The Land Rover Discovery Sport deserves to be extra in style in Australia, however instances are robust.
Regardless of being probably the most attainable mannequin within the Land Rover and Vary Rover secure, and the very fact it competes within the hottest a part of the market – mid-sized SUVs – it’s unusual that it’s not promoting in addition to you’d count on.
In 2024, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) bought 371 Discovery Sport autos in Australia, which whereas up 110.8 per cent on the 12 months prior, nonetheless solely accounted for lower than one per cent of the premium mid-sized SUV phase Down Below.
By comparability, the Lexus NX vary discovered greater than 10 instances the variety of clients, and even the Mercedes-Benz GLB was greater than twice as in style. That’s not as a result of the Discovery Sport isn’t a superb automotive – actually, you may barely inform it’s nearing its eleventh birthday.
Whereas it doesn’t look all that totally different over a decade on from its launch, Land Rover has utilized many an replace to the Disco Sport through the years, mainly shoehorning a brand new structure beneath as a part of its mid-life facelift in 2019.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the 2022 Land Rover Discovery Sport R-Dynamic HSE D200
That introduced the model’s newest tech developments, together with the provision of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain, which powers the automotive we have now on take a look at right here – how does it fare?
How does the Land Rover Discovery Sport evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Land Rover Discovery Sport in opposition to equally sized autos.
Land Rover
Discovery Sport
How a lot does the Land Rover Discovery Sport price?
Our take a look at car was a well-optioned 2024 model-year Discovery Sport Dynamic SE P300e, which wore a base price ticket of $103,450 earlier than on-road prices – right this moment, an MY25.5 construct is barely extra attainable, at $101,999 plus on-roads.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport S P200 | $73,504 |
| 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport Dynamic SE P250 | $83,360 |
| 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport Dynamic HSE P250 | $92,910 |
| 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport Dynamic SE P300e | $101,999 |
Specified choices as examined included a Expertise Pack ($4700), which provides niceties like a head-up show and {surround} digital camera system – each of which you would possibly count on to be normal at this value level – in addition to 20-inch alloy wheels in diamond-turned end ($2080), in addition to heated entrance seats ($860… actually?).
Whereas Land Rover has accomplished nicely to attain a value level according to PHEV variations of rivals just like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60, the requirement to tick choices bins to attain matching spec ranges will see you spend extra on the Land Rover.
A purchase order value of $120,000 will even put you very near bigger premium SUVs just like the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, although admittedly the X5 PHEV will price you 10s of 1000’s extra once more.
To see how the Discovery Sport strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s the Land Rover Discovery Sport like on the within?
The inside of the Discovery Sport has modified plenty of instances through the years, and this newest iteration may very well be confused for a Jaguar should you didn’t have a look at the badge on the steering wheel.
That’s no unhealthy factor, and it’s additionally logical given the Disco Sport shares its underpinnings with the smaller Jaguar E-Tempo and Vary Rover Evoque. Each are marketed as extra premium choices, however the Discovery is under no circumstances an inexpensive relative.
The overwhelming majority of the cabin is lined with soft-touch supplies, with higher sections boasting cool textured detailing, together with the stitching throughout the dashboard and door inserts.
Certain, the grained and textured materials atop the dashboard and doorways is likely to be a little bit tough to the contact, however it seems to be hard-wearing and higher suited to Land Rover’s go-anywhere ethos – even when most house owners won’t ever take their Disco Sport correctly off-road.
Common contact factors just like the seats and steering wheel are completed in smoother leather-based supplies, and the whole lot seems and feels befitting of a premium product, whereas additionally being distinctly totally different from something German, Japanese, or Swedish.
Expertise has been a key space of enchancment throughout the Discovery Sport’s evolution, with the newest iteration using JLR’s glorious Pivi Professional multimedia interface with clear menus and snappy response. It presents the whole lot you’d count on too – navigation, related performance, wi-fi smartphone mirroring, and the remainder of it.
In comparison with a number of the extra convoluted techniques supplied by rivals manufacturers from Germany, the Discovery Sport’s simple-yet-attractive infotainment software program is very easy to make use of with out feeling underdone. Even higher, it’s the identical stuff you’ll discover within the model’s costlier Vary Rover merchandise.
