New Land Rover Discovery Sport – Top features

Discovery Sport gets a much-needed refresh for 2020. It has taken on some new aesthetics while carrying over traditional design cues. However, one of the most noteworthy changes in this model is inside. The third-row seats have been removed in favor of larger cargo space, though you can still have it installed by request.

Locally, there are two trim levels available – Discovery Sport and Discovery Sport R-Dynamic. Each trim is then offered in four variants, namely: S, SE, HSE, and the core models. You get to choose from nine different engines running on either 6-speed manual transmission with front-wheel drive or 9-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. Depending on your selected engine, it can deliver anywhere from 150 to 249 hp and 320 to 500 Nm of torque. 

Coventry Motors launched the Discovery Sport in Q4 2019. Based on the announcement, it has a starting price of Php 4,490,000. Below is a closer look at the top features of Land Rover’s best-selling SUV.

Large cargo space

The outgoing model had a default cargo space of about 280 litres. With third-row seats gone, Discovery Sport now has 780 litres of cargo space as a standard. Folding down the second-row seats further expands it to 1574 litres, which is quite impressive for a compact SUV.

Intelligent seating

One of our favorite highlights on Discovery Sport is its customizable seats. When you purchase the vehicle, you can choose from a 5-seat configuration or the conventional 5+2 seating – although the latter will reduce your standard boot space to 115 litres. 

The seats are also motorized. You can fold one seat at a time to make room for additional cargo without sacrificing more seats than what is needed. Accessible controls on the infotainment system and rear-C pillars let you easily adjust the seats, but you can also use a downloadable app on your smartphone to fold them down.

Comfortable and luxurious cabin

Smart features aside, Land Rover Discovery Sport has a comfy and plush interior. The driver and front passenger get adequate back and neck support thanks to the moveable headrests and adjustable seats. The memory foam on higher trims provides better comfort. 

Second-row seats have adequate headspace and shoulder room. There’s even enough space to stretch your legs! The 60:40 seats also recline so rear passengers can relax during long trips. S, SE, and HSE variants come with leather upholstery and several upmarket details as standard. But only Discovery Sport R-Dynamic gets additional touches like contrasting Mars Red seat stitching and Ebony leather headlining.

Enhanced driving experience

The all-new Discovery Sport is equipped with a slew of features to assist the driver on the road. A rear-view camera is a standard across all variants, which can be useful when parking or backing up. Models with all-wheel drive also get hill descent and all-terrain progress control.

The ClearSight rearview mirror on HSE models provides an unobstructed view of the back. Other features that can help with driving include blind control assist, lane keep assist, emergency brake assist, and front and rear parking aid. SE and HSE variants get a 12-inch interactive driver display behind the steering wheel. It shows important driver and safety information while giving you quick access to your phone and audio system.

Discovery Sport also has a navigation system that monitors traffic and helps you plan your route before heading to your destination.

Smart entertainment

The 2020 Discovery Sport now boasts a 10-inch Touch Pro display on all trims. It is hooked to six speakers on most models, except for the HSE variant which has 10 speakers and a Meridian audio system with surround sound. However, Touch Pro can do more than play your favorite tracks and movies.

It includes a Smartphone Pack so you can view and control your smartphone’s apps on the screen. Installing a 4G micro sim lets you take advantage of the Online Pack which passengers can use to go online and stream music. It also allows you to pull weather data, track flights, and get the latest news and sports updates.

Touch Pro has smart settings that predict your preferences when it comes to seating, music, and climate control. It can do a lot of nifty things like pre-heat your steering wheel during cold rainy weathers, though you can also pre-heat the cabin remotely with a smartphone.

An engine for every driver

Land Rover lets you build your own Discovery Sport, which includes being able to choose from 9 different engines based on your usage or preference.

If you’re after fuel efficiency and torque, you can’t go wrong with diesel-running variants. But if you want faster acceleration and greater power output, then you may want to go for gas-running models.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more balanced Discovery Sport that you can take out for both city drives and off-road driving, you can opt for MHEV engines. These hybrids can crank out a significant amount of power and torque without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

For reference, here are the engine specifications of Land Rover Discovery Sport:

Engine	Fuel	Drivetrain & Transmission	Acceleration	Maximum power	Peak torque	Combined fuel efficiency
D150 2.0L	Diesel	FWD 6-speed MT	194 kmph	150 hp	380 Nm	18.18 to 18.87 kmpl
D150 2.0L		AWD 9-speed AT	190 kmph	150 hp	380 Nm	17.24 to 17.86 kmpl
D150 2.0L MHEV				150 hp	380 Nm	17.86 to 18.18 kmpl
D180 2.0L			202 kmph	180 hp	430 Nm	16.95 to 17.24 kmpl
D180 2.0L MHEV				180 hp	430 Nm	17.54 to 17.86 kmpl
D240 2.0L MHEV			220 kmph	240 hp	500 Nm	15.63 to 16.13 kmpl
P200 2.0L	Gasoline		207 kmph	200 hp	320 Nm	12.5 to 12.66 kmpl
P200 2.0L MHEV				200 hp	320 Nm	12.66 to 12.82 kmpl
P250 2.0L			225 kmph	249 hp	365 Nm	12.2 to 12.5 kmpl
P250 2.0L MHEV				249 hp	365 Nm	12.5 to 12.66 kmpl

Advanced safety features

You can sleep easy knowing that the ‘highest standards of safety’ have been included in this compact SUV. Land Rover vehicles have earned the coveted 5-star Euro NCAP rating, and the Discovery Sport is no exception. The vehicle is also protected against theft. In case it gets stolen, Secure Tracker can help you locate it. 

Based on the Discovery Sport specs sheet, you should find these safety features:

• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Electronic brake force distribution (EBD)
• Seven airbags spread throughout the vehicle
• Front and rear ISOFIX seatbelts
• Adaptive cruise control with speed limiter
• High-speed emergency braking
• Roll stability control
• Emergency brake assist

Land Rover did right with the new Discovery Sport. They’ve brought in elements that merely improve the stylish exterior of the outgoing model, and instead focused on more important changes – both inside and under the hood. Old buyers who are planning to upgrade won’t feel estranged to the refreshed model as it has that familiar design they’ve come to love. But everyone can look forward to the top features of Discovery Sport.

Also read: 2020 Land Rover Defender – What to expect