Used Land Rover Discovery Sport for sale: everything you need to know
Land Rover launched the Discovery Sport in 2014 as a replacement for the popular Freelander, and it’s still going strong today. Alongside the more style-focused Range Rover Evoque it’s the most affordable model in the Land Rover Range, but still has all the traditional Land Rover strengths, from genuine off-road ability, to an image that more road-biased SUVs can’t quite match.
The range is broad, spanning everything from a simple front-wheel drive diesel with a manual gearbox, to high-spec, all-wheel drive plug-in hybrids with brisk performance and enough electric range for the average commute. It’s not as sporty as the name suggests and some other brands promise better long-term reliability, but buy a good Discovery Sport and you’ll wonder how you lived without one.
Should you buy a Land Rover Discovery Sport?
The Land Rover Discovery Sport has now been around for a decade, having launched in 2014. While Land Rover has made small changes during that time, it hasn’t messed with the basic formula: it’s still a practical SUV, mostly supplied with four-wheel drive (and the ability to really use it), and a badge on the front and the back that still still appeals to thousands of customers.
‘Sport’ is a bit of a misnomer as there’s very little sporty about the smaller Discovery model in the Land Rover range. It certainly doesn’t drive badly, with well-weighted steering that works as well on-road as it does off it, only modest body lean, and a ride quality that does a good job of dealing with poor road surfaces, at least above town speeds. But if you want an SUV that feels sporty, you’ll still need to send your money BMW or Audi’s way.
The Discovery Sport has Land Rover’s traditional raised seating position (it’s higher than a lot of other SUVs, even), and the interior is spacious and practical. There’s even a seven-seat option, though this is no MPV - the rearmost row is more for occasional use. Land Rover’s infotainment is better in later models than it was in earlier ones, and the engines are more refined in later cars too.
There is no shortage of alternatives for the Discovery Sport - rivals include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Volvo XC60 and Lexus NX, while for value something like the Skoda Kodiaq is hard to beat. Several are more economical too and their more road-biased handling leaves them feeling nimbler, but there’s still a lot to be said for the Land Rover image and off-road prowess.
What’s the best used Land Rover Discovery Sport model to buy?
If the look, driving experience, practicality and badge appeal of the Discovery Sport are your main goals and you’re unlikely to ever test Land Rover’s off-road prowess, then there’s an argument to be made for the entry-level front-wheel drive cars. They’re the most frugal (plug-in hybrids aside) yet lack nothing in terms of space, and the lower equipment levels still pack plenty of kit too so living with one is little hardship. Most Discovery Sports do come with four-wheel drive though and the extra poor-weather security (and yes, off-road ability) are nice to have. If you’re looking for a seven-seater, bear in mind that like a lot of seven-seat SUVs, the rearmost row is somewhat ‘occasional’ in nature.
Used Land Rover Discovery Sport fuel economy and performance
- Land Rover Discovery Sport D165: The range starts with a 165PS, 2-litre turbodiesel powering only the front wheels, and offered only with a manual gearbox. 0-62mph takes 10.4 seconds and claimed economy is 44.8mpg.
- Land Rover Discovery Sport D165 MHEV: In mild hybrid form performance remains the same, but now you get an automatic gearbox and four wheel drive. 0-62mph drops to 10.2 seconds but economy is a little behind at 42.2mpg.
- Land Rover Discovery Sport D200 MHEV: Despite its name the D200 actually makes 204PS, with standard automatic and four-wheel drive. 0-62mph is now 8.6 seconds, while economy remains 42.2mpg.
- Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 MHEV: The petrol mild-hybrid range starts with 2-litre turbocharged unit making 249PS, enough to get from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, while economy is quoted at 30.4mpg.
- Land Rover Discovery Sport P290 MHEV: Economy is unchanged in the more powerful (290PS) model, but performance improves, with a 7.4-second 0-62mph time.
- Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e: The little ‘e’ on the end of P300 means this model is a plug-in hybrid, with up to 37 miles of electric range. It’s actually a smaller engine than the other petrol hybrids at 1.5 litres, but electric assistance boosts output to 309PS, and four wheel drive is standard. The P300e is good for 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds, and 188.3mpg combined.
What used Land Rover Discovery Sport trim levels are available?
As the Discovery Sport has been around since 2014 and has been updated a couple of times since that launch, equipment levels have improved over time, and the car has been offered in a few different trim levels. The three trims detailed below apply to the most recent cars but are by no means comprehensive. However, the walk up from S to SE and HSE has remained fairly constant, so use that as a guide to the likely equipment levels of a given model. Many cars will have been embellished with options too, including seven seats in some versions.
- The Land Rover Discovery Sport S comes with a heated windscreen, LED headlights, heated seats, two-zone climate control, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- The Land Rover Discovery Sport Dynamic SE upgrades to automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, a unique LED signature for the daytime running lights, a powered tailgate, and keyless entry.
- The Land Rover Discovery Sport Dynamic HSE comes with matrix LED headlights, a head-up display, heated and cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel, plus all the kit from the models above.
Used Land Rover Discovery Sport dimensions and boot size
The Land Rover Discovery Sport’s dimensions are:
- Length: 4597mm
- Width: 2069mm (mirrors folded), 2173mm (with mirrors)
- Height: 1727mm
- Ground clearance: 212mm
The Land Rover Discovery Sport’s boot size is:
- 157 litres (seven seat mode)
- 1036-1179 litres (five seat mode)
- 1651-1794 litres (all seats folded)
Used Land Rover Discovery Sport road tax
The Discovery Sport’s relatively high list prices mean all recent cars attract a higher rate of VED or ‘road tax’, thanks to them costing more than £40,000 brand new. As such, used buyers will pay a hefty sum each year to tax them - £600 per year from the second to sixth years of registration for regular petrol and diesels, and £10 less for hybrids. This drops to a lower rate from years seven, while Discovery Sports registered prior to April 2017 are charged based on CO2 emissions instead.
How much is it to insure a Land Rover Discovery Sport?
You’ll find the current Discovery Sport range between insurance groups 39-41, out of the maximum group 50, though some earlier cars are a little less - a front-wheel drive D150 in standard trim drops as low as group 27. This is a little more than some rivals - the seven-seat Mercedes GLB goes from group 24 to 35.