Frustratingly, the local weather controls have been buried within the touchscreen, in contrast to in another JLR merchandise. Utilizing simply the touchscreen could be a bit fiddly on the transfer, even should you’re one to simply set the temperature and overlook.
Forward of the motive force is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that provides a variety of layouts and knowledge widgets, however it’s not all the time as snappy or clean because it may very well be, relative to the competitors. I do like the extent of configurability although.
Storage is first rate if not fairly exemplary, with cubbies scattered all through the entrance part together with massive door pockets. The simplistic design across the new shift-by-wire gear selector is likely to be seen as a little bit naked by some, nonetheless.
The rear seat is probably one of many Discovery Sport’s strongest factors, with a spacious and sensible second row that’s up there with the most effective in its class – holding in thoughts different engine variants can be found with seven seats throughout three rows, quite than simply 5 throughout two.
I’m 6’1″ and had loads of area for my taller body behind my very own most well-liked driving place, with good knee, leg and toe room. That’s complemented by the slab-sided physique, which permits for a tall and ethereal cabin, in addition to massive home windows that present good outward visibility and a decreased danger of car-sick kiddies.
The near-flat rear ground and large bench means three throughout shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of a trouble for shorter journeys, although it isn’t fairly as sensible within the rear as a full-sized Discovery, naturally.
Facilities embrace directional air vents, USB-C cost retailers and map pockets on the entrance seatbacks. There’s additionally preparation for accent mounts behind the entrance seats, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, and bottle holders within the decrease sections of the doorways.
You’ll be able to possibility heated rear seats ($858), although our take a look at car wasn’t fitted with this selection.
Plug-in variations of the Discovery Sport lack the choice of a 3rd row like petrol and diesel variations, however that additionally means there’s heaps of area within the boot.
Land Rover quotes 897 litres ‘moist’ behind the second row, and 1794 litres ‘moist’ behind the primary row. The area could be very sq. and slab-sided, which is useful when taking part in baggage Tetris, and there’s a space-saver spare underneath the boot ground.
| Dimensions | Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e |
|---|---|
| Size | 4597mm |
| Width | 2069mm |
| Top | 1727mm |
| Wheelbase | 2741mm |
| Cargo capability | 897 litres – rear seats up 1794 litres – rear seats down |
To see how the Discovery Sport strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The P300e spinoff of the Land Rover Discovery Sport examined right here makes use of the identical 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder plug-in hybrid system because the associated Evoque.
| Specs | Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 3cyl turbo PHEV |
| Engine outputs | 147kW |
| Electrical motor outputs | 80kW 260Nm |
| System outputs | 227kW 540Nm |
| Battery | 14.9kWh li-ion |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2094kg – kerb |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 6.6 seconds |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 2.1L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 4.5L/100km |
| Electrical driving vary | 61 kilometres – WLTP |
| Gasoline tank capability | 57 litres |
| Gasoline requirement | 95 octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 49g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capability | 1600kg |
| Towball obtain | 100kg |
The Discovery Sport is considered one of few PHEVs presently accessible that may settle for DC fast-charging, although its most charging capability is 35kW. Land Rover quotes a 30-minute cost time from 0-80 per cent at this fee.
In any other case, a home energy outlet will absolutely recharge the 14.9kWh battery in six hours and 42 minutes.
To see how the Discovery Sport strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the Land Rover Discovery Sport drive?
Having already pushed the Vary Rover Evoque with an equivalent drivetrain, I used to be to see how the bigger and extra sensible Discovery Sport would fare with the identical electrified underpinnings.
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MY20 Discovery Sport proven
Whereas the Evoque feels fairly boxy and extra SUV-like, I used to be shocked to find simply how car-like the Discovery Sport is to drive. If something, it feels extra like a lifted wagon quite than a standard SUV.
Absolutely charged, the PHEV system will normally default to EV mode to prioritise zero-emissions motoring. Relying on the drive mode, nonetheless, the petrol engine could also be keener to kick in than you would possibly count on.
