ge4726826956575802449
ge5532661866062277025
ge4689029085916943726
ge5752939412529238504
ge5373315114061882541
Adam Davis18 Aug 2015
REVIEW

Land Rover Discovery Sport 2015 Review

'Little' Landie joins the long-term fleet
Review Type
Long-Term Test
Review Location
Introduction

When Land Rover Australia offered us the chance to sample its latest model, the Discovery Sport, for an extended period, we extended our hands in welcome… and made off with the keys before they could change their mind. With a combination of Land Rover’s legendary off-road abilities and new-found refinement, all wrapped up in a modern medium SUV package, more than one member of the office was intrigued to see how it performed, both on the road and in the mud of a Melbourne winter.

Long-Term Tests
motoring.com.au aims to make your choice of vehicle easier. Our Editorial section does this via our mix of news, international and local launch reviews as well as our seven-day tests.

From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend more time in a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks, but more recently we've settled on a six-month period as indicative of 'normal' ownership.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, pay for the servicing and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

We believe long-term tests give car buyers an added insight into the vehicle on test, but also the qualities behind the brand and nameplate. The extended period also allows us to touch base with the dealer networks in question.

It comes as no surprise that manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Six months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nitpick -- just like real owners do.

ge4689029085916943726

Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4 SE
Straddling the line between groovy SUV and traction-packed off-roader, the Land Rover Discovery Sport has slotted into the hotly-contested medium SUV segment as a replacement for the Freelander.

Offering full-time four-wheel drive, hill descent control and Land Rover’s well-known terrain response mode functionality, the Discovery Sport immediately adds off-road chops to the segment, though it does without the adjustable suspension height and low-range gearbox of its bigger brothers. That’s a good thing in this segment, however, as it keeps costs down.

The range initially commenced at $53,300 for the 110kW/400Nm TD4 SE manual, however, poor initial manual take-up has seen it dropped from the range, leaving the sole transmission a nine-speed automatic. These days, therefore, your Disco Sport entry price is $55,800 for the TD4 SE auto.

Opt for the SD4 SE, as per ‘our’ Disco Sport, and the price rises to $59,000. Given this car uses a 140kW/420Nm variant of the 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel and gains spec, you have to conclude it’s a worthwhile upgrade. Fuel consumption is unchanged, both power units using idle-stop technology and requiring 6.3L/100km in seven-seat form (up 0.2L/100km on the five-seat version), making the choice even easier.

Finished in Kaikoura Stone with Ebony on Ebony grained leather interior trim, this particular SD4 SE also benefits (for us, at least; we don’t have to pay the high option prices) from the following: seven seats ($1990); fixed panoramic roof ($1800); xenon lighting pack with LED signature ($1530); 19-inch alloy wheels ($1500, standard wheel diameter is 18 inches); metallic paint ($1300); DAB+ digital radio capability ($540); ‘InControl’ touchscreen apps ($530) and USB sockets to second and third rows ($160). As our testers cycle through the Disco, we’re sure you’ll hear more on the respective merits of each option, a list that takes the price to $68,206 as-tested (plus on-road costs).

ge4901987840898904827

Key standard features include keyless entry and start, eight-way powered adjustment for the front seats, a handy powered tailgate, rear-view camera (as part of the 8.0-inch colour touchscreen), SD card-based sat-nav, 10-speaker audio, rear parking aid, lane-departure warning, Bluetooth connectivity with device streaming, dual-zone climate control, heated auto-fold exterior mirrors, and an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system.

First impressions of the Discovery Sport’s exterior are good. It looks somehow tighter and more modern than its relatives, adding further credence to its Sport name.

The same is true of the cabin. There’s a nod towards its more up-market bretheren with the pop-up transmission control and ‘special programs’ switches which, coupled alongside the HDC switch, let you know you’re not in a tarted-up front-drive ‘utility’ vehicle.

The leather trim is pleasant, the overall ambience airy, especially with the panoramic roof option fitted. I also like the fitment of rubber mats in this particular car, showing that it’s built for off-road adventures.

Firing-up the diesel introduces an unexpected gruffness to proceedings, especially compared with the smooth, six-cylinder diesels found elsewhere in the Jaguar Land Rover group.

Still, the addition of idle-stop is welcome, and its transition from off to on is relatively seamless.

While the engine lacks the smoothness of some in its class, the nine-speed auto has a fine ratio spread with the top three gears working near-seamlessly to exploit the engine’s impressive torque and power outputs. Paddle shifters offer manual control which can especially assist in slow-speed off-road manoeuvres.

ge5188531014838035436

The permanent four-wheel drive system is fitted with a Haldex centre differential which disperses drive torque as required. These parameters, as well as steering response from the electrically-assisted power steering, throttle sensitivity, stability control modes and gearbox shifting, can be altered via terrain response. As well as an Eco mode, the Disco Sport can be cycled through Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand or auto options.

On road the Disco Sport corners flatter and brakes better than you may expect for a vehicle that weighs ‘at least 1805kg’. Off-road, the combined terrain response modes and low-down torque of the diesel (peak is produced at only 1750rpm) can keep most people out of trouble, though it obviously lacks the outright bush ability of its Discovery big-brother (it creams it on-road, however). On tighter tracks, the larger Discovery’s superior turning circle is particularly evident, our Sport on 19s running out of lock considerably more quickly.

One aspect of initial concern with the Discovery Sport has been the left-front audio speaker, which quickly began vibrating. It was returned to Land Rover for inspection, however, the problem has returned since. There’s also a disappointing lack of range for the digital radio. We will keep an eye on these issues, as well as record any others of particular note, during our time with the car.

Overall, these early kilometres (which saw the car consume 8.0L/100km on mixed surfaces, though mostly highway driving) confirm the Discovery Sport’s apparent point of difference. It combines essential aspects of modern medium SUV life; a seven-seat option, an automatic transmission, distinctive styling, easy ingress and egress, solid tech spec and decent on-road manners with off-road abilities largely borrowed from big brother.

And it does both competently enough to merit careful consideration for the more sports-oriented SUV owner. Let’s just hope the niggling speaker issue isn’t the start of something more serious.

Pricing and Features

2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4 SE pricing and specifications:
Price: $59,000 ($68,206 as-tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/420Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 161g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP)

Share this article
Written byAdam Davis
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Pros
  • Good blend of on and off-road dynamics
  • Stump-pulling torque
  • Versatility
Cons
  • Large turning circle
  • Engine vibrations
  • QC issues
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Looking for a family car?Get the latest advice and reviews on family car that's right for you.
Explore the Family Hub
Family
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.