2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport Review

Designed as a tough and capable medium SUV that inherits the company’s go-anywhere capabilities and mixes them in with a premium interior and the latest technology, the Discovery Sport is one of the most versatile on-paper options in the segment.

For 2024, the Discovery Sport lineup boasts more tech than ever before and the option of a super fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engine for both five- and seven-seat variants.

How well does the Discovery Sport stack up against its rivals? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Land Rover Discovery Sport Competition

How Much Does the Land Rover Discovery Sport Cost?

Prices for the MY24 Discovery Sport lineup kick off from $85,250 for the entry-level Discovery Sport SE P250.

Stepping up to the Discovery Sport P250 HSE brings the price to $94,800.

The range-topping Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e Dynamic SE plug-in hybrid electric is priced at $103,450.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 Dynamic SE Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Land Rover Discovery Sport Have?

The entry-level Land Rover Discovery Sport SE P250 range comes riding on 18-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, a Terrain Response 2 system, hill descent control, keyless entry & start, a choice of leather or leatherette/ultrasuede upholstery, a powered boot lift, digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, paddle shifters and metallic pedals.

Stepping up to the Discovery Sport HSE range adds a set of 20-inch alloys as well as upgraded Windsor leather upholstery, 14-way power-adjustable front seats and Matrix LED headlights.

Land Rover Discovery Sport Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Land Rover Discovery Sport range comes filled with technology, headlined by a large 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting smack bang in the centre of the dashboard.

JLR’s 11.4-inch ‘Pivi Pro’ is a great system, packed with features while remaining user-friendly to operate thanks to menu shortcuts and a clean, simple design.

The infotainment system also relays key information, like navigation instructions to the digital driver’s display which is a particularly nice, intuitive touch that keeps things connected for the driver.

The 11.4-inch infotainment system picks up Amazon ‘Alexa’ voice recognition, AM/FM radio, as well as Bluetooth and DAB+ digital radio on offer, with a six-speaker sound system fitted to the base model.

Stepping up to the Dynamic SE range adds a much more powerful 10-speaker premium sound system courtesy of Meridian.

Buyers also pick up an online pack with a data sim card to access Land Rover’s ‘InControl’ connected services suite which offers everything from vehicle tracking, diagnostics, over-the-air software updates and more.

Does the Land Rover Discovery Sport Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Thanks to a recent upgrade, the 2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport range now boasts wireless smartphone mirroring for both ecosystems.

That means that owners of an Android or iPhone can now pair their phone hands-free and access wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the move.

Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport Comfortable to Drive?

While the brand’s pedigree stems from ludicrous off-road abilities, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is a great daily driver.

On a mix of town, country and highway driving, the Discovery Sport is quick to assert itself as one of the most capable and comfortable all-rounders that can handle some serious punishment on rougher Aussie roads.

Under the bonnet, buyers have the choice of two powertrains for the Discovery Sport.

The entry-level Discovery Sport P250 picks up a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol that throws 183kW of power and 365Nm of torque to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic.

This unit has been carried over from previous versions of the Discovery Sport and proves itself a smooth and reasonably powerful engine option for a mix of town and off-road driving.

Stepping up to the all-new P300e plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor that combined throws out 227kW of power and 540Nm of torque.

With the help of a 14.9kWh battery pack, the P300e can drive on electric power alone for up to 66km on the NEDC cycle, or around 47km when put to the test in the real world.

In terms of braked towing capacity, the P250 range can tow up to 2,000kg while the P300e range has its towing power capped at 1,600kg.

Whichever engine you pick, the Discovery Sport is a well-accomplished package that feels smooth and refined around town.

The nine-speed automatic works a treat, offering smooth shifts and a constant, steady delivery of power, while the instant injection of torque from the P300’s electric motor adds urgency to the acceleration.

In terms of the ride, even with the larger alloys fitted, the Discovery Sport range handles a mix of bumps and potholes with a high degree of confidence.

Its home market in the UK is famed for its rough B-roads, which has more than likely carried over into its development.

In the corners, you’ll feel the Discovery Sport’s weight shift, though the platform as a whole stays reasonably flat, with a decent amount of feedback on offer from the steering rack.

Hit the highway and the Discovery Sport is smooth, refined and particularly quiet, making it a wonderful long-distance cruiser.

Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport Fuel Efficient?

Base versions of the Land Rover Discovery Sport range aren’t anything special when it comes to fuel economy - that’s a job reserved for the flagship PHEV variant.

On a combined cycle, the Discovery Sport with its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine consumes 8.4L per 100km, making it reasonably efficient for a petrol-powered 4x4 package but nothing game-changing.

Around town, the P250 turbo-petrol engine drinks 10.5L per 100km while time on the highway will see you sip a more frugal 7.2L per 100km.