Like I skilled with the Evoque PHEV, there have been some complicated events when, regardless of being absolutely charged, the engine would nonetheless be eager to fireplace up and contribute, then take ages to show again off as if it wanted to heat up first.
Generally PHEV techniques will begin their combustion engine to keep away from gasoline getting stale within the tank after extended durations of not getting used, which may very well be a probable clarification if the car had been largely drive in EV mode. Anyway, I digress…
When the whole lot is working because it says on the tin, the Disco Sport PHEV is a stunning SUV to drive and simple to stay with. It’s clean, quiet and comfy, with impartial dealing with and well-calibrated driver controls.
It’s a refreshing hark again to extra conventional SUV traits that target occupant consolation, quite than a number of the Discovery Sport’s fashionable rivals that, in my view, are ruined with sporty packages and large wheels wrapped in liquorice-thin tyres.
The PHEV system locations the electrical motor between the engine and transmission, which means you’ll really feel the Disco Sport shift by way of cogs even in EV mode. Fortunately, it’s fairly clean and virtually imperceptible when it does this.
When the turbo-triple petrol engine joins the celebration, there’s a gravelly notice that doesn’t essentially smash the atmosphere, however it’s a stark distinction to when it’s working as an EV. It simply by no means actually fades into the background.
Push it more durable and it’ll make its presence identified, although it additionally helps to attain the claimed 6.6-second 0-100km/h acceleration time, which we didn’t confirm with correct timing gear, however I can confirm this e PHEV feels fairly peppy with each energy sources on-line if you give it the beans.
I struggled to match the claimed vary, nonetheless.
Whereas Land Rover quotes a little bit over 60km based on the WLTP normal, I used to be getting nearer to 47-55km per cost. Not unhealthy given my greater ratio of freeway driving, however rivals just like the XC60 T8 supply about 20 per cent extra.
It additionally has some enjoyable dialled in too. Throughout my time with the Discovery Sport I attended a media launch out within the Victorian Excessive Nation, accessed by winding B-roads with 80-100km/h pace limits. The mini-Disco was greater than as much as job right here.
The correct steering, first rate ranges of suggestions and tight physique management meant the Land Rover may very well be pushed at first rate clip with out feeling out of its depth. Clearly, the shared DNA with Jaguar has paid dividends right here, given the British sister model is well-known for producing enjoyable and fascinating autos.
We encountered some dust sections too, which the Discovery Sport ate up with aplomb. Its succesful and grippy all-wheel drive system permits you to drive on slippery surfaces with confidence.
As for driver help techniques, the Discovery Sport mainly has the whole lot however lively lane centring available.
The adaptive cruise management system works nicely however solely adjusts in 2km/h increments, and the audible pace restrict help operate will be turned off by way of a fast entry button on the steering wheel to keep away from the xylophone-like bongs.
There are additionally useful blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts to complement over-the-shoulder imaginative and prescient, whereas entrance and rear parking sensors increase the usual reversing digital camera – sadly, a surround-view digital camera suite is non-compulsory as a part of the Expertise Pack.
It’s a disgrace Land Rover merchandise don’t supply semi-autonomous freeway assists like their Jaguar and Vary Rover equivalents, given many house owners would spend loads of time touring on the freeway.
| Off-road specs | Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e |
|---|---|
| Monitor entrance and rear | 1625.2mm 1631.3mm |
| Floor clearance | 210mm |
| Strategy angle | 24.9 levels |
| Departure angle | 28.3 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 20.3 levels |
| Wading depth | 600mm |
To see how the Discovery Sport strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
The P300e PHEV is barely accessible in mid-spec Dynamic SE trim in Australia.
