Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport SE

[Autos_Editor]

Range Rover lite.
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[Rupert]

Other versions of Rover aside, this one looks anonymous somehow and might be an offering from other companies offering less refined machinery. Not that it does not look very nice...it does, but not Roverish somehow. Anyway, being less capable over rough terrain, is not important here for 99% of owners...I opine. As long as the price is right for what you get. It has to beat out other vehicles of equal reduced capability.

[theonlydt]

Wait for the new JLR 2.0 gasoline (Ingenium) - predicted to have much superior fuel economy.

[bluelines]

I know it is silly given how little use these systems get in the real world, but I still can't get over a Land Rover that isn't a true off-road vehicle with a low range transmission, etc., and which uses essentially the same platform as the Volvo S80. I'd get a used LR4 instead.

[Jaeger]

I agree with Rupert -  this is a rolling example of generic CUV. Debadge it and I'd probably go through several guesses before I landed on Land Rover.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Me Mum has had one of these for 9 months now.

I can report that in the time she's had it it's been so far perfect, with no single problem.  Therefore Initial Quality seems quite good.  It remains to be seen how the Baby Disco will hold up over the next few years. 

I can say that the inside is quite a nice place to be.  The materials are all top notch (real aluminum/magnesium trim, tons of soft touch plastic, and lots of real leather). 

I would argue that this part of the article is wrong:

With a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, top gear brings engine revs down to about 2,000 rpm at 100 km/h, thereby reducing engine noise and minimizing fuel consumption.

It has been quite well documented that the ZF 9-Spd transmission doesn't reach top gear until about 130km/h or so.  At 100km/h it's probably cruising in 7th gear. 

Interestingly, because of the ultra-low ratio 1st gear, the Discovery will start in 2nd gear during most city driving conditions.

[mixmanmash]

I know it is silly given how little use these systems get in the real world, but I still can't get over a Land Rover that isn't a true off-road vehicle with a low range transmission, etc., and which uses essentially the same platform as the Volvo S80. I'd get a used LR4 instead.

The LR4 is a completely different size category to this Disco Sport which is essentially replacing the LR2.  Think Ford Escape vs. Ford Explorer for the size difference.

[Fobroader]

I know it is silly given how little use these systems get in the real world, but I still can't get over a Land Rover that isn't a true off-road vehicle with a low range transmission, etc., and which uses essentially the same platform as the Volvo S80. I'd get a used LR4 instead.

This is a CR-V/Rav4/Ford Escape with a fancy badge....this isn't the LR4

[carcrazed]

I know it is silly given how little use these systems get in the real world, but I still can't get over a Land Rover that isn't a true off-road vehicle with a low range transmission, etc., and which uses essentially the same platform as the Volvo S80. I'd get a used LR4 instead.

This is a CR-V/Rav4/Ford Escape with a fancy badge....this isn't the LR4

I hope no one in their right mind would think this is related to LR4 in any way. 
HSE seems to be a better 'deal' than the SE with all those options.   I don't like how the sunroof is fixed and can't even be 'vented'.

[GTABeancounter]

Unless I missed it I'm surprised there has been no mention of the F-Pace. Our family looked at both the Discovery & F-Pace extensively at the Toronto auto show in February and aside from the 5+2 seating option it was difficult to find any area where the Discovery held an edge.

Admittedly, we'd probably give the Discovery more consideration if it offered the 2.0 JLR Diesel (sounds like it may offer the oil burner one day??). The ability to seat a couple extra passengers in a pinch is great for us having 2 relatively young kids who'd fit in the back just fine. Otherwise the F-pace is the clear winner to us.

The F-Pace just seemed way better sorted. Smaller looking from the outside but with an arguably more comfortable 2nd row and more usable cargo space. We haven't driven either vehicle but the F-Pace reviews I've read are overwhelmingly positive. The interior of the Jag also felt much more upscale. 

