2022 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Land Rover Discovery Sport has had a tough life. Meant to be a replacement for the Freelander, Land Rover couldn't afford to use that particular nomenclature again. Instead, it used the Discovery badge, which Land Rover had also ditched in the USA for the same reliability reasons. The LR badge had been used in its stead for several years, and the Discovery only went back to the original nameplate once the fifth generation was launched.

The second-generation 246 horsepower Discovery Sport only has one unique selling point setting it apart from the much better Evoque; you can have it with seven seats. Within the more significant compact luxury SUV segment, it's also one of a few that can handle a bit of light off-roading thanks to some electronic trickery. But, is that enough reason to buy it over the Audi Q5, BMW X3, or even its little brother? We're not entirely convinced as the Germans offer more luxurious interiors and generally better road manners. This doesn't mean the Discovery Sport doesn't deserve a place on your shortlist, though.

The 2022 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a handsome vehicle and clearly identifiable as a member of the Land Rover family, with only the Defender really diverging from the group with its boxy lines. The Discovery Sport's face isn't dramatically different from the Evoque, although the latter does have a much sportier roofline. All Discovery Sport models get LED headlights (premium LEDs with auto high beam assist and signature DRLs on the SE) and a power tailgate. The base S receives 18-inch alloys, while the SE gets a set of 20s. If you go for the R-Dynamic, the Black Exterior Pack is equipped, replacing standard elements like the silver grille with a black one. The R-Dynamic SE receives a set of model-specific Satin Dark Grey 20-inch alloy wheels.

The 2022 Discovery Sport slots nicely into the compact luxury SUV segment. It has a length of 181 inches, is around 68 inches tall, and it is 85.6 inches wide when the mirrors are extended. The key dimensions include a wheelbase that measures 107.9 inches. It is on the hefty side, however. The standard five-seater configuration weighs 4,105 pounds, while the seven-seat version weighs in at 4,280 lbs. Most of the Discovery Sport's turbocharged four-cylinder rivals weigh less than 4,000 lbs.

It does have an impressive set of off-road-related figures, though. The ground clearance is 8.3 inches, which is good but it isn't lifted quite as high off the ground as the very capable Defender. Thanks to minimal overhangs, the approach, breakover, and departure angles are 25, 20.6, and 30.2 degrees, respectively. Adventurous owners can also take advantage of a 23.6-inch wading depth. The sportier-looking R Dynamic isn't quite as good off-road as its approach/breakover/departure angles are 22.8/20.6/28.2 degrees, although it does retain the same ground clearance and wading depth figures.

Land Rover is one of the few manufacturers that give you an exciting color palette across the range. Fuji White is the only no-cost option, and it does the design no favors. Luckily, you can upgrade to the metallic options for $610 or the premium metallic options for $1,350. The metallic palette consists of Santorini Black, Firenze Red, Byron Blue, Eiger Grey, Portofino Blue, Hakuba Silver, Lantau Bronze, and Ostuni Pearl White. Premium colors include Carpathian Grey, Silicon Silver, and Namib Orange. We usually don't like orange on anything but a hot hatch or a supercar, but a Discovery Sport in Namib Orange with gloss black wheels is the business. Further customization opportunities come in the form of a roof in body-color or black, plus there is a fixed panoramic roof option.

There is only one engine option available, and it's a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder which produces 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque.

The Discovery Sport SUV is not equipped with a permanent 4WD system but rather an all-wheel drive system with a second-generation active driveline system. This sounds fancy, but it's your basic AWD setup. Power is sent to the front wheels, and the rear wheels are engaged within a split second when the front axle starts to slip. Most cars in this segment boast the same setup, but one rival deserves special mention. The Jaguar F-Pace comes from the same family and uses a similar setup, but it works the other way around. It's primarily rear-wheel drive and engages the front wheels when it starts slipping. It may seem insignificant, but it makes a massive difference from behind the wheel. The Jag is way more entertaining to drive as a result.

