DON’T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH
The Discovery appeals to adventurers and tops German rivals’ off-road ability
Land Rover’s Discovery Sport gave the premium mid-size SUV class a shake when it arrived in 2015, presenting buyers with a value-for-money alternative to the established market leaders from Germany, the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC.
The Disco Sport hit the sweet spot for size, price and specification and for a while occupied second place on the sales charts, behind the Mercedes. Many people, however, are still understandably wary of Land Rover’s enduring reputation for inconsistent quality and reliability.
Land Rover calls the 2020 Discovery Sport an update but there are extensive changes. The new base structure, or platform, is designed to accommodate future electric drive, fuelefficient engines including mild hybrid turbo diesels and a renovated seven-seat interior.
VALUE
The Discovery also has credible, as opposed to pretend, off-road chops. It may lack the lowrange transfer case of the big Landies but its Terrain Response 2 off-road drive software maximises traction on tricky surfaces, steep climbs and descents.
Ground clearance (212mm) and maximum fording depth (600mm) are best in class. Shame about the space-saver spare, though.
Standard gear includes LED headlights, 10-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, remote activated windows and leather upholstery.
Interesting tech includes the Activity Key, a waterproof wristband that will lock and unlock the car so you don’t have to take the main key when you go for a run or a swim.
There is optional camera-enhanced vision behind and in front, the latter at ground level so you can manoeuvre around rocks, big holes and other off-road nasties.
If you prefer a diesel, the base model 110kW/380Nm 2.0-litre D150 S, at $62,450, undercuts the prices of German equivalents by similar margins. It gets 48V mild hybrid drive, with nine-speed automatic and AWD.
COMFORT
The Discovery Sport is a Tardis, with a lot more interior space than its modest exterior dimensions suggest.
There’s plenty of adjustability for the driving position and the seat is firm and supportive. A gear lever replaces the previous model’s rotary selector.
Row two is 40-20-40, with a 60-40 split for adjustable legroom — of which there’s ample, even with tall occupants up front.
Tilting and sliding the larger kerbside section for row three access is a chore, due to the heavy seat and stiff mechanism. You really have to heave on the seat to move it fore and aft.
Row three comprises two individual seats, easily raised from the floor. It’s too tight for adults but the idea here is that it’s handy if, from time to time, you’ve got a couple of stray kids who need a lift — if you fill seven seats on a regular basis, you want a larger wagon.
SAFETY
Better than the base model Germans. Adaptive cruise includes automatic stop-go in slow traffic and a pedestrian airbag is standard.
DRIVING
With 320Nm of torque available from 1250rpm, Land Rover’s 2.0-litre turbo is tuned for strong drive off idle and in the critical 2000rpm-3000rpm range, where its grunt and responsiveness mimic a turbo diesel.
Performance drops off near the top end but as you rarely go there it’s not an issue.
It’s exceptionally smooth and quiet, with long highway legs. At 100km/h in ninth gear, it’s pulling 1600rpm. With the rear axle automatically decoupled in cruise mode to maximise fuel economy, the Disco averages about 7L/100km (on premium), which is pretty frugal for a mid-size petrol SUV.
In town, it’s doing low-mid teens. The ninespeed auto’s shifts are usually smooth and timely but, teamed with automatic stop-start, it can occasionally hesitate to engage from rest.
The Discovery Sport’s suspension is finely calibrated for a smooth, supple ride (helped by baggy 60 aspect ratio tyres) and rock-solid roadholding on rough surfaces, including bush tracks.
Turn into tight corners and there’s some body roll. The car quickly settles and tracks through the bend with good control and, if necessary, adjustability (especially for a sevenseater wagon), a process aided by tactile, accurate steering and its reasonably svelte (again, for a seven-seater) 1867kg.
HEART SAYS
I’ll probably never go further off-road than the Bunnings carpark but there’s something about Land Rovers that appeals to the adventurer within.
HEAD SAYS
I’m after something with more off-road ability than the German brands plus a more versatile, kid-friendly interior. The price is certainly right.
ALTERNATIVES SKODA KODIAQ SPORTLINE, FROM $48,890
Great value for our 2017 Car of the Year, with 132kW 2.0-litre turbo/seven-speed dual-clutch auto/all-wheel drive. A kid carrier par excellence. Spend an extra $3700 for the fullhouse safety tech option.
VW TIGUAN ALLSPACE HIGHLINE, FROM $52,490
The long wheelbase, seven-seater version gets a 162kW 2.0-litre turbo/seven-speed dual-clutch auto/all-wheel drive. Sportier handling on bitumen than the Disco but a firmer ride and less off-road ability.