Land Rover sought a location that would contain virtually every known condition that could possibly upset a Utility Vehicle’s day. Iceland, in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, filled the bill perfectly. Essentially a volcanic minefield, it’s a combination of beauty, desolation and adventure that brings to mind Nordic invaders in Viking helmets during the Ninth Century. Or not. Bottom line, though, is that it takes a hardy soul, animal or vehicle to survive.
Land Rover calls the Discovery Sport the most capable and versatile compact utility vehicle they have made to date, but does this newest Rover have what it takes? Read on.
New but improved
Totally new, the Discovery Sport is the replacement of the Land Rover LR2, and will become a stablemate of the LR4, which already uses the Discovery name in over 170 worldwide markets. Built on a platform with a wheelbase that is 3.25-inches longer than the smaller Range Rover Evoque, it is that vehicle’s larger, more capable big brother. Penned by Land Rover chief designer Gerry McGovern and his team, it was shown at the 2014 New York International Auto Show as the Land Rover Discovery Vision concept vehicle.
Built with four doors and a rear-opening hatch, Land Rover is calling it a 5+2 seater rather than a seven-passenger vehicle. Sure, it’s an attempt to appeal to families, and includes a sliding middle row, but in reality, only the shortest of shorties will actually be able to fit back there. Still, it features stadium seating placing the second and third row seats approximately two-inches higher than those in front of them, respectively. It is offered in three trim levels ranging from base SE, HSE, and HSE Lux with all the various fitments expected from a top-of-the-range vehicle.
Buyers will typically cross shop the Discovery Sport with Audi’s Q5, BMW’s X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK. However, it should be noted that those competitors only offer two rows of seating. If you want a vehicle that can match the Discovery Sport’s 5+2 seating arrangement, you’ll either have to upgrade to something more expensive like the Q7 or switch to a non-premium product like the Kia Sorento.
Motivation
Power comes from the impressive 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine found in the Range Rover Evoque. Direct-injected, it makes 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, and 250 lb-ft of torque at a lowly 1,750 rpm. It is mated to a ZF nine-speed automatic transmission and Haldex full-time four-wheel-drive system that is operated by the rising rotary gear selector knob on the center console, and works in combination with the steering wheel-mounted paddle shift levers.
The nine-speed transmission uses tightly spaced cogs with an extremely low first gear for off-road encounters. Using adaptive shift technology and a weight 16.5 pounds lighter than the brand’s six-speed automatic transmission, the end-result is improved fuel economy with lower emissions.
Land Rover says the auto start/stop-equipped petrol-burner goes from 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, tops out at 124 mph, and achieves 21 city/ 28 highway with 23 miles per gallon combined. All that and the ability to tow 5,500-pounds, too. For those of the oil-burning persuasion, Land Rover’s 2.2-liter turbo-diesel will be available later in the year.
Design and Capability
Within the Land Rover range, the brand builds vehicles for three separate niche groupings. Range Rover occupies the luxe end of the spectrum while Defender goes all Mad Max in its segment. Discovery ventures into both sides with luxury features and enhanced capabilities needed to hit the trails as well as the local fashion malls.
Using construction techniques gleaned from the Jaguar F-Type, the Discovery Sport is built with some Aluminum to decrease weight, while other body parts include 20-percent Boron and high strength steels. A bonus: Our tester was spec’d with one of the largest panoramic sunroofs we have seen in any car. In addition, a lighter and lower profile multilink kit with variable air suspension resides under the rear deck, which helps to maximize cargo capacity once the second and optional third row seats are folded flat. By the numbers, cargo space is class leading with 24.3-cubic feet in the five-passenger model, and 16.9-cubic feet behind the third row. Fold both rows forward and you are looking at 60-cubic feet.
A clamshell hood and two-bar hexagonal mesh grille offer the first hint of the Discovery Sport’s pedigree. Halogen and optional Xenon headlamps with daylight LED running lights are inspired by big brother Range Rover for a contemporary look that has some Evoque influence as well. Pulling the wheels out to the corners of the 180.7-inch long vehicle and its 107.9-inch wheelbase give it a planted, secure feeling that aids in handling as well as ride comfort. In addition, a laminated windshield and acoustic tuning around the Discovery Sport helps to keep most of the road and wind noise out, even whilst using studded winter tires.
It’s what’s inside that counts
Taking many of the design elements found in the Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover interior designers have improved on many of the features and, in the process, have actually cleaned up the interior design quite a bit. Loaded with soft-touch material throughout, it presents in a conservative manner, not unlike the country of its roots. Stiff upper lip, indeed.
The eight-inch touchscreen display has been overhauled and features a much more intuitive sense of organization than previously found in JLR products. Incorporating voice controlled satellite navigation, hotspot connectivity and available InControl technology allows the screen to take on the appearance of an owner’s smartphone. It is the centerpiece of the chrome-banded center console, which now frames climate, audio, telephone, and navigation controls.
Riders in the five-passenger versions will find four 12-volt power outlets for smartphones and tablets, while three-row versions include six additional USB ports.
The interior design is the type that manages to look like as though it belongs in a true luxury vehicle but is one that you wouldn’t hesitate to get dirty, if you actually needed to.
Iced excursions
Running through the valleys, across rivers, and up mountainside trails seems like kids’ stuff to the Land Rover Discovery Sport. But then it has been to most anything sporting an LR badge. Our excursions had us beginning before sun-up along icy roads near Reykjavik and the surrounding countryside. Never mind that sunrise occurs at approximately 10:30am, while sunset occurs around 4pm, during winter months.
Armed with the LR’s Terrain Response System we were ready for anything from general road surfaces, to mud and ruts, as well as pure sand. With road conditions changing by the moment from rain to snow, and the occasional patch of black ice, we started in the grass/gravel/snow mode, which offered slower startups and the ability to combat wheel slippage.
While encountering wheel slippage, we were able to deal with what could have potentially been treacherous conditions thanks to the Discovery’s brake-based torque vectoring system and the included Haldex center coupling AWD, which provided front to rear traction through sensors that monitored the situation up to 100 times per second.
You stud, you
Black ice: Able to send an 18-wheeler pirouetting down a highway, it was everywhere gravel wasn’t in Iceland. But thanks to our studded snow tires, we were able to stop in a straight line, even under the most trying of conditions. Conversely, the Terrain Response system’s traction control allowed for a tiny bit of spin before the all-wheel-drive system locked up and sent us hurling on our way. Still, discretion being the better part of valor, we were mindful of the conditions at hand, because it is clearly not good form to return a new vehicle to your hosts with crinkled sheet metal.
Crossing the River Hvitá (White River) displayed Land Rover toughness, and the ability to descend with a 25-degree approach angle and then climb a 45-degree incline, as we dropped off the icy banks on the way to the other side. With a wading depth of almost 24-inches and air intakes located high above its wheel arches, the Discovery Sport lived up to the legacy of its legendary relatives by fording this body of water that displayed currents that could have caused lesser Utes to drift downriver. The Sport was having none of it and quickly ascended the other side.
Leftlane’s bottom line
Land Rover continues its roll with the introduction of the 2015 Discovery Sport. A full utility vehicle with definite sporting pretensions, it is clearly up to the task of following in the footsteps of its legendary forefathers. Land Rover only hopes it can create some legends of its own.
2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport base price, $37,995. Destination fee, $925.
Photos by Mark Elias and courtesy of Land Rover.
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