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The Land Rover Discovery Sport occupies a fascinating niche within the brand’s lineup. Originally christened the Freelander, it transitioned into the Discovery Sport, aiming to capture the essence of Land Rover’s adventurous spirit in a more compact and accessible package. The Freelander itself deserves a round of applause for its robust platform — a testament to Land Rover engineering that has gone on to become a very successful foundation for its parent company, Tata Motors. Even today, the Freelander platform underpins several Tata Motors SUVs, a true mark of its strength and versatility.

So, the Discovery Sport inherits not just the name change from its predecessor, but also its solid underpinnings. This lineage ensures the Discovery Sport carries the Land Rover DNA within its core, offering the brand’s legendary off-road capability and luxurious touches in a more affordable package. However, Land Rover’s undeniable association with the luxurious Range Rover has, at times, overshadowed the Discovery Sport’s potential. This is a car that deserves far more attention — a capable and versatile SUV packed with features, offered at a competitive price point. Let’s delve deeper and explore why Discovery Sport shouldn’t be flying under the radar anymore. We’ll uncover the hidden gem within the Land Rover family, a perfect blend of practicality, affordability, and Land Rover’s unwavering commitment to adventure.

Land Rover Discovery Sport gets a minimalist design with a few rugged bits to give it some off–road cred. Gone are the days of overly complex lines and excessive chrome; the Discovery Sport embraces a clean and contemporary aesthetic. The overall silhouette is sleek and aerodynamic, hinting at the car’s capability without appearing overly bulky.

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Up front, a redesigned grille showcases Land Rover’s signature bold look, yet with a touch of modern refinement. The horizontal slats are streamlined, and the use of black accents adds a touch of sophistication. The headlights, now sporting sleek LED units, flank the grille on either side. These new lamps not only enhance visibility but also contribute to Discovery Sport’s sharp and modern presence.

Moving along to the side profile, the Discovery Sport’s inherent muscularity becomes evident. The sculpted fenders hint at its off-road prowess, while the rising beltline adds a touch of dynamism. The Discovery Sport retains the practicality of its predecessor with a generous ground clearance, allowing it to tackle uneven terrain with confidence. Land Rover offers a variety of stylish wheel options, with larger sizes on higher trims further emphasising the car’s bold stance.

The minimalist design philosophy extends to the rear of the Discovery Sport. The taillights, redesigned with clean lines and LED technology, echo the sharp design language at the front. The tailgate is sculpted for easy access to the cargo area, and a subtle roof spoiler adds a touch of sporty flair.

The interior of the Land Rover Discovery Sport reflects a commitment to modern technology but with a caveat. As you step inside, you’re greeted by a redesigned cabin dominated by a large, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreen. This high-resolution display serves as the central hub for controlling a multitude of functions, from navigation and music to climate settings and even off-road drive modes. Mobile connectivity ensures seamless integration with your smartphone, keeping you connected and entertained on the go.

However, the Discovery Sport falls victim to a trend plaguing some Land Rover models — the overreliance on touchscreen controls. Many physical buttons that were once readily accessible on the centre console have been sacrificed in favour of a minimalist aesthetic. This can lead to frustration, as basic functions might now require navigating through two or three menus on the touchscreen. While the Pivi Pro system itself is likely intuitive, it can be distracting to constantly reach for the screen while driving.

Land Rover does attempt to mitigate this somewhat with the inclusion of a new  digital instrument cluster that can display essential driving information. Additionally, a new gear selector adds a touch of modernity to the cabin.

Despite the touchscreen concerns, the Discovery Sport boasts some truly impressive features. Passengers in the third row will appreciate the dedicated climate control system, ensuring everyone stays comfortable on long journeys. A 3D surround-view camera offers a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings, making parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces a breeze.

One of Discovery Sport’s key strengths remains its versatility. The inclusion of three rows of seating makes it a compelling option for families who require maximum passenger space. While the third row might be best suited for  occasional use or smaller passengers, the second-row seating provides ample legroom and headroom for comfortable journeys.

Powering the Land Rover Discovery Sport lies a potent 2.0–litre diesel engine. This refined powerplant generates a healthy 201 bhp and a massive 430 Nm of torque, ensuring effortless acceleration and ample pulling power for any situation. Mated to a smooth-shifting nine–speed automatic gearbox, the Discovery experience. Power delivery is linear and predictable, making it easy to navigate city streets or overtake on highways. One of the most impressive aspects of this engine is its quiet operation. Unlike some diesels that can be noisy, the Discovery Sport’s engine is remarkably refined, offering a comfortable and serene driving experience. This refinement extends to the transmission as well, with gear changes being smooth and almost imperceptible.

Land Rover isn’t known for compromising on off-road capability, and the Discovery Sport is no exception. The all-wheel-drive system ensures confident handling in various terrains, while the Discovery Sport’s ample ground clearance allows it to tackle bumps and obstacles with ease.

Speaking of fuel efficiency, during our test drive, the Discovery Sport delivered an indicated 12 kpl in city driving conditions. This figure is to be expected for a car of this size and power. However, on the highway run from Mumbai to Pune, the Discovery Sport surprised us with a figure of 17 kpl. These figures are indicative and may vary depending on driving conditions and individual driving styles.

When it comes to ride and handling, the Discovery Sport strikes a good balance. The suspension effectively absorbs bumps and undulations, ensuring a comfortable and composed ride on highways. While not designed for sporty handling, the Discovery Sport takes corners competently and inspires confidence behind the wheel.

The Discovery Sport’s strengths lie in its versatility and practicality. The optional third-row seating makes it a family-friendly option, while the powerful engine  and all-wheel-drive system ensure it can handle any adventure you throw its way. With a starting price of ₹ 67.90 lakh (ex-showroom), the Discovery Sport undercuts many of its German counterparts. This competitive pricing, coupled with its feature list and off-road capability, makes it a serious contender in the segment.

One might argue that Land Rover could even consider slapping a Range Rover badge on the Discovery Sport. The car itself is a hidden gem within the Land Rover portfolio, offering exceptional value and capability. A touch of the Range Rover’s brand association might just be the nudge needed to turn a few more heads towards this impressive SUV.