A Name Worth Remembering 

Land Rover may have made a name for itself building tough, basic 4x4s prized by farmers, explorers, and militaries across the globe, but the world of utility vehicles is changing. Car-based crossovers are the hot ticket now, even for a brand that helped invent the traditional, truck-based SUV.

So first came the Range Rover Evoque, a stylish, coupe-like crossover that was unlike anything Land Rover had ever made before. But to truly meet the needs of crossover-hungry customers, Land Rover needed something more practical. Enter the 2016 Discovery Sport, which has all of the benefits of a crossover, but still retains the soul of a Land Rover.

Performance

The 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport is offered with a single powertrain that makes an excellent all-rounder. It’s also worlds away from the big, gas-guzzling motors normally associated with luxury SUVs.

A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 240 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Land Rover says this peppy engine will get the Discovery Sport from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, and on to a top speed of 124 mph. It also gets EPA-rated fuel economy of 22 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway).*

And while it may be a small crossover with a car-like unibody design, the Discovery Sport still has all of the off-road abilities of traditional Land Rovers. That starts with the body itself. It has 8.8 inches of ground clearance and approach, departure, and breakover angles of 25, 31, and 21 degrees, respectively. The Discovery Sport can climb gradients of up to 45 degrees, and ford a stream.

The full-time intelligent all-wheel drive system is paired with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system. This alters different vehicle parameters like throttle response, transmission shifts, brake response and stability control for maximum performance on different types of terrain. It includes four settings: General, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts, and Sand.

Features

The 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a compact five-door crossover utility vehicle. It’s available in either the standard five-seat configuration, or an optional “5+2” seven-seat configuration. There are three trim levels offered, starting from $37,455.**

The base SE comes standard with partial leather seats, the Terrain Response system, rearview camera, rear parking aid, power-folding exterior mirrors, and other features. The HSE model includes all of those features, and adds Xenon headlights with LED signature, fog lights, fixed panoramic roof, grained leather seats passive entry, front and rear parking sensors, and a power tailgate.

The top Discovery Sport model is the HSE Luxury, which includes all of the applicable standard features from the other two models, as well as an 11-speaker audio system, Windsor leather seats, configurable mood lighting, SiriusXM® satellite radio and HD Radio®, navigation system, Land Rover’s InControl Apps connectivity feature, and more.

Optional features include pre-wiring for onboard Wi-Fi, a Black Design Package with blacked-out wheels and exterior trim, three-row seating in a “5+2” configuration, and a Climate Comfort Package, including climate-controlled front and heated rear seats, a heated leather steering wheel, and heated windshield.

Design

Like the Range Rover Evoque that rides on a similar platform, the Discovery Sport features styling that’s more modern and car like than that of previous Land Rovers. The edges are more rounded, and the roof is less upright than it is on the big Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, or LR4. The Discovery Sport is also very small for a Land Rover, small enough to fit in a “compacts only” parking space, the carmaker says.

The small size makes the Discovery Sport easier to handle both on road and off, and there are still plenty of styling cues to give it a distinct Land Rover identity. That includes the clamshell hood, two-bar grille with hexagonal mesh, bold “Discovery” lettering on the hood, and the distinctive headlight design (with optional LED signature).

The interior balances stylish design with luxury features, and the practicality required of a family vehicle. The driver gets the same Sports Command Driving Position as other Land Rovers. This not only raises the seat, but also involves positioning the pillars and dashboard in such a way as to maximize visibility. The Discovery Sport also features “stadium” seating, with the middle row positioned 50mm higher than the front bucket seats. Use of a compact multi-link suspension setup allows for the addition of a pair of rear seats for occasional use, making this small crossover a seven-seater.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, trailer stability assist, tow assist, and a full array of airbags. Optional features include a rearview camera, park assist, lane-departure warning, and traffic sign recognition.

Verdict 

The 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a proper Land Rover, but with all of the virtues of modern car-based crossovers.

Contact us online or visit 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 to schedule a test drive.

*All figures are EPA estimates. Actual mileage may vary.

**Price shown is Base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $995 destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Total Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price includes $995 destination/handling charge and may include optional equipment but excludes tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for details.

Image Credit: Land Rover