Land Rover Discovery Sport D180 R-Dynamic

Land Rover used to be a rough and rugged brand, but cars like the Land Rover Discovery Sport that are for sale today are a far cry from their rugged ancestors. In fact, think of the Discovery Sport as a more practical alternative to the luxury Range Rover Evoque and you won't be disappointed.

The Discovery Sport replaced the Freelander in the Land Rover range in 2014. Initially it came with the Freelander's engines, but a switch to JLR's latest Ingenium petrol and diesel units soon after launch gave the Discovery Sport a boost. 2019 brought a significant update to the range.

Though classed as a facelift, the changes under the skin were exhaustive: the platform was strengthened and it was adapted to accommodate electrified drivetrains – both mild hybrid and, eventually, plug-in variants.

The exterior styling inside and out remained familiar, but subtle nips and tucks worked to create a more modern appearance overall. Inside, this took the form of a much improved suite of tech: the infotainment system was improved, the climate functions became slicker and some models gained the option of a digital instrument cluster.

The seven-seat layout remained, giving Land Rover something unique in the Premium SUV class. It's priced at a level that puts it up against the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, while the Jaguar F-Pace, Volvo XC60 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio are also opponents, although none of these cars offer seven seats. If that's a requirement, then you should have a look at the Skoda Kodiaq, VW Tiguan Allspace and SEAT Tarraco, while the Honda CR-V and Nissan X-Trail also offer seven-seats as an option. These cars are also cheaper to buy, too.

One area where the Land Rover Discovery Sport exceeds its rivals is its off-road ability. Cars with four-wheel drive feature Terrain Response, which adjusts the gears and traction control to suit different off-road conditions.