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Efficient new engine opens Discovery Sport to more business buyers

Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover Discovery Sport - click for more

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14 March 2016

Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4 HSE Luxury:

What is it?

Land Rover’s Discovery Sport compact SUV, fitted with the 178bhp version of the new 2.0-litre ‘Ingenium’ TD4 diesel engine.

What’s hot?

  • That new 178bhp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which although not as smooth as the smaller 160bhp version tried in the Jaguar XE, in the Discovery this engine is willing and torquey (430Nm).
  • Acceleration to 60mph takes just 8.4 seconds and the top speed is 117mph. However the figures that are going to be most interesting to business buyers are the 53mpg consumption, plus the 139g/km emissions. This puts this car into tax band E and equals a 25% charge. This engine is well-mated to the nine-speed automatic transmission too.
Land Rover Discovery
Extensive standard kit
  • The Discovery Sport drives really well and the first thing you’ll notice is the precise steering that feels more like a sports car than an SUV. Not as sporty to drive as its smaller brother – the Evoque. However, even on the optional 18-inch wheels of our test car, body roll in corners is modest and the ride comfortable.
  • Our test car in HSE Luxury trim is costly at £47,475, but the standard kit list is extensive and has power-adjusted, heated and leather-trimmed seats, Bluetooth, heated leather steering wheel, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and the latest eight-inch touch-screen infotainment system with DAB radio and sat-nav.
  • That touch-screen infotainment system is a big step forward over the previous system, the sat-nav in particular has clearer mapping and is easier to navigate – although it still seems as slow to operate.

What’s not?

  • The Disco Sport’s steering might be precise, but it’s lacking in feel – which kind of spoils the fun a bit!
  • We’re not a fan of the bland, same-again Evoque-like exterior and interior styling of the Discovery Sport.
  • Adults will only want to sit in the third row of rear seats for short distances as space is tight! Go for the lower-powered 150bhp version of this new Ingenium diesel engine and you can’t even have the extra practicality of this set of seats in the boot!
  • Those 20-inch alloys might look smart, but they do unsettle the ride.
  • Cheaper SE Tech and HSE trims are probably better suited to business buyers.

Verdict:

We’re not impressed with the bland exterior and interior styling of the Land Rover Discovery Sport, but there’s no doubt it’s a high quality, great to drive alternative to an SUV – even if it’s costly in tested HSE Luxury trim.

However, with the fitment of the latest Ingenium diesel engine, how does it compare to key rival – the BMW X3? Closest model is the X Drive 35d M Sport and the BMW gets off to a good start being cheaper by over £1,500 and is also much more powerful.

However, for an SME the emissions and tax band are going to be key and this where the Land Rover makes more sense with 139g/km and a 25% charge versus the BMW X3’s higher 29% charge and 157g/km emissions.

Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4 HSE Luxury review

The Low Down…..

 

Doors and body style Five-door SUV
Engine/gearbox: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol/Nine-speed automatic
CO2 Emissions:  139g/km
Economy:  58.9mpg
Power/torque:  180PS/ 430Nm
0-62mph/top speed:   8.4 secs/ 117mph
Insurance group:  43

…..and what it costs

 

P11D Value £ 42,815
Monthly business rental (ex VAT) From n/a (3yrs/30,000 miles)
Road tax (VED) £130 first year
Company Car Tax Bands 2015/16 to 2016/18  25%, 27%, 29%
Benefit in kind 2015/16, 2016/17 to 2017/18  £10,704, £11,560, £12,416
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%)  £1,105/£92
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%) £2,210/£184
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%) £2.141/£178
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%) £4,282/£357
Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover Discovery Sport with optional 18-inch alloy wheels

 

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