If you’re looking to trim down your fuel bills, the P300e is rated at just 2.1L per 100km on a combined cycle, though these figures require a full battery for the electric motor to help take the strain off the petrol unit.

JLR doesn’t offer up a city fuel cycle figure for the P300e, though it says you’ll be consuming around 7.8L per 100km on the highway which, ironically, is less efficient than the P250 petrol.

What are the Off-Road Specs for the Land Rover Discovery Sport?

• Ground Clearance: 212mm

• Wading Depth: 600mm

• Approach Angle: 22.8  - 25 degrees

• Departure Angle: 28.2 - 30.2 degrees

• Breakover Angle: 19.5 degrees

Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport Practical and Spacious?

Step inside and you’ll be pleased to see just how sleek and stylish the Discovery Sport’s interior is, though it’s worth noting that seven-seat versions are at a disadvantage in one key area.

Climbing aboard is made simple with a pair of grab handles, while the raised driving position helps to add more visibility behind the wheel and confidence over your surroundings.

Key touchpoints feel nice and soft, while the raised roofline helps to add tonnes of headroom and extra light entering the cabin.

For 2024, one of the major Discovery Sport updates has been reserved for the interior.

The new, curved 11.4-inch infotainment display has allowed designers to keep things even more clean and simple with the layout of the centre console.

It now dominates the centre dashboard over the previous, smaller unit, as well as cleaning up the area below the display where you’d previously find climate control inputs.

This means that you’re now forced to make these inputs via the display, though the worthwhile trade-off here is the cleaner, uncluttered design and some extra real estate in the storage tray below.

On the topic of storage, the Discovery Sport features a large centre console with a deep stash area inside, a pair of cupholders, the aforementioned storage tray below the dash and some XL-sized bottle holders on each door sill.

Move to the second row and you’ll be pleased to find more than enough space for tall adults in the rear of the Discovery Sport.

Those in the second row are also treated with decent headroom, even with the slightly elevated seating position that also gives the kids a better view out of the windows on some long, tedious trips.

Legroom is excellent in the second row, with the bonus of a sliding bench design that allows for even more accommodation, or some extra boot volume if you’re in need, as well as ISOFIX anchor points and three top tether mounts on the seatback.

Move to the third row and you’ll find two seats that are only really suitable for younger kids, though does undoubtedly add to the versatility of the Discovery Sport package.

We’d classify it more as a five-plus-two than a fully-fledged seven-seater, but at least you’ve got the option.

How Big is the Land Rover Discovery Sport’s Boot?

Boot space in the Land Rover Discovery Sport ranges from a particularly petite 157L with all seven seats deployed, topping out at 1,651L with both rows folded.

In a more conventional five-seat arrangement, the Discovery Sport has a boot measuring 1,179L.

• Seven-Seats: 157L

• Five-Seats: 1,179L

• Both Rows Flat: 1,651L

Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport Safe?

As we’ve seen, JLR is no stranger to throwing lengthy amounts of technology into its vehicles, and this very much extends to the Discovery Sport’s safety equipment lists for 2024.

As standard, the Discovery Sport range boasts autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, safe exit alerts, traffic sign detection and a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensor.

Thankfully, no key safety equipment is reserved for more expensive members of the range, with the company happy to bundle its entry-level Discovery Sport with all the latest safety tech.

Does the Land Rover Discovery Sport Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

Petrol-powered versions of the 2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport range wear a five-star ANCAP safety rating, though plug-in hybrid variants remain untested.

Petrol versions scored a five-star safety rating after scoring the following marks in testing conducted in 2022.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 85%

• Child Occupant Protection: 88%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 71%

• Safety Assist: 83%

What Warranty Does the Land Rover Discovery Sport Come With?

Land Rover offers the Discovery Sport range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The P300e’s battery and high-voltage PHEV components are backed by an eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty that covers a minimum 70% state of health.

The company also offers five years’ worth of roadside assistance.

Our Verdict: Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport Worth it?

While there’s certainly no shortage of options in the luxury midsize SUV segment, the Land Rover Discovery Sport stands firmly on its feet as a premium, practical and incredibly competent off-road option for families.

Thanks to some recent tech upgrades, the Discovery Sport will leave no buyers wanting on features, while the clean interior layout is great on the eyes and offers a tonne of storage for the loose items families accumulate.

The option of a new, fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid at the pointy end of the range also gives fuel-conscious buyers some food for thought, atop the benefit of silky-smooth manners and the ability to drive on electric power alone.

We’d encourage you to add the Discovery Sport to your shortlist and reach out to one of our car-buying experts if you’re in the market for a new car.

Five Land Rover Discovery Sport Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-km warranty

2. Eight-year/160,000-km warranty for PHEV’s battery pack

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating, PHEV remains unrated

4. 157 - 1,651L boot space figures

5. 2.1 - 8.4L per 100km fuel economy figures (PHEV vs petrol)