The Land Rover Discovery Sport came on the market to replace the Land Rover Freelander 2, and thus be able to cope with models such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3 or Volvo XC60. At 4.59 meters in length, it is positioned one step below the Discovery.

It is a much more refined product than the model it replaces, with less off-road capabilities, but much more settled and comfortable on fast roads.

Although aesthetically it is very similar to the Land Rover Discovery, this Land Rover Discovery Sport has many differences with its brother.

Land Rover Discovery Sport design

In the front, both models are very similar, and share the high and wide nose of the new models of the English brand. The Discovery has slightly sharper headlights, but at first glance it is hard to tell them apart.

It is laterally where the difference is most noticeable, since the 4.97 meters in length of the Discovery are noticeable, a lot. Those extra 38 centimeters are most evident from the C-pillar to the rear.

At the rear, the Discovery comes out much better when standing aesthetically. Debuts pilots much thinner and more stylized than before; those of the Sport are more square and simple. The rear of the Land Rover Discovery Sport seems to us the least worked or fortunate, but in taste there is nothing written.

The width of the two is very similar; only one centimeter differentiates them, in favor of Discovery. Height is the height that distances them the most to the naked eye: the older brother is twelve centimeters taller, and that is many centimeters.

Inside

The interior of the Discovery Sport is very spacious for five passengers. Here it stands out among its alternatives, especially in the shoulder width dimension. It is also available with 7 seats, but the two rear seats are only suitable for small people or children.

The Land Rover Discovery does have a fully usable third row of seats, even for tall people, so in this sense, it is better resolved than an Audi Q7. Access to these seats is not comfortable in either of the two models.

The dashboard is better cared for in the Discovery, the layout of the controls is very similar, but this one has more accomplished finishing touches. Although both are very robust, the finish is quite noticeable, the Sport’s simpler.

If you are looking for a huge trunk, the Discovery is a great alternative, with 723 liters, compared to the 541 liters of the Sport, but you will not have problems when it comes to accommodating the suitcases of the whole family. The Sport does not have a small boot by any means, but it is slightly inferior to the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, with 550 liters each.

Dynamic

Both models are very comfortable for journeys on fast roads. They stand out for their very successful cabin soundproofing and linear stability that makes long journeys much more bearable.

Unlike what happened with the Freelander 2, these two new models have a suspension that supports the body very well and largely prevents swaying. Suspension travel is less on the Sport than on the Discovery, so the latter is a bit more suitable for off-road riding.

Motor

Land Rover Discovery Sport

• Diesel : only available with diesel engines. It has a single block of 2.0 liters of displacement and three power levels: 150, 179 and 240 hp. The two lower power are available with two or four wheel drive; the most powerful only with 4 × 4 traction. The most advisable version is the 179 hp version (it accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 9.9 seconds).

Land Rover Discovery

• Gasoline : It has a unique and powerful gasoline option. It is a block of 3.0  liters and 340 hp of power. With it he manages to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 7.1 seconds, a very good figure for a car weighing 2,148 kilograms. Its consumption is not so good, with 10.9 liters per 100 kilometers according to official data.
• Diesel : we have two blocks, one 2.0, with 179 or 240 hp, or a 3.0 with 258 hp. The 2.0-liter, 240-hp variant fits the Discovery like a glove. With this engine it achieves a power reserve at the height of the possibilities of the chassis and maintains quite low consumption: 6.2 liters / 100 km.

Prices

• Land Rover Discovery Sport : from € 35,200 for the Pure 4 × 2 trim with 150 hp to € 69,450 for the Luxury 4 × 4 trim with 240 automatic hp.
• Land Rover Discovery : from € 56,150 that costs the 179 hp 2.0 TD4 to € 91,750 for the 3.0 TDV6 with 258 hp and the First Edition finish. All Discovery have automatic transmission.

It depends on the needs we have in terms of interior space and trunk, this will make us opt for one or the other, although as you ride both, you will fall in love with the older brother, much more premium and sophisticated.

Only the € 20,000 difference in price between its basic versions will make you think about purchasing the Discovery, a very large difference not to take it into account.