2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV

　　

2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport is the smaller sibling to the standard three-row Discovery and serves as the entry-level model for the Land Rover brand. It's larger than the Range Rover Evoque but less luxurious and has a lower starting price. Despite its lower price, the Discovery Sport has an upscale interior and comfortable ride. As you'd expect of a vehicle wearing the storied Land Rover badge, it also delivers better-than-average off-road capability.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$184/mo  for Discovery Sport P250 S

　　Discovery Sport P250 S

　　P250 S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $43,300 MSRPP250 R-Dynamic S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $45,100 MSRPP250 SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $46,800 MSRPP250 R-Dynamic SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $48,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　When it was introduced back in 2015, the Discovery Sport was a surprisingly capable small sport ute offering competitive performance and technology features. But eight years later, the most affordable Land Rover struggles to keep up with the competition. The model got a major update in 2020, which included an exterior refresh and a new chassis shared with the second-generation Evoque and Jaguar E-Pace. For 2023, Land Rover makes a few key features like adaptive cruise control standard, but it also deletes a number of features from the Discovery's options list. Most notable is the omission of the fully digital instrument panel, which had to be cut due to the global semiconductor shortage.

　　The Discovery Sport might have the upper hand against the competition when it comes to off-road prowess, but in nearly every other measure it falls short. Just one engine is available, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, and its acceleration and fuel economy numbers are disappointing. And while the interior is somewhat upscale, it can't compare with the materials quality you'll find in the options list from Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi. One thing the Discovery Sport has that most small luxury SUVs don't is an optional third row. However, it's very tight and best reserved for short trips.

　　If you're shopping in this category, you might be attracted to the Discovery Sport for its innate ruggedness, but if you want a good all-around luxury SUV you'd be better served by a Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3 or Genesis GV70. If you must have the Land Rover badge, we recommend stretching your budget and going with one of the brand's larger models like the three-row Discovery or Defender.

　　

Which Discovery Sport does zzdcar recommend?

With so many stand-alone options available, the base S model makes a better starting point than the SE, which doesn't get you that many more features for a higher starting price. Check the box for the Technology Pack to add a head-up display and digital rearview mirror and the Blind Spot Assist Pack for its blind-spot warning system.

　　

Land Rover Discovery Sport models

Two versions of the 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport are available: S and SE. Each one seats five people unless you opt for a third-row seat that bumps the count to seven passengers. Land Rover installs just one engine under the Discovery Sport's hood: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making a modest 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. Standard equipment highlights include:

　　S

　　The Discovery Sport S includes:

　　All-wheel drive Off-road driving modes for various terrain and conditions 18-inch wheels LED headlights and taillights Power-folding and heated exterior mirrors Rain-sensing windshield wipers Power liftgate Remote keyless entry Choice of leather or faux leather seating surfaces 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control Ambient interior lighting 7-inch instrument panel digital display 10-inch infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility First- and second-row USB ports Wireless smartphone charging Six-speaker audio systemStandard driver assist features include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Land Rover 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) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) 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)SE

　　The Discovery Sport SE upgrades you with:

　　20-inch wheels Upgraded LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist Front seat memory settings 11-speaker Meridian premium audio system Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)Both the S and SE trims are available with an R-Dynamic appearance package. Contents include:

　　Black exterior trim Dark aluminum interior trim Black headliner Red or white interior stitching Metallic shift paddles Metal-trimmed pedalsLand Rover offers numerous stand-alone options for the Discovery Sport, allowing customers to personalize their SUVs. In addition to unique wheels, upgraded interior materials, more powerful audio systems and towing equipment, there are multiple option packages that add appealing features to the Discovery Sport. Highlighted option packages include:

　　Family Pack

　　Panoramic sunroof Third-row seats Third-row air vents Cargo space partition net Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out of the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)Technology Pack

　　Digital rearview mirror Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

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