The claimed top speed is 140 mph for the five-seater and 139 for the seven-seater. With five seats, it will get from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds, while the additional third row results in a 0.2-second penalty. Capable of a towing capacity of up to 4,409 lbs, the Land Rover is on par with its European rivals. If you're in the market for something with a bit more pulling power and are willing to consider one of the non-premium brands, the V6-powered Ford Explorer can tow up to 5,600 lbs, while the base model can tow 5,300 lbs.

The engine is your basic turbocharged inline-four, as found in 90% of crossover and SUV models these days. It produces 246 hp at 5,500 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from an impressively low 1,300 rpm. Those specs are merely average, especially considering that Land Rover completely dropped the more powerful mild-hybrid powertrain from the Discovery Sport range for the 2021 model year.

Landy uses a nine-speed automatic transmission to send the power to the wheels, and it's the weakest link in the powertrain department. Even though it has access to all of the torque from just 1,300 rpm, it struggles to get off the line quickly. It feels almost as if Land Rover didn't bother to tune the gearbox for the Discovery Sport's specific needs. For context, we need to compare it to the BMW X3 with a turbocharged four-pot. It's the same sort of setup and has a curb weight that's nearly the same, yet the Bimmer will get to 60 mph in six seconds in xDrive guise. We're sure weight plays a role, but it's the dimwitted gearbox for the most part. It has short ratios for brisk acceleration and three overdrive gears for frugality. Yet, it doesn't seem to work well in either department, as we shall see in the fuel consumption segment.

You can also feel the hesitancy at higher speeds when trying to overtake. We wouldn't call it sluggish, but we've become used to turbocharged fours producing adequate acceleration across the board. Unfortunately, the Discovery Sport needs an upgrade in the gearbox department.

Land Rover's Terrain Response was designed to make off-roading easier. The original system had settings for mud & ruts, sand, and rocks. Over the years, Land Rover started implementing the road-related driving settings into this system, including comfort and dynamic. The Dynamic setting is a bit of a gimmick, as the Discovery Sport's off-road biased suspension setup doesn't like being hustled. It works a lot better in suitable, old Comfort mode. Land Rover allows you to combine the comfort suspension with a more dynamic engine/gearbox setup, but the engine just feels strained.

This car is at its best when you come to terms with the fact that it's not sporty, despite its name. Once you accept this, you can just sit back and enjoy the cushy suspension and generous list of standard features. We do have one important tip. The old Discovery Sport was built on a modified platform that dates back to the 2006 Ford Fusion. The new model is built on the same architecture as the Evoque, which is much stiffer. If you go up to the 21-inch alloy wheels, you will ruin the ride quality.

When it comes to off-roading, the Discovery Sport is easily class-leading. You'd be surprised at how capable a series of codes are at getting you through the rough stuff. Still, if off-roading is your thing and you do it regularly, you'd be much better off in a base Defender 110. The price difference between a top-spec Discovery Sport and a base Defender LWB is just $3,075. And you'd be surprised how little you have to sacrifice when it comes to luxury and convenience.

The reason we see so many nine- and ten-speed gearboxes these days is simple. You get short ratios in first, second, and third, while seven to ten are usually overdrives to make a car more efficient. As mentioned earlier, the Disco's gearbox just doesn't work. According to the EPA, the Discovery Sport's gas mileage figures work out to 19/23/20 mpg city/highway/combined. Those are figures usually associated with less efficient six-cylinder engines. For comparison's sake, the BMW X3 AWD with a turbocharged four-pot and an eight-speed gearbox is capable of 21/28/24 mpg, while the Audi Q5 with AWD and a dual-clutch transmission can manage 23/28/25 mpg. That's a massive difference. The Discovery Sport is equipped with a 17.7-gallon tank, suitable for a range of 354 miles between refills.

The Discovery has a lovely interior, from the base model upwards. We're big fans of the simplistic layout, sheer space, and generous standard specification. Thanks to an ample wheelbase, the Discovery Sport can accommodate seven seats, which is something you usually only get in a larger segment up.

The quality is good, though the Germans still do a better job. We also appreciate Land Rover keeping the major controls separate and not housed within the infotainment system. This annoying trend is on the rise, and it's a relief to still see two large chunky dials in charge of setting the temperature. The rest of the buttons are also clearly marked and chunky. Though Land Rover has never confirmed it, we like to believe this is a heritage thing. You see, Range Rover controls have always been designed so you can use them while wearing gloves. Small details like this made it an icon of the luxury segment, and it's nice to see these features trickle down to lesser models.

