

Upgrading to the SE trim adds many desirable features to this SUV. The SE trim comes with 20-inch wheels, auto-leveling LED headlights with automatic high beams, memory front seats, and a Meridian premium audio system.

The S and SE trims both have R-Dynamic variants available. R-Dynamic is primarily an appearance package inside and out. The R-Dynamic models have a sporty exterior with a sport front bumper, body-colored rocker panels, and special wheels. On the inside, you’re treated to shadow aluminum trim, paddle shifters, pedal treadplates, contrast stitching, a black headliner, and bright metal pedals.

Additional options include a third row of seats, sliding and reclining second-row seats, various customization options to the interior and exterior, a Cold Climate Pack, Adaptive Dynamics, a Premium Upgrade Interior Pack, and more.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport only has one engine option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4. It’s an adequate mill in this SUV with sufficient power and torque, but unimpressive fuel economy. Every Discovery Sport has a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

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