[mixmanmash]

Unless I missed it I'm surprised there has been no mention of the F-Pace. Our family looked at both the Discovery & F-Pace extensively at the Toronto auto show in February and aside from the 5+2 seating option it was difficult to find any area where the Discovery held an edge.

Admittedly, we'd probably give the Discovery more consideration if it offered the 2.0 JLR Diesel (sounds like it may offer the oil burner one day??). The ability to seat a couple extra passengers in a pinch is great for us having 2 relatively young kids who'd fit in the back just fine. Otherwise the F-pace is the clear winner to us.

The F-Pace just seemed way better sorted. Smaller looking from the outside but with an arguably more comfortable 2nd row and more usable cargo space. We haven't driven either vehicle but the F-Pace reviews I've read are overwhelmingly positive. The interior of the Jag also felt much more upscale.

I agree.  I really liked the F-Pace when I saw it at the Edmonton Motor show.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I know it is silly given how little use these systems get in the real world, but I still can't get over a Land Rover that isn't a true off-road vehicle with a low range transmission, etc., and which uses essentially the same platform as the Volvo S80. I'd get a used LR4 instead.

This is a CR-V/Rav4/Ford Escape with a fancy badge....this isn't the LR4

I hope no one in their right mind would think this is related to LR4 in any way. 
HSE seems to be a better 'deal' than the SE with all those options.   I don't like how the sunroof is fixed and can't even be 'vented'.

No one in their right mind would be seriously considering Land Rover in the first place. 

[Fobroader]

I know it is silly given how little use these systems get in the real world, but I still can't get over a Land Rover that isn't a true off-road vehicle with a low range transmission, etc., and which uses essentially the same platform as the Volvo S80. I'd get a used LR4 instead.

This is a CR-V/Rav4/Ford Escape with a fancy badge....this isn't the LR4

I hope no one in their right mind would think this is related to LR4 in any way. 
HSE seems to be a better 'deal' than the SE with all those options.   I don't like how the sunroof is fixed and can't even be 'vented'.

No one in their right mind would be seriously considering Land Rover in the first place. 

[lebowski]

Shortcomings aside, this is a seriously good-looking trucklet IMHO, and that's gotta be worth something in this segment. In particular, it's the forward-canted, body-colour C-pillar and the beltline that doesn't suck (see: Evoque)

[aquadorhj]

Shortcomings aside, this is a seriously good-looking trucklet IMHO, and that's gotta be worth something in this segment. In particular, it's the forward-canted, body-colour C-pillar and the beltline that doesn't suck (see: Evoque)

i'm not sure about "seriously good looking".

i've seen these in town, and they are very non-descript, not distinctive looking.     yes, they look clean and svelt (smaller looking than many compact CUVs) but good looking?..

[lebowski]

i'm not sure about "seriously good looking".

i've seen these in town, and they are very non-descript, not distinctive looking.     yes, they look clean and svelt (smaller looking than many compact CUVs) but good looking?..

What can i tell ya, there's no accounting for taste (in this case, my own  ). I should specify though, it helps when it's in a lighter colour with darker wheels - so that C-pillar can pop.

http://live.landrover-me.com/files/2014/09/LandRover_DiscoverySport_Static_02.1-960x574.jpg

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Looks good in White with the Blackout Package (replaces chrome body colour trim with black painted bits, black roof, dark tint, dark wheels). 

[lebowski]

Yup - very nice indeed. Though to my eye the silver or grey looks even better 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

When my mom bought hers last fall, she was initially looking at a 2016 Disco Sport HSE in Blue, with some options.  It was a little more money than she wanted to spend though, so the salesman pointed her to a 2015 HSE in white with the blackout package and other options that had plenty of money on the hood (like $10k's worth).  I think it was the right choice, as it looks great.  My parents live in a yuppie neighbourhood here in Winnipeg, and her Disco Sport definitely stands out a little among the plethora of GC's, X3's and Q3's. 

[lebowski]

Nice! Sounds like she got a heckuva deal - and agree these cars definitely stand out.