The Land Rover Discovery Sport 2015 tested, specs, warranty and pricing South Africa
What is it?
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the company’s middle pillar with Range Rover and Defender serving as the brand’s bookends. In theory this position implies that the Discovery Sport offers similar refinement and sophistication encompassed by a Range Rover, combined with the ruggedness of a Defender. The duality is so good so far. We should also mention that this is the replacement for the long suffering Freelander, which despite being one of the segment pioneers has lost popularity.
What’s it like?
Exactly as those above attributes suggest and far more functional and value orientated than the Evoque. In a segment that has shifted towards sparkling road dynamics, the Land Rover Discovery Sport still remains true to its original 25-year heritage; off-road capability, exploration and adventure. More likely to get dirty than the posh Evoque, a myriad off-roading modes mated to increased wheel articulation and wading depth encourage beginners to leave the safety of their boomed-off suburbs. In this habitat the Discovery Sport excels – no low profile tyres or aggressive body kits to worry about.
Another unique strength is the 5+2 seating. The optional third row of seating can be pulled from the floor without hurting a finger but in a car that’s just 200mm longer than the Evoque, fitting adults in the furthest row will always pose logistical challenges. Accepting that, the engineers have come up with clever ways to improve ingress and egress; rear seats slide 160mm and when the second row of seats are tilted forwards they provide wide enough apertures. Those confined to the back might not be entirely comfortable but at least they’ll be thoroughly entertained with USB ports strategically dotted around the cabin.
Stick to the more conventional 5-seater and you’ll have no qualms about interior space. However you configure the rear seats, there always seems to be sufficient space to stretch and without the Evoque’s sloping roofline, headroom is great too.
The cabin is comfortable without being particularly special. Leather is of a high grade, as is the stitching, but there are some ordinary plastic finishes and lots of wasted space between buttons. At last arrives a touchscreen with quicker response, smooth interface, rainbow graphics and less susceptible to glare. Buttons positioned along the border allow you to jog through menus but you still find yourself leaning out the seat to do so.
My co-driver remarked that a more appropriate name should be Discovery Lite because without the latest Ingenium engines – Discovery Sport missed the cut-off by what couldn’t have been more than a few weeks – performance is slightly lethargic whether in the 140kW/420Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel or 177kW/340Nm 2.0-litre petrol. On inclines the nine-speed box thrashes between cogs to make the most of the modest torque outputs and this becomes more noticeable in the gearbox’s Sport setting. Steering feel needs more feedback if it wants to compete against BMW X3 and despite its lightweight structure you’d never call it agile or direct.
Should I buy one?
Like all premium brands there is the potential to go a little bezerk with the options but you needn’t do so to end up with a versatile and comfortable car with largely unparalleled off-road capability and a revered nameplate that’s conquered each corner of the globe. Doing enough to earn the tag of most balanced Land Rover across day to day requirements we would suggest the diesel engine to have any chance of fulfilling the Sport badge.
Discovery Sport Pricing 2015
TD4 S: R541 900
Si4 S: R590 300
SD4 S: R590 300
Si4 SE: R635 600
SD4 SE: R635 600
Si4 HSE: R692 300
SD4 HSE: R692 300
Si4 HSE Luxury: R731 400
SD4 HSE Luxury: R731 400
