Goodwood Test: 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport Review

It seems a long time ago that the Freelander II, the Land Rover Discovery Sport’s predecessor, was fresh out of the box. It was 13 years ago to be exact – I remember that launch well because I sort of got kidnapped in Morocco while exploring the off-roading capabilities in the desert, but that’s another story.

Thankfully, we tested the new Disco Sport in the slightly friendlier environment of the Lake District. Only slightly friendlier, mind you: we still got coerced into some fresh-water coasteering round Ullswater, as part of Land Rover’s general extreme-adventure brand messaging. Luckily, the Disco Sport is a snug place to warm up when you can’t feel your feet.

The new version is still a small car offering up to seven seats, but now with an upgraded design, mild-hybrid powertrains and new infotainment system.

The familiar clamshell bonnet and tapered roof remain but there are new LED tail lights which make more of a difference than you might think, plus updated grilles and bumpers front and rear and the option of 21-inch wheels.

We drove the Discovery Sport to Land Rover’s Experience Centre in the Yorkshire Dales. The brand offers a Land Rover Experience to all new customers, whether they’re buying new or used, through an approved dealer. If only all owners took up the offer: it’s criminal to buy a Land Rover and never know what your car is capable of. The instructors are friendly and the experience extreme enough to leave all drivers impressed, with a range of steep inclines, streams, rolling logs and sideways slopes to traverse. Naturally, the car doesn’t falter – it would be a strange customer experience if it was designed to show the weaknesses of these cars – but it does show their range to extraordinary effect, the waves of the water lapping at the bonnet, the hill descent control kicking in to control the car’s slippery descent…

Land Rover’s superlative off-roading system, Terrain Response 2, offers drivers comfort, sand, grass-gravel-snow and mud and ruts to choose from, or can simply carry you over difficult terrain choosing which systems to use automatically. The new body is 13 per cent stiffer, giving a more refined flow to the drive.

Back on tarmac, we wound our way back to Ullswater over hill and dale, the car comfortable, warm, silent and smooth. Engines on offer are 2.0-litre petrols and diesels with the mild-hybrid system which harvests energy on deceleration. Below 11mph the engine will shut off, with the stored energy kicking in under acceleration.

The base 150 horsepower diesel version has front-wheel-drive and a manual 'box; the rest have all-wheel-drive with an auto transmission.

Inside, there are new seats that split and fold in numerous ways to make the most of the space. There is more stowage in the centre console, lower dashboard compartment and door bins. You can opt for up to eight USB ports for charging things all over the car, and wireless phone charging, and there are cupholders and air-con controls for the third-row passengers. Optional “Click and Go” tablet holders, which charge tablets as well as storing them, are now available for the second row.

The materials have an even more premium feel, whether you specify leather, fabric or one of the technical materials, including one made entirely from recycled materials.

Technology includes a brand new 10.25-inch “Touch Pro” infotainment system. You can choose a two-screen layout which echoes the Velar’s design, and all the latest toy box of Land Rover tricks is available, including the ClearSight rear-view mirror which relays an image from a camera mounted on the roof, meaning you can stack the boot to the gunnels and still see out. Even more impressive is the same tech for the front of the car, which essentially turns the bonnet transparent, giving you a view of what’s underneath it and right by it; particularly handy for off-roading where you lose sight of the ground beneath.

Another cool trick is Advanced Tow Assist, which essentially does the counter-steering for you, by transforming one of the rotary dials in the car into the steering knob.

Standard safety features include a rear camera, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors and cruise control. 

Of the five trim levels – Standard, S, SE, HSE and R-Dynamic – SE trim gives you a good range of specification, and for £42,000 with the P200 petrol engine, would be our Discovery Sport of choice.