Editor's Overview
The luxury brand’s most affordable model, the 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a stylish, comfortable and off-road-capable compact SUV.
Pricing
Cars For Sale
KBB.com Expert Review
You'll Like This Car If...
Land Rover’s 2018 Discovery Sport uniquely blends a handsome design, an opulent interior and luxurious appointments with the authentic rugged off-road capability the British brand is known for. It also offers one of the only 3rd-row seats in the segment, and its low starting price undercuts many of its competitors.
You May Not Like This Car If...
Unlike some other Land Rover SUVs, the new 2018 Discovery Sport is not available with a diesel engine. There’s no hybrid model either. Also, some buyers may be disappointed in the firm ride provided by the Discovery Sport’s off-road-capable suspension.
What's New for 2018
For 2018, the new Land Rover Discovery Sport gets two new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines with as much as 286 horsepower, which is a significant increase over last year’s model. For the first time Land Rover has made a 12-way-power driver’s seat available, and Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Monitor are now stand-alone options. Onboard Wi-Fi has also been upgraded to 4G.
Gallery
Specs
Fuel Economy
Performance
Seating Capacity
Cargo/Interior Space
Basic Warranty
Safety Ratings
Class Rankings
How does it compare?
| RANK | VEHICLE | HP |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2018 Chevrolet Traverse | 305 |
| #2 | 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 295 |
| #3 | 2018 Toyota Highlander | 295 |
| #4 | 2018 Dodge Durango | 293 |
| #29 | 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport | 237 |
| RANK | VEHICLE | MPG |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2019 MINI Countryman | 65 |
| #2 | 2018 Lexus NX | 31 |
| #3 | 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 29 |
| #4 | 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe | 27 |
| #27 | 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport | 22 |
| RANK | VEHICLE | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2019 INFINITI QX50 | 10 |
| #2 | 2018 Audi Q3 | 9.8 |
| #3 | 2018 Mazda CX-9 | 9.7 |
| #4 | 2018 Chevrolet Traverse | 9.6 |
| #31 | 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport | 6.9 |
Consumer Reviews
Based on 7 ratings for the 2015 - 2018 models.
Rocket
November 14, 2016
Unmatched suspention and ride.
Purchased this SUV for the wife to drive safely in Europe. Handles safely in rainy conditions. Looking forward to how it will handle the...
BUCK
September 11, 2017
SO FAR VERY GOOD VEHICLE
ONLY HAD OUR VEHICLE A SHORT TIME, REALLY ENJOY IT. THE IN CONTROL APPS ARE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT AND DOWNLOAD. OUR VEHICLE...
Dave
July 06, 2017
Shines above competition in class
ExampleIve owned this car not quite a year now. I bought it replacing a totaled Nissan. This was a dealer car with 4500 miles, so they...
Jackbauer24
September 28, 2016
Very smooth driving
Sleek design ,aero dynamic design, fast acceleration and excellent brakes.interior comfort.
2016 LR Discovery Sport
April 10, 2016
2016 LR Discovery Sport
This is my 10th car, it's drive smooth have good off road compatibility, most stylish and desirable SUVs on the road, but this falls...
neali
May 29, 2018
Least reliable car I have ever owned AKA: A Lemon
I purchased this car brand new in February, 2018. It has an issue with the computer/transmission (or so they think). I am told it is a...
Raining in Washington
December 03, 2016
Low Quality Craftsmanship
Been to the dealer to many times to count. After four months the vehicle check engine light came on; injectors had to be replace and...
Similar Vehicles
KBB Editor's Overview
A stylish, comfortable and off-road-capable compact SUV, the popular 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport is also the luxury brand’s most affordable model. Prices start well below $40,000 for a Discovery Sport SE with a 237-horsepower turbocharged engine and Land Rover’s advanced all-wheel-drive Terrain Response system. A small kid-friendly third row is also offered, which is unusual for the class. Competitors include the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Lexus NX. But, unlike these worthy rivals, the Discovery Sport SUV isn’t just about an opulent interior and advanced safety and entertainment options. Land Rover’s Discovery Sport can actually conquer some serious off-road obstacles. Buyers can also step up to a 286-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which is available on the HSE and top Luxury HSE trim levels. Both engines work with a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission.
You'll Like This SUV If...
Land Rover’s 2018 Discovery Sport uniquely blends a handsome design, an opulent interior and luxurious appointments with the authentic rugged off-road capability the British brand is known for. It also offers one of the only 3rd-row seats in the segment, and its low starting price undercuts many of its competitors.
You May Not Like This SUV If...
Unlike some other Land Rover SUVs, the new 2018 Discovery Sport is not available with a diesel engine. There’s no hybrid model either. Also, some buyers may be disappointed in the firm ride provided by the Discovery Sport’s off-road-capable suspension.
What's New for 2018
For 2018, the new Land Rover Discovery Sport gets two new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines with as much as 286 horsepower, which is a significant increase over last year’s model. For the first time Land Rover has made a 12-way-power driver’s seat available, and Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Monitor are now stand-alone options. Onboard Wi-Fi has also been upgraded to 4G.
