Land Rover have been making some significant progress in the compact premium saloon market, despite the fact that most people’s attention in this area has been focused on Jaguar recently. And while it’s true that Jaguar seem to be bringing something quite good to the table, Land Rover’s new offer is definitely not to be missed out on. The new Discovery Sport is actually quite the impressive package, and many critics have been saying that it can easily compete against the Jaguar XE.
Something interesting about the new model which reviewers have been pointing out, is that it’s supposed to replace the Freelander, but it’s actually quite different in its design compared to its predecessor. The overall shape of the vehicle has been shifted to a lower, longer frame, and the SUV has a seven-seat capacity.
The interior has been designed with flexibility in mind first and foremost, with a sliding bench in the middle that can allow passengers to easily configure their seating arrangement to their comfort, along with the “stadium” design featured in the Discovery, with varying seat height. It’s obvious that Land Rover have put a lot of effort and thought into coming up with an original interior design that gives passengers the best possible comfort during the ride, and they’ve done a great job, according to most reviewers.
In general, the design of the SUV seems to be aimed at families more than any other market segment, and it has a lot of utility to its build, both on the inside as well as beneath the hood. Critics have been commending Land Rover for prioritizing functionality over aesthetics, but at the same time, the new Discovery Sport still manages to look great. Not only that, but its comfortable riding experience reportedly makes the SUV an excellent choice for longer trips, even when every seat is occupied for the entire ride.
The initial offer will only feature one engine, a 2.2 liter diesel model – it’s actually the same one as in the last Freelander, so buyers familiar with the previous model should already know what to expect; and that’s solid performance, even though it doesn’t truly shine with anything special.
The engine is still noteworthy for its low emissions and moderately good fuel efficiency, although this is still not a lightweight vehicle when it comes to its consumption. Drivers should prepare adequately – or wait until Land Rover releases the 2.0 liter model, which will also have lower emissions. The alternative version is going to be made available some time after the release of the original, although it’s not clear when exactly.