As standard, all Discovery Sport models are sold in a five-seater configuration. While it was not an option on R-Dynamic models with the mild-hybrid assist system in the past, you can now finally have the most expensive, fanciest Disco Sport with seven seats since the MHEV has been discontinued. The headroom in the front is 39.5 inches, and rear passengers get 38.7 inches. Usually, a sunroof or panoramic roof harms space, but the Disco's headroom increases to 41.3/39.8 inches front/rear when the panoramic roof is equipped. The legroom in the front is 39.1 inches, while second-row passengers get an excellent 38.1 inches. That's more than enough space to stretch out, making long journeys a breeze. The optional 5+2 seating arrangement differentiates the Discovery Sport from most other SUVs in this segment but we wouldn't bother because the third row is only just fit for kids, and even they will start complaining after a while.

Land Rover lets you choose between two upholstery options; Luxtec/suedecloth or grained leather. The former is best for small kids, while the latter gives the interior a more premium feel. With the Luxtec/suedecloth, you are limited to an Ebony color scheme. Color options for grained leather include Ebony, Light Oyster, and Acorn. Light Oyster headlining is standard, but you can go for the darker Ebony option at a $275 surcharge. This makes the roomy cabin feel smaller than it is, so we wouldn't go this route without adding the panoramic glass roof. Gloss Black is the only no-cost trim option. Shadow Aluminum trim adds $200 to the price of the Land Rover Discovery Sport, while Gloss Charcoal Oak, Natural Shadow Oak, and Titanium Mesh cost $400 each. A leather-trimmed steering wheel is standard on the base model.

The R-Dynamic S is available with the same Luxtec/suedecloth seats but in a Light Oyster/Ebony color combination. It's also offered with Ebony leather seats with Mars Red stitching, or Light Oyster/Ebony leather with Light Oyster stitching. Unlike on lesser models, you don't have to pay extra for the Ebony headlining on R-Dynamic variants. Shadow Aluminum trim also doesn't cost extra on these sportier trims. The R-Dynamic SE trim unlocks the Windsor leather trim option, retailing for $1,350; however, you also need to add the $1,000 14-way power front seats with both heating and cooling. The Windsor upholstery is available in the same color scheme as the standard R-Dynamic.

R-Dynamic models add metal treadplates, Satin Chrome gearshift paddles, a perforated leather steering wheel, and bright metal pedals as well.

Another reason to avoid the 5+2 seating arrangement is the lack of usable cargo space with all 3 rows in place. It only has around four cubic feet behind the third row, which isn't enough for six kids' school bags or weekly grocery shopping, so why even bother? With the third row of seats folded, the cargo capacity increases to a useful size - more than enough for a family of four and an extended trip away from home. On those odd occasions when you need even more space, the second-row can fold flat in a 40/20/40 split, freeing up around 55.6 cubes.

Interior storage is ample, but not mind-blowing. Beneath the center console, you get a small storage space for two phones. Other storage spaces include door pockets, dual cupholders for front and rear passenger seats, a sizable glove compartment, and storage space underneath the center armrest.

The new Land Rover Discovery Sport is not a cheap car, retailing for more than similar American-built rivals. Land Rover makes up for this by adding a lot of comforts and conveniences as standard. This year, the Disco Sport gets wireless charging, keyless entry, heated front seats, and a power tailgate added to the standard features list. Other items include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, automatic emergency braking, cruise control with a speed limiter, traffic sign recognition, and an adaptive speed limiter. The SE adds premium LED lights with signature daytime running lights and auto high beams, a digital instrument cluster, front seat memory, and a Blind-Spot Assist Package. The R-Dynamic trim doesn't add much in the way of convenience, focusing instead on exterior and interior aesthetics.

