2023 Land Rover Discovery is Land Rover with some legitimate off-road capability, and the Discovery Sport offers just that with standard AWD and off-road tech features inherited from the more expensive siblings in the British brand’s lineup. It can easily climb hills and ford rivers far better than competitors such as the BMW X3, Porsche Macan, or Mercedes-Benz GLC-class. But all these SUVs all drive with more gusto on paved roads, while the Macan thinks it’s a sports sedan. A turbocharged four-pot provides adequate pep, but there’s simply no driving excitement here. The interior mimics the inheritance of its more premium stablemates and can be ordered with seating for seven. Overall, Discovery Sport lacks the panache and appeal to make it a leader in the compact luxury SUV segment.
Contents
What’s New?
There have been no to few changes in the Discovery Sport this year, but its Pivi Pro infotainment system now comes with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant built right in. The dashboard design mimics the flashier and pricier Land Rovers, and the Discovery Sport maintains the brand’s premium image. The cabin now offers sustainable materials and more seat configurations for better versatility.
Engine & Performance
All Discovery Sport models feature a turbocharged four-pot powerhouse that pumps-out 246 hp. It’s a no-brainer, and that all-wheel drive is standard, along with a host of optional trail-rated equipment. This helps the Sport float over bumpy terrain and weather any storm. The Discovery Sport can even wade into as much as 23.6 inches of water, and anyone can dare. Also, it can tow up to 4409 pounds. On testing the 2020 model with the 246-hp engine, it felt rather sluggish; the throttle response is lethargic. The Disco Sport takes 7.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. Handling isn’t particularly accurate, so it would be a joke to expect to wring thrills from curvy back roads. As a pro, the Discovery Sport delivers a comfortable ride for cruising.
Fuel-Economy
| 2023 Lan Rover Discovery Sport Mileage | City | Highway |
| Discovery SPort | 19 mpg | 23 mpg |
The Sport’s fuel-economy estimates as per the EPA are 19 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Compared with other luxury compact SUVs, the Rover is thirsty.
Dimensions & Airbags
| 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport Dimensions | |
| Length | 181.0 in |
| Width | 75.0 in |
| Height | 68.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.9 in |
| Cargo Volume | 4 ft3 |
| Airbags | 8 Airbags |
Every Discovery Sport model sport a 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring a Pivi Pro interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and other infotainment features such as a 4G LTE mobile hotspot, a head-up display, and in-dash navigation are optional. The standard sound system is a 180-watt six-speaker setup, but the brand also offers two Meridian stereos as options.
Pricing
| 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport Trims | Price (USD) |
| S | |
| S R-Dynamic | $46,275 |
| SE | $47,975 |
| SE R-Dynamic | $49,675 |
The SE model is the perfect variant to start with as it has several desirable features that the S model doesn’t. This includes premium LED headlamps with DRLs, a digital gauge display, and blind-spot monitoring. We’d recommend adding the optional 14-speaker Meridian Surround Sound stereo and 14-way power-adjustable front seats. A pop-up third row is available for those who need it. Land Rover offers several ways to personalize the Discovery Sport’s styling, including a black roof, a host of wheel designs, and premium metallic paint finishes.
Specifications & Top-Speed
| 2023 Land Rover Discovery Specifications | Specs |
| Engine | turbocharged inline-4 |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Horsepower | 246 hp |
| Torque | 269 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.5 sec |
| 0-100 MPH | 21.7 sec |
| 1/4 Mile | 15.8 sec |
| Top Speed | 132 mph |