Car Review : Land Rover Discovery Sport 2024
The Discovery Sport is the most affordable way to get behind the wheel of a Land Rover. With the exception of the closely related Range Rover Evoque, the Discovery Sport is the smallest SUV in Land Rover’s lineup. It hasn’t been redesigned in about 10 years, but it receives some needed updates for 2024. The Discovery Sport’s interior now looks more modern thanks to a larger 11.4-inch touchscreen, a new digital instrument cluster, and an updated center console with a new toggle-style gear shifter. It also gains a fixed panoramic sunroof and a Meridian sound system as standard equipment.
How good is the Discovery Sport?
The Discovery Sport’s 2024 updates are solid improvements, but they aren’t enough to make it competitive. The aging Land Rover competes in the small luxury SUV segment that’s packed with several highly rated rivals that have been redesigned since the Discovery Sport’s last redesign in 2015, and some have been redesigned twice. Most of its rivals are more modern and deliver more elevated comfort and luxury. But it’s not all bad news. The Land Rover provides lots of cargo space behind the second row, a spacious cabin with an optional third row, and solid off-road capability. We recommend test-driving some of its rivals below before you decide.
Competitors to consider
The Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Acura RDX are three of our top small luxury SUVs. The Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Lexus NX 350 are other good alternatives. These rivals are not only better than the Discovery Sport in most ways, but they also have lower starting prices. As for all-electric options, consider the Audi Q4 e-tron, Genesis GV60 and Tesla Model Y. The Audi and Genesis have slightly higher starting prices, but they have a lot to offer.
Which Discovery Sport does recommend?
The base S trim level is the one to get. Instead of spending more on the Dynamic SE trim level, which is largely just a cosmetic upgrade, you can add a few optional packages that improve the Discovery Sport in other ways. The Dynamic Handling Pack is a worthy upgrade because it adds an adaptive suspension that improves the ride quality and handling.
Land Rover Discovery Sport models
The 2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport is available in two trim levels: S and Dynamic SE. Each seats five passengers unless you opt for a third row that bumps the count to seven passengers. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (246 horsepower, 269 lb-ft of torque) is the only engine option. It’s backed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment highlights include:
S
The Discovery Sport S includes:
All-wheel drive
18-inch wheels
Fixed panoramic sunroof
LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist
Power-folding and heated exterior mirrors
Power liftgate
Keyless entry and ignition
Off-road driving modes for various terrain and conditions
Choice of leather or synthetic leather upholstery
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable heated steering wheel
Dual-zone automatic climate control
The Discovery Sport also comes with these technology features:
Digital instrument panel
11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
Wireless smartphone charging pad
Meridian audio system
Standard driver assist features include:
Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don’t respond in time)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Discovery Sport and the car in front)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the Discovery Sport back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the Discovery Sport back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle’s blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot while in reverse)
Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Discovery Sport and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Dynamic SE
The Dynamic SE adds:
19-inch wheels
Black roof and black exterior trim
Dark aluminum interior trim
Aluminum pedals
Metallic shift paddles
In addition to different wheels, upgraded interior materials and an upgraded Meridian audio system (for Dynamic SE only), there are multiple option packages that add appealing features to the Discovery Sport.
Highlighted option packages include:
Dynamic Handling Pack
Adaptive suspension (helps improve ride quality and handling)
Configurable drive settings (allows drivers to customize throttle, transmission, steering and suspension settings)
Technology Pack
Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out of the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Cold Climate Pack
Heated windshield
Heated rear seats
Headlight washers
Third Row Pack
Third-row seats
Manual slide and recline second-row seats
Third-row A/C vents
Comfort Pack
Configurable interior ambient lighting
Second-row A/C vents and temperature control
Air purification system
Towing Pack 2
Tow hitch receiver
Advanced tow assist (assists the driver when reversing with a trailer)
2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport Features Specs
| Total MSRP | $50,075 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $198/month |
| Seating | 5 seats |
| Cargo Capacity
All Seats In Place
|
32.7 cu.ft. |
| Drivetrain | All Wheel Drive |
| Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