2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport S tools highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- DuoLeather seat trim
- 12-way energy driver seat incl. reminiscence
- 10-way energy passenger seat
- 12.3-inch digital driver show
- Wi-fi smartphone charger
- Door mirrors:
- Heated
- Electrical
- Energy folding
- Strategy lighting
- Auto-dimming – driver facet
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Cabin lighting – primary
- Twin-zone local weather management incl. rear vents
- Guide slide, recline second-row seats
- Energy tailgate
- 11.4-inch Pivi Professional infotainment
- DAB radio
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wi-fi
- 12V energy sockets
- Bluetooth
- 2 x USB cost ports in entrance row
- 2 x USB cost ports in second row
- 1 x USB cost ports in third row
- Keyless entry
Discovery Sport Dynamic SE provides:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Meridian premium audio
- Interactive Driver Show
- LED headlights
- LED daytime working lights – ‘Signature DRL’
- Brilliant metallic pedals
Discovery Sport Dynamic HSE provides:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Windsor leather-based seats
- 14-way energy entrance seats
- Heated, cooled entrance seats
- Matrix LED headlights
- Mounted panoramic roof
- Illuminated metallic tread plates
- Head-up show
To see how the Discovery Sport strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Choices
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is on the market with a few possibility packs, in addition to plenty of standalone choices.
Expertise Pack: $4700
- Clearsight digital rear-view mirror
- Head-up show
- Encompass digital camera system incl. wade sensing
- ‘Click on and Go’ built-in base unit
Consolation pack: $2437
- Photo voltaic-attenuating windscreen
- Configurable ambient lighting
- Cabin Air Purification Plus
- Rear temperature management
A few of the above tools can be found as single-item choices to keep away from costlier packages however, frustratingly, even the $100,000 Dynamic SE P300e requires bins to be ticked for options like:
- 3D {surround} digital camera: $650
- Matrix LED headlights: $2080
- Entrance fog lights: $403
- Privateness glass: $845
- Heated entrance seats: $858
- Heated rear seats: $858
Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport secure?
The Land Rover Discovery Sport wears a 2022-stamped five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on Euro NCAP exams – for all variants besides the PHEV, which stays unrated.
| Class | Land Rover Discovery Sport |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 88 per cent |
| Weak highway consumer safety | 71 per cent |
| Security help | 83 per cent |
Normal security options embrace:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Auto excessive beam
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver situation monitor
- Lane-keep help
- Parking sensors – entrance, rear
- Rear collision monitor
- Reversing digital camera
- Visitors signal recognition incl. pace limiter
- Tyre stress monitoring
To see how the Discovery Sport strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Land Rover Discovery Sport price to run?
The Discovery Sport vary is roofed by Land Rover Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre new car guarantee. Its PHEV battery is roofed for an eight-year, 160,000-kilometre interval.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres – car 8 years, 160,000 kilometres – PHEV battery |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 20,400 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | As much as 5 years or 102,000 kilometres |
| Whole capped-price service price | $2100 – 5 years |
To see how the Discovery Sport strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Land Rover Discovery Sport
It’s straightforward to overlook the Discovery Sport exists today, however it’s nonetheless a really succesful SUV and nicely value contemplating within the luxurious mid-sized SUV phase – however like plenty of British vehicles, it’s very spec-dependent.
Whereas the PHEV can add to the refinement in on a regular basis driving, its big value premium over the mild-hybrid petrol variants, occasional driveline quirks and the dearth of a third-row possibility imply it’s most likely not my decide of the vary.
One of many Disco Sport’s important drawcards over its rivals is the provision of seven seats, so I’d be inclined to save lots of $20,000 and go for the P250 petrol engine in equal Dynamic SE trim, and even the higher-spec Dynamic HSE grade which is almost $10,000 cheaper than the PHEV.
Whatever the spec you select, the Discovery Sport presents refined on-road manners with user-friendly tech inclusions – to various ranges. Even with some alternative choices ticked, the MHEV petrol choices keep a really aggressive value level relative to the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
In three-row kind, the Disco Sport’s solely actual rival is the Mercedes-Benz GLB, which on this reviewer’s opinion isn’t pretty much as good a automotive.
In contrast to most of its rivals, the Discovery Sport can also be made to deal with some tough stuff, not that many house owners will actually take a look at it to its full talents. It’s spectacular that even this plug-in hybrid model retains a degree of rugged functionality, regardless of its city-friendly electrified drivetrain.
Nonetheless, these strong traits aren’t sufficient to swing my vote in direction of the PHEV, sadly. Whereas it’s a pleasant automotive in isolation, rival PHEVs from the Germans and Swedes simply make extra sense.
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