The Discovery Sport is equipped with Land Rover's Pivi Pro infotainment system. This system is much faster than the clunky, dim-witted touchscreen interface Land Rovers had before. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. More importantly, it allows for over-the-air updates, so if Land Rover improves it in any way, older models will benefit as well. The touchscreen running the software is ten inches big, and the standard sound system consists of six speakers. Both SiriusXM satellite radio and HD Radio are included. You can upgrade to a 12-speaker Meridian sound system for $350 or the full-on 14-speaker Meridian surround sound system (not offered on the base model) for $800. We highly recommend the latter option.

The first batch of 2019 models was recalled three times for a poor quality crankshaft pulley bolt, a loose ground stud that could lose electrical power, and a high-beam headlight malfunction. The 2020 model was recalled for a DCDC converter that may short-circuit and a malfunctioning instrument cluster. So far, the 2021 model has no reported glitches, and it has received zero complaints from customers.

Owners don't seem to be impressed with their Discovery Sports, however. According to J.D. Power's Discovery Sport review, the SUV only managed a relatively poor 66 out of a possible 100 points in the most recent survey. A decent rating is 80 and above, and the Land Rover doesn't even breach the top ten in its particular segment. Should anything go wrong, the Disco Sport is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty, including roadside assistance.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has had the opportunity to review the Land Rover Discovery Sport. We find this unusual since almost all of its rivals in the same price bracket have been reviewed. Usually, it's a cost thing, but surely Land Rover can afford to donate at least one Disco Sport so the US market can have some idea of what to expect.

All models get six airbags, ABS, EBD, traction and stability control, hill start assist, and Terrain Response, which helps amateurs stay safe in an off-road environment. On the assistance side, it comes with forward collision mitigation, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, driver condition monitoring, and park assist front and rear. The SE adds a Blind Spot Assistance Pack.

The Driver Assistance Package retails for $1,950 and adds blind-spot assist, a clear exit monitor, adaptive cruise control, and a rear cross-traffic monitor.

The Discovery Sport is the red-headed stepchild of the Land Rover range. If you want something semi-compact suited to daily driving, you can't go wrong with the Range Rover Evoque. And if you want something more extensive and more off-road biased, you can have either a full-size Discovery 5 or a new Defender. Then again, the Discovery Sport is more spacious than the Evoque and cheaper than the Discovery, so perhaps there is a case to be made for it.

The competition in this segment is fierce. If you want a sporty SUV, get a BMW X3 or an Alfa Stelvio. If it's comfort you seek, go for the Mercedes-Benz GLC or Volvo XC60. The Discovery Sport just feels like a forgettable, also-ran kind of SUV with no unique selling point. It uses too much fuel, and it's not particularly good value. You can make an argument that it's possibly the best off-roader out of this bunch, but in our experience, an avid 4x4 enthusiast is not going to be interested. They'd much rather buy something with an old-school ladder-frame chassis and a V8 for the same price. But what if you want something British? The Jaguar F-Pace is built by the same mothership, and it's a much better vehicle.

The Discovery Sport is fine, but you need more than just fine in a hotly contested segment like this. We can't think of a single reason why we'd have the Discovery Sport over any of the SUVs mentioned above.

The base Discovery Sport S has an MSRP of $42,375, increasing to $45,825 for the SE trim. The sportier R-Dynamic S retails for $44,075, while the R-Dynamic SE trim costs $47,425. These prices exclude the $1,050 destination charge. Other SUVs for sale in this segment include the BMW X3 which starts at $43,700 for a RWD model.

There are four trim levels to choose from, each using the P250 badge denoting the number of horsepower available. The available trims are S, SE, R-Dynamic S, and R-Dynamic SE.

All models are powered by the same turbocharged four-pot producing 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to an AWD system via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

From the base model to the range-topper, Discovery Sport pricing doesn't increase too drastically.

The base S gets LED lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, wireless charging, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic emergency braking, cruise control with a speed limiter, traffic sign recognition, and an adaptive speed limiter. All models are equipped with a ten-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. A six-speaker sound system is standard.

The SE trim adds premium LED lights with signature daytime running lights with auto-leveling and automatic high beams, along with a digital instrument cluster.

