The 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport is an unusual vehicle. Technically it’s a mid-life facelift of a model launched back in 2015 and which sells at a rate of about 120,000 a year worldwide, with 20% of those finding homes here in the UK. But it’s rare to get a brand new platform underneath a mid-cycle refresh as well.
At first glance, little looks changed. Nose styling tweaks. New tail lamps with the distinctive circular lens replaced by rectangles to more closely match the full-fat Discovery redesigned since little sporty brother came along. Also arriving at the new Premium Transverse Architecture (PTA) platform are new electrified in-house made Ingenium engines (48v mild hybrid), a new interior, new seats and dashboard and some new technology.
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Body panels are barely changed, however. The main thing I noticed, in a side by side comparison with a colleague’s previous model long term tester, was a larger fuel filler flap, the better to house the diesel models’ AdBlue filler now housed in the same location as the main fuel filler. This is something most automakers are doing now, saving the need to ferret around in the boot or under the bonnet for the smaller tank’s filler.
Though it might look identical to the older car, the latest model’s body in white is 10% stiffer and the front subframe is now rigidly mounted to the body and there are new engine mounts. We only managed to sample a single vehicle, a D180 AWD SE, and the handling and ride qualities were excellent while the overall refinement, especially minimising engine noise so that you can’t pick it’s a diesel, was outstanding.
The new PTA platform was designed for electrification and the 48 volt mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) battery does not intrude into passenger or luggage space.
First launched with the recently redesigned Range Rover Evoque, the system uses an engine-mounted belt integrated starter generator to harvest energy normally lost during deceleration and stores it in the under floor battery. MHEV is fitted as standard on vehicles with automatic transmissions.
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By GlobalDataAt speeds below 17km/h (11mph), the engine will shut off when the driver applies the brakes, before redeploying the stored energy to assist the engine under acceleration to reduce fuel consumption.
Available across the range of four-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, the mild hybrid delivers CO2 emissions from as low as 144g/km CO2 (NEDC equivalent) and fuel economy up to 40.9mpg (6.9l/100km) (based on WLTP test procedure).
An even more efficient plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant – using a new three cylinder Ingenium engine variant – will join the range later in 2019.
Land Rover claims this Discovery Sport is one of the first in in its range to offer Real Driving Emissions stage 2 (RDE2) certified engines, ahead of their mandatory introduction in 2020.
Engine choices are all two-litre I4s to start – D150, D180 and D240 diesels and P200 and P250 petrols. All bar the D150 have automatic transmission and all wheel drive.
The most efficient model will be the entry level FWD D150 with manual transmission, with emissions from as low as 140g/km of CO2 and fuel economy from 47.8mpg (5.9l/100km). To maximise efficiency, AWD variants benefit from Driveline Disconnect – a power transfer unit at the front axle that disconnects drive to the rear wheels under steady state cruising, reducing frictional losses and re-engaging AWD in less than 500 milliseconds.
Technology
New tech abounds, as you’d expect. Although it wasn’t fitted to early build media evaluation cars, a ‘smart rearview mirror’ which transforms into a video screen at the flick of a switch to display what is behind the vehicle in crisp high definition is now offered – we’ve tried this on Toyota’s RAV4 and it is a big improvement over a conventional mirror.
Offering a wider (50-degree) field of vision and superior visibility in low light conditions from a camera mounted above the rear window, the mirror ensures rear visibility is not compromised by second and third row passengers or bulky items in the boot. A hydroscopic coating keeps the lens clear in adverse weather.
Although not fitted to preview cars, a great shame in view of the opportunity to test them in some serious offroad conditions at one of LR’s Experience Centres, where every buyer is offered a half-day out in a centre-owned vehicle with professional instructor, Ground View technology has been introduced to help drivers navigate high city centre kerbs or tackle rough terrain by projecting camera imagery that offers a virtual 180-degree view beneath the vehicle onto the touchscreen.
Effectively making the bonnet invisible, this is the realisation of Land Rover’s Transparent Bonnet technology, first previewed in 2014.
Wireless charging for compatible mobile devices is also, optionally, offered for the first time within the lower centre console, while a 4G WiFi hotspot and optional (GBP100 in the UK) USB and 12-volt connectivity points for every row are also available.
Second and third row occupants can also have individual ventilation controls, as before.
For regular drivers, Smart Settings uses artificial intelligence algorithms to learn driver preferences, adjusting massage and seat positions, music and climate settings and steering column positioning to suit each driver.