Driving It
Driving Impressions
The 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport possesses all the luxury credentials expected of a $40,000 SUV. The cabin isolates wind and road noise efficiently enough to allow for normal conversation at highway speeds, and the ride is rather firm, although not jarringly so. For the driver, there is good visibility in all areas save for the rear quarters, which have small side glass and big blind spots. The Discovery Sport’s new 237-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is smooth and powerful. Acceleration is brisk enough for most buyers and the 9-speed automatic is a good match for the 4-cylinder engine. The more powerful 286-horsepower engine adds serious muscle. With that engine 0-60 mph takes just 6.3 seconds. Most of the Discovery Sport’s competition can’t come close to its capability off-road, thanks to its ground clearance, suspension travel and Land Rover’s all-wheel drive and Terrain Response system with various settings for Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts and Sand.
Favorite Features
SURROUND CAMERA SYSTEM
Optional on the HSE model, but standard on the top HSE Luxury trim level, the Surround Camera System is like a rearview camera on steroids. Four cameras mounted around the SUV provide an overhead 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the Discovery Sport and its surroundings. It makes parking and maneuvering the SUV in tight spaces much easier.
EMERGENCY BRAKING
This optional system is part of the Driver Assist Plus Package. It provides autonomous emergency braking when necessary if the system detects a forward collision is about to take place. First it will warn the driver of the danger, but if action is not taken the Land Rover will apply the brakes for the driver.
Vehicle Details
Interior
The Discovery Sport's interior offers the same blend of off-road utility and luxury-brand plushness the rest of the SUV delivers. The efficient, blocky theme feels right in line with off-road adventuring, but the deep-dish seating, 8-way-power front seats, and leather upholstery (leather and cloth on SE versions) remind you this is a luxury SUV. We’re also fans of its unique rotary shifter and the SUV’s 8-inch touch screen and intuitive infotainment system. The raised 2nd-row seats slide and recline, and will easily accommodate 6-foot-4 occupants, and the smart interior packaging gives it more usable cargo space than its larger BMW X3 and Audi Q5 rivals. The optional third row is small but useful for small children.
Exterior
The new Land Rover Discovery Sport is not the luxury brand’s smallest SUV. The Discovery Sport is about 10 inches longer than the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. It is shorter than competitors, however, but it's also wider, giving it an edge when it comes to stability. It shares much of its attractive shape with the larger and more expensive Land Rover Discovery, including its steeply sloped windshield and body-color C-pillar, which looks like a bladed weapon. The Discovery Sport’s short overhangs front and rear give it generous approach and departure angles -- that means it can tackle steep slopes without scraping -- and it can even ford streams up to 23.6 inches deep.
Notable Standard Equipment
For a luxury SUV starting under $40,000, the 2018 Discovery Sport SE comes nicely equipped. All-wheel drive is standard, as is the Terrain Response System which has settings for different conditions like snow and sand, Hill Descent Control, push-button start, partial leather seating, power-adjustable front seats, USB media and charging ports in the first row, plus two 2nd-row USB charging ports. A 10-speaker audio/infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen and Bluetooth connectivity is also standard. If you want full leather seating and the panoramic sunroof, you'll have to move up one trim level to the Discovery Sport HSE.
Notable Optional Equipment
Stand-alone options and packages are available for the Discovery Sport SE, HSE and HSE Luxury and include keyless entry and heated front and rear seats on the SE model, plus smart safety features like automatic traffic detection, high-beam assist, surround-camera system, adaptive headlights and emergency braking on the HSE and HSE Luxury versions. The HSE and Luxury trims can come with a heated steering wheel and windshield, head-up display, upgraded audio and adaptive suspension. A 12-way-power driver’s seat is now available, and Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Monitor are stand-alone options. A Meridian audio upgrade and Touch Pro navigation system are also offered.
Under the Hood
For 2018, the new Land Rover Discovery Sport gets a pair of new engines and they’re both a big improvement over engines in last year’s model. All three trim levels are offered with a 237-horsepower version of the new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which is smoother and more responsive than last year’s engine. Buyers wanting more power can upgrade to a 286-horsepower version in the top trim levels for about $7,000. Interestingly, both engines get essentially the same fuel mileage but the more powerful engine shaves nearly a full second off the SUV’s 0-60-mph acceleration time. All Discovery Sports get a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission and a Haldex all-wheel-drive system, which seamlessly varies the power between the front and rear tires that have the most grip.
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
237 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
251 lb-ft of torque @ 1,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/25 mpg
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
286 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/25 mpg
Pricing Notes
The 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport is the least expensive Land Rover model available, with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $38,800 including the $995 destination charge. We suggest the more lavishly equipped Discovery Sport HSE, which starts at a still reasonable $43,900. If you want all the bells and whistles, head for the $47,790 Discovery Sport HSE Luxury. Once you've added in all the various options, including the more powerful engine, you're looking at a price tag well north of $60,000. We still recommend the HSE first for the longest-lasting satisfaction, though the SE model will also earn your pride. And the standard 237-horsepower engine is enough for most buyers. For a closer look at what folks in your area paid for the new Discovery Sport, check out the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price. At resale time, the Audi Q5 is a little better, while the BMW X3 slots well below.
