10 Things you Have to Know About the Land Rover Discovery Sport Before you buy it

Discovery is making a re-branding scheme, and it seems to have worked so far. The Discovery Sport, billed as the new Freelander, uses the same operational gear as their Range Rover Evoque. Even to the best of us, this is a little confusing. However, it seems to work. It offers better looks than a regular Discovery, while still providing reliable Land Rover parts beneath the bonnet.

Is it really for you, though? Before you go out and purchase one of these vehicles, you need to know what you’re in for. Here is a bit of information that may sway you in one way or another to consider the Discovery Sport as the next option for you.

What to Know About the Discovery Sport

• The Uptight Look is Gone- If you’ve shied away from buying the LR2 because it seems to be the most popular ride for murderers in every television show, have no fear. This car has style. While it takes several cues from the Evoque, it doesn’t exactly mimic it completely. This is especially true when it comes to the cramped roofline the Evoque is known for. The Discovery Sport offers so much headroom that Michelangelo might be tempted to paint the ceiling of it. At the front of the vehicle is a clamshell hood, of course, and LED lighting can be found throughout the new SUV.

• Four-Cylinder Power- Despite the fact that the outside has been completely changed to create a softer, more elegant look, the Land Rover parts beneath the bonnet are the same as the 2014 LR2. The Sport uses a four-cylinder engine that is 2.0-litre turbocharged. This lets it stay below 2,000 RPM while providing 240 horsepower. The end result is an SUV that feels like it is ready to go anywhere from a full stop, but is still able to produce some high speeds on the motorway.

• New Transmission- Not all Land Rover parts are the same as the LR2. A new transmission is featured in the Sport, with nine forward speeds. It is designed for better efficiency and performance and also provides the option of a second-gear-start system to reduce the amount of fuel you consume when driving about town. Of course you can still access first gear manually. You also have the option of skipping cogs when moving from one gear to another.

• It’s Luxury With a Twist- The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a luxury car, but that doesn’t mean it can’t offer the same off-road entertainment as any other Land Rover. It features a Terrain Response system and all-wheel drive system that lets it compete with the best of them off road. The Terrain Response system is able to change the throttle and settings in the transmission to adjust to whatever surface you’re attempting to drive on. The car itself has the ability to drive up a 45-degree grade without breaking a sweat.

• Room for the Family- If you avoided buying the LR2 simply because there weren’t enough seating option for everyone in your family, the Discovery Sport may have solved all of your problems. With an optional third row of seating, this car can fit up to seven individuals at once. The driver and front passenger seats are also uniquely designed to be situated slightly lower than the third row of optional seats. This gives passengers in the third row more visibility to what is happening in front of them.

• It’s Big- From the exterior to the leg room, the Discovery Sport is a much bigger car than the LR2. You’ll notice the difference in the comfort level.

• It Compromises Between Practicality and Luxury- This is because it was designed to encourage new drivers to think about Land Rover as the car company for them. The manufacturer understood that new buyers don’t want to be overwhelmed with luxury that they might not be able to afford, but at the same time, they don’t want the practical aspect of the vehicle to take away from its design. The Sport strikes a balance with simple lines, leather, soft plastics and plenty of technology. The design is focused on making the space usable, but also providing plenty of updated features, like mobile device integration.

• You can get Personal- That’s right, there are plenty of options available for you to personalise your new Sport if you want to. From various roof colours to iPad holders, the choices are almost endless. A centre console that is capable of cooling and heating food is even an option. Of course, all of these are going to cost extra.

• Safety and Land Rover Parts- Land Rover is known for offering safe and reliable vehicles, and it doesn’t disappoint when it comes the Discovery Sport. There are plenty of car parts and equipment that keep you secure within the cabin, including lane departure warning, digital-capture system and automatic brakes. Even if you happen to miss a road sign while driving, the car will read them for you and report back what it has learned. It will stop you from accidentally hitting something or someone and even warn you if you are drifting too far over in your own lane.

• It’s Affordable- With an MSRP starting at #37,995, the Discovery sport is less expensive than many of its rivals, like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 xDrive28i and Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4MATIC. It may not have the same level of sportiness as the BMW or the luxury of the Mercedes-Benz, but its balance between the two is something none of its competitor can offer. This makes it a car perfect for individuals who want to use the car for both fun with the family and off-road adventures with the mates. Keep in mind, of course, that the MSRP is simply the starting cost of the car. If you opt for additional Land Rover parts, safety features and technology, the total price will well exceed what is listed.

Looking for a new car? There are several benefits to choosing the Discovery Sport as your next option. Is it the right car for you?