Off-Road
It’s tempting to dismiss these things as being bought for kerb climbing outside the school or hazardous conditions in the supermarket car park so Land Rover was keen to show the offroad ability was (still) there. We climbed steep, rutted tracks, slithered down a hill with rollers one side intended to simulate a complete loss of traction on one side if the car, tuned right on rocks, raising one rear wheel completely in the air, before descending a steep slope, traversed hillsides at an angle and waded happily through 600mm of river water. With all the correct gizmos turned on to instructor order, especially hill descent control, the Disco Sport demonstrated capabilities few owners will ever use, but could if the need arose. This is still a Land Rover, after all.
In addition to the AWD and automatic transmission options, Terrain Response 2 is now available. This allows drivers to choose from four modes (Comfort, Sand, Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud & Ruts) to optimise performance and capability and new Auto mode enables the vehicle to select the most appropriate mode for the conditions and automatically adjust its torque delivery to suit the terrain. When paired with Adaptive Dynamics, a Dynamic mode also delivers a more enhanced drive experience.
The latest model also comes with a number of additional all terrain technologies pioneered by Land Rover, including that Hill Descent Control and All-Terrain Progress Control standard on AWD models.
Ground clearance is 212mm and approach, departure and breakover angles are 25, 30 and 20 degrees respectively. With AWD models, ascent of gradients up to 45 degrees is possible.
Maximum towing capacity remains 2,500kg but has been enhanced with optional Advanced Tow Assist – a pioneering technology that incorporates semi-autonomous driving technology to allow the driver to concentrate on steering the trailer, while letting the car guide itself.
As the driver uses the touchscreen for visual guidance and one of the lower interface rotary dials to ‘steer’ the trailer, it removes the need to counter steer the vehicle.
A reversing camera is standard on all models, alongside a suite of optional advanced driver assistance systems. This includes optional Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, which centres the vehicle in the lane based on road markings as well as maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Standard safety features include Lane Keep Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Driver Condition Monitor.
Interior
First thing you notice is the pop-up, circular transmission selector dial is gone, replaced by a lever similar to that used in PSA and BMW models. Press a button on the leading edge and pull back to engage drive. Forward for reverse, press P for Park. The electric handbrake operates automatically and the switch has been moved to the right of the steering column – I would prefer it in the centre console.
Touch Pro infotainment is now standard, introducing a new 10.25 inch high definition touchscreen, which allows familiar controls such as swipe and pinch zoom. A hidden until lit lower interface is also available, allowing control of the heating, ventilation and climate system, Terrain Response 2 and Advanced Tow Assist.
This combines with the newly introduced 12.3 inch digital interactive driver display and optional full colour head up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offer full smartphone integration while Click & Go rear seat tablet holders bring additional charging capability for the kids, alongside a 4G WiFi hotspot for up to eight devices, and up to eight USB slots and three 12-volt points throughout the cabin.
The 5+2 seat layout continues but now offers second row 40:20:40 slide and fold, with up to 24 seat combinations. Seats are new and there is increased stowage in the centre console, lower dashboard compartment and doorbins.
There is now the option of front row massage for the first time.
With the ability to slide the second row forwards and back, legroom can be as much as 968mm for second row and 655mm for third row passengers.
Overall small item storage has been increased by 25% (48 litres), thanks in part to a larger central cubby box and redesigned door bins. The new central storage bin has a removable tray with two cup holders and a small net for items such as headphones or chargers. The tray includes a smartphone holder that, alongside a similar space in the base of the storage area, allows devices to be charged by one of the two USB charging sockets inside.
There are new cup holders and repositioned storage spaces for third row passengers.
Boot space is 1,179 litres, increasing to 1,794 litres when the second row seats are folded flat, and a cargo net is standard.
Options
Customers can also a series of packs.
The Driver Assist pack comes with Adaptive Cruise Control with Steer Assist and 360-degree Surround Camera, alongside Blind Spot Assist, High Speed Emergency Braking, Park Assist, 360-degree Parking Aid, Rear Traffic Monitor, Wade Sensing and Clear Exit Monitor.
This can be broken down into the more focused Drive pack which adds Adaptive Cruise Control, High Speed Emergency Braking and Blind Spot Assist or the Park pack which comes with Park Assist, 360-degree Parking Aid, Rear Traffic Monitor and Clear Exit Monitor.
The Discovery Sport can also be fitted with cabin air ionisation technology.
Even though I drive relatively few cars a year, I have always remembered the original 2015 Discovery Sport, reviewed in 2015 before the Ingenium engines were introduced, as a favourite. It was also a smash hit with The Family who loved the seven-seat layout. It was just so nice to drive, practical for everyday use and well thought-out. The 2020 update brings many useful improvements and adds the latest technology and MHEV electrification, with PHEV soon to come. It retains all the likeable characteristics of the original, adds detail enhancements and should continue to be a success.
