2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport Pros vs Cons
What’s New For 2017
For the new model year, Land Rover introduces a new optional 10.2-inch touch screen for ergonomic control of entertainment and vehicle functions. Additional safety technologies were added as well for driver assistance. This includes driver fatigue monitoring, which constantly monitors driving inputs and detects lapses in concentration, and lane keep assist, which audibly alerts the driver if the vehicle is veering into the next lane.
Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport – The Pros
1. High-Tech Displays
The 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport has an uncluttered dashboard, giving it a clean, distinguished appearance. It also features an optional heads-up display that shows critical driving information while you keep the car in motion. This includes speed, gear position and navigation instructions so you can keep your eyes on the road. It displays on the windshield in a non-intrusive way for maximum safety.
2. Safety Technologies
This vehicle has numerous driver assistance features designed to keep you and your passengers safe on the road. Things like autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, parking assistance and multiple cameras deliver superior safety when you need it most. These systems use a combination of external cameras and sensors that provide visual and audible alerts inside the vehicle for various situations. You’re notified when there’s someone in your blind spot, if a crash is imminent, or if you’re starting to swerve out of your lane, in which case the brakes are automatically applied.
3. Performance
The 2017 Discovery Sport is equipped with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that’s lightweight yet powerful and mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. It has advanced turbocharging technology to provide more power when you need it, and independent variable valve timing increases fuel efficiency and lowers emissions. It produces 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. It also makes use of automatic start/stop which turns the engine off at idle, further saving on fuel.
4. Off-Road Capability
Its full-time four-wheel drive and lightweight suspension give you the ability to handle the most uneven, unpredictable terrain. It’s equipped with specialized technology that automatically adapts your driving depending on the surface, and its hill descent feature carefully controls your descent down steep inclines by applying braking separately to each wheel.
5. Creature Comforts
Sophisticated climate control keeps the driver and passengers comfortable regardless of the weather, and the seats are alternately heated or cooled, depending on your preference. Each seat can be individually adjusted. Hands-free liftgate features let you open the trunk even when your hands are full of luggage or shopping items by making a kicking motion with your foot underneath the vehicle.
6. Advanced Car Audio
The 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport is equipped with a refined digital surround sound system created by Meridian. It includes 16 speakers and a dual-channel subwoofer to deliver immersive, rich sound within your vehicle space.
7. Land Rover’s InControl System
This suite of technologies let you stay connected to the outside world while you remain in your vehicle. It integrates seamlessly with the apps on your smartphone so you can make calls, send texts, plan events and use your GPS hands-free. Its coordinating smartphone app lets you check in with your vehicle to pre-start it in cold weather or even see if you’ve left a window open in the rain.
8. Versatility
The interior seats can be arranged five different ways depending on passengers and cargo space required. The three rows of seats can be easily folded down or removed in some cases to make room for longer or bulkier items. This lets you seat up to seven passengers comfortably with cargo room to spare.
9. Panoramic Roof Option
This option allows the greatest amount of light to enter the vehicle, increasing interior visibility and providing beautiful overhead views of the great outdoors for all passengers. Choose from black or gray to complement your vehicle’s exterior color.
10. Adaptive Xenon Headlights
Increase nighttime visibility as you drive with the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport headlights. Their field of view is wide and Xenon bulbs provide bright lights that follow the curves of the road as you turn. They automatically align with steering wheel direction to enhance your vision of the road and objects around you.
Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport – The Cons
1. Low Fuel Economy
Compared to other luxury compact SUVs, the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport consumes more gallons of gas per mile than its competitors. It’s rated for 20mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway.
2. Engine Feels Underpowered A Bit
Some online reviewers have stated that this vehicle feels a bit underpowered. Although its four-cylinder engine is rated at 240 horsepower, it reaches this peak at 5800rpm, which is not a band you’ll be spending a lot of time in cruising at speed on the highway or even in the city. You might go that high if you’re accelerating or merging onto a highway, but for everyday driving, you won’t see that horsepower output.
3. Less Cargo Space
Although it is quite versatile in the different seating combinations it offers, when all seven seats are in place, it leaves only 6.8 cu. ft. of space in the trunk for stowing belongings, which might make a road trip with the entire family a tricky endeavor, especially with everyone’s luggage.
4. Lack of Engine Choices
With the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport, what you see is what you get. There’s no additional six-cylinder or diesel engine options. THe only one offered is the 2.0L four cylinder. Many consumers will be quite happy with this engine as it is turbocharged with a good amount of low-end torque, but those who prefer diesel power or a larger six-cylinder may have to look elsewhere.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition
The 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport does face competition from other luxury SUVs. Its primary competitors are the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60, and although these vehicles have more powerful engine options and sportier handling in some cases, the Land Rover wins out when it comes to off-roading capability. Its ample features both interior and exterior as well as endless convenience and technology options, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is an excellent choice for those in the market for a new luxury SUV.
Conclusion
The 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport is an overall fantastic choice if you’re looking for an SUV with elegant styling, advanced technologies, features to keep you and your passengers comfortable as well as off-roading capability. Those out to seek adventure are sure to enjoy this vehicle.