The R-Dynamic trim is essentially a style package. In addition to the features you get in the S and SE, this trim adds a Black Exterior Pack, Ebony headlining, a perforated leather steering wheel, Ebony grained leather with Mars Red stitching, metal treadplates with R-Dynamic branding, satin chrome paddle shifters, and bright metal pedals. The R-Dynamic SE also gains model-specific 20-inch Satin Dark Grey alloys.

Standard safety items across the range include forward collision mitigation, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, a driver condition monitoring, and front/rear parking sensors. SE and R-Dynamic SE models gain a Blind Spot Assist Pack that comprises blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a clear exit monitor.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport can be comprehensively customized to suit your specific needs. For $1,200, you can add the 5+2 seating arrangement. However, you can also opt for the new Third Row Pack with third-row cooling vents for $1,420.

The Driver Assistance Pack ($1,950) on the S and R-Dynamic S derivatives includes blind-spot assist, a clear exit monitor, adaptive cruise control, and a rear traffic monitor. The $520 Convenience Pack adds a power-adjustable steering column, cargo space partition net, and the activity key. The Premium Upgrade Interior Package includes premium carpets, a full leather steering wheel, bright metal pedals, and premium cabin lighting; it costs $1,150 on R-Dynamic models and $1,085 on other models.

You can also order Climate Packages depending on whether you live in a cold or hot state. The cold pack retails for $625 and adds a heated steering wheel as one of its features, while the hot pack adds $900 to the price and includes a cabin air purification system. Land Rover also offers a few standalone options. These include the 12-speaker Meridian sound system for $350, while the 14-speaker Meridian surround sound system adds $800 to the price on upper trims.

The top-spec R-Dynamic SE looks the best with its Black Exterior Pack and 20-inch black alloy wheels. But the larger alloys harm the ride quality, and you wouldn't want to risk damaging all that beautiful black exterior trim when off-roading.

In this case, we think the base trim is best. The standard specification is more than generous, which means you only need to add the Driver Assistance pack and a color combination that suits your personality. We think it looks superb in Namib Orange with the optional 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels. That way, you still get the contrast, but with a higher profile tire. This improves both comfort and off-road performance. The total for this build, including the options and destination charge, is $47,325, which is just $1,150 shy of the R-Dynamic SE. But this way, you get all of the driver-assistance systems, good looks, and the best possible alloy and tire combination.

The larger Land Rover Discovery has a base price of $53,900. That's just a $6,475 difference. And yes, we are comparing the top-spec to the base spec because even the base Discovery has a massive list of standard features, including 90% of Land Rover's available driver-assistance features. The larger Disco uses the same turbocharged four-pot, but it delivers a better 296 hp and 295 lb-ft, whereas Disco Sport only gets 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. The larger Disco's eight-speed gearbox works much better. Even though it weighs a lot more, it can get to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.

You don't have to give anything up luxury-wise. In fact, the Discovery 5 gives you even more. It has 14-way power-adjustable front seats versus the Disco Sport's 12-way seats. Leather upholstery is also standard, as is a larger 11.4-inch touchscreen interface. The final nail in the coffin is the Discovery 5's standard seven-seat configuration. And because of the larger wheelbase, the third row is more usable, though the trunk is still laughably small with all three rows in place. In case you didn't notice yet, we'd happily spend the extra cash on the larger Discovery.

Just the name pasted to the front of the Evoque already gives it the upper hand. It's not a Land Rover, but a much fancier Range Rover. Most of the Evoque range uses the same turbocharged four-pot delivering the same 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. However, it weighs less than 4,000 lbs, giving it an advantage both in performance and fuel economy. The Evoque suffers from the same poor gearbox tune as the Discovery Sport, but it's much nicer to drive. The steering is responsive and accurate, but the Evoque is also more on-road biased.

Because the Evoque is a Range Rover, it comes with many features, even at the base level. It easily matches the Discovery Sport, but it has a much nicer interior. It may not be as big, but it's still an exceptionally comfortable space. You don't get the 5+2 option, but we wouldn't bother with that in any case. The Evoque has a smaller 21.6-cube trunk, though. Still, these are all compromises we'd happily live with. The Evoque is a much better compact luxury SUV.