Why The Discovery Sport Is The Best Land Rover We've Had In Years

Before we begin, let’s get something straight: the new Land Rover Discovery Sport isn’t a slopey-roofed version of the regular Discovery as you might be expecting. The Discovery Sport is the replacement for the old Freelander, a car that limped along in the LR line-up between 1997 and 2014.

And while a replacement for the inconspicuous Freelander doesn’t sound like anything to interest you or I, a day behind the wheel of a Disco Sport recently surprised me in a good way. What I learnt is that the Discovery Sport is a very good car and probably the most un-compromised model in the entire line-up. Here are a few reasons why it’s so good:

1. It's an honest Land Rover

While the Range Rover Evoque continues to be one of the best-selling models in the SUV segment, its fussy design means that the rear window gives you less visibility than if you were to replace the glass with bricks. The fact that it’s called the Range Rover Evoque also annoys me (it’s nowhere near as refined or wonderful as the real thing), as does the loose Victoria Beckham association. To me, then, the Evoque isn’t an honest Land Rover, while the the Discovery Sport is.

The reason is simple: fussy styling for styling’s sake wasn’t at the top of the list when the Disco Sport was conceived. In fact, the rear of the car is actually quite plain, featuring lights that you’d have seen on a Japanese SUV in 2002. The car’s front and profile are much more elegant, but not at the expense of practicality. This is what modern Land Rovers should be about, and the Sport has it nailed.

2. It's great to drive on the road

Here’s something I wasn’t expecting: the Discovery Sport drives amazingly well on the road. The ride is great, the nine-speed (yes, nine speed) ZF gearbox is as smooth as butter (there’s also the option of a six-speed manual) and refinement is second to none. Despite its sheer bulk, the Discovery Sport changes direction quickly and possesses great body control. This is thanks to integral multi-link rear suspension, a stiff chassis and variable-ratio steering.

The only engine on offer currently is a 2.2-litre diesel with 188bhp. It gives the Discovery Sport solid performance (0-62mph takes 8.4 seconds and top speed is 117mph), rather than exciting performance, which is just about right for an SUV of this size and weight (approx 1.8 tonnes).

There’s also little in the way of road or wind noise and the interior is nicely decked-out, solid, and easy to get comfortable in.

Behind the front seats you get flexible seating - there’s a sliding second row - and up to 1698 litres of space with the seats folded flat. For a bit of perspective, that figure is the equivalent of stacking 10 Jeremy Clarksons on top of each other.

Interestingly, you can also option USB charging ports for all of the seven seats (the Sport has a 5+2 seating layout), which is a clever and very useful touch from Land Rover.

On Land Rover’s purpose-built off-road course, the Discovery Sport crawled, swam and pulled its way along with relative ease. The SUV’s 212mm ground clearance meant that we only kissed the deck lightly a couple of times and thanks to a wading depth of 600mm, we were able to drive through pretty deep waters; for context, the proper Discovery has a wading depth of 700mm.

The Discovery Sport - like other cars in the segment - also features hill descent and terrain response modes, which lock the speed when you’re travelling down seriously steep and muddy tracks.

4. It doesn't cost as much as you were probably expecting

Fair play to Land Rover for not asking massive money for the Discovery Sport. Prices for the SUV start from £32,395 (£34,195 with the nine-speed auto), which actually represents good value for money when you consider the car’s size, abilities on and off road and standard kit; this includes part leather seats, 18-inch wheels, a heated windscreen, seven seats and cruise control. Not bad at all.

To conclude

The Discovery Sport isn’t the ultimate mountain climber and it isn’t as posh or plush as a Range Rover. But it is a manageable size for most driving occasions, is extremely versatile and completely honest. It drives well on the road, has an excellent automatic ‘box and can handle off-roading competently.

It’s also the kind of car that you could drive for days on end without getting stressed, and that’s why it’s probably the best all-rounder in the Land Rover range.