2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a luxury mid-size SUV. Like all Land Rovers, it provides exceptional off-road performance. In fact, every model comes stock with all-wheel drive. Standard Discovery Sports have room for five people, though an available third row increases this up to seven. This particular SUV is one of the more affordable vehicles in Land Rover's current lineup.

Here's a look at what's new for the 2023 version of the Discovery Sport. We will also look at 10 of the best reasons to buy a Discovery Sport and a few of the downsides to owning one. Last of all, we will see how the Discovery Sport stacks up to two of its top competitors, the 2023 Audi Q5 and the 2023 BMW X3.

What's New for 2023?

There are very few changes for the Land Rover Discovery Sport models of 2023. Almost everything gets carried over from the 2022 model-year SUVs. Adaptive Cruise Control is now standard. The SE trim level automatically gets a Meridian Audio System with 12 speakers in 2023. Amazon Alexa now comes built into the vehicle's Pivi Pro Infotainment System.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport – The Pros

1. Fantastic Off-Road Capabilities

A Land Rover wouldn't be a real Land Rover without offering amazing off-road capabilities. That's quite possibly the number one thing that this automaker is known for. The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport doesn't disappoint in this category. As previously mentioned, every trim level automatically gets all-wheel drive. The Discovery Sport has plenty of ground clearance to help it get over rocks and other debris.

The Discovery Sport has a feature called All Terrain Progress Control. This technology aids the driver in maintaining a steady speed while taking on challenging terrain. An available 3D Surround Camera gives the driver a good view of the ground in front of the vehicle. This can aid in slow rock crawling or help to avoid certain obstacles. The Discovery Sport can even tackle water fording as long as it doesn't exceed 23.6 inches deep.

2. Class-Leading Cargo Space

The Land Rover Discovery Sport was built for adventures. Luckily, there's plenty of room to stow your gear and whatever cargo the adventure calls for. And of course, this is all very practical for more routine chores too, such as grocery runs and taking the kids and all of their equipment to a sporting event.

The Discovery Sport offers 32.7 cubic-feet of cargo space while all of the seats are in use. By folding the rear seats down, this can be expanded up to 60 cubic-feet of space. With the rear seats configured in this way, there is 69.7 inches of length between the first row and the back of the cargo area.

3. An Available Third Row

In its basic, standard configuration, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport can comfortable seat up to five people. The optional third row adds two extra seats, bringing the total up to seven. The seats in this last row can easily be folded in to allow for more cargo space when needed. This setup is perfect for large families who need an extra couple of seats for the kids.

4. A Solid Powertrain

The latest Land Rover Discovery Sport has a solid powertrain with a strong engine. Every model is powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 249 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. There's an automatic transmission system for every model. The Discovery Sport allows the driver to select from different driving modes for specific situations. This SUV has what it takes to get you over or through challenging terrain.

5. The Rugged and Handsome Exterior

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport has an attractive exterior design. It's rugged looking, like an off-road vehicle should be. As the vehicle name would suggest, it also has a sporty appearance to highlight its athletic performance capabilities. The sharp looks of this SUV are further accentuated with features such as signature LED headlights and 18-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim level. The exterior also offers practical features such as heated, power-folding mirrors.

6. The Upscale and Comfortable Interior

Land Rover is known as a luxury brand and it's not just due to the high price or extravagant off-road capabilities. The interior of this SUV is posh and comfortable. The materials are all of a high quality and the aesthetics are quite attractive. Land Rover offers ebony Duo-Leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A Two-Zone Climate-Control System with rear vents keeps everyone nice and comfortable.

A 12-way power driver seat and a 10-way power front-passenger seat are available. There are 2-way adjustable headrests for both. The front seats come with a heating feature and the driver's seat has a memory feature as well.

7. An Impressive Infotainment System

The latest Discovery Sport comes with an impressive infotainment system that's intuitive to use. Every trim level has a 10-inch touchscreen for the Pivi Pro Infotainment System. Bluetooth technology allows for easy streaming of your favorite music. The stock audio setup is a 180-watt stereo and six speakers. This can be upgraded to an 825-watt Meridian stereo with 14 speakers for the serious audiophiles out there. Amazon Alexa Assistant is built into the infotainment system, and it's also compatible with Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay.

8. Safety and Driver-Assist Features

Every model of the 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport has an advanced airbag system and anti-locking brakes. There are numerous available camera systems to give the driver a better view of their surroundings. Some of the driver-assist aids include Forward-Collision Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking and a Lane-Keeping Assist System. This SUV also offers Adaptive Cruise Control and Traffic-Sign Recognition.

9. Strong Towing Capabilities

Towing is a nice benefit to have in a vehicle that's designed for outdoor adventures. This allows the owner to take a trailer or small boat along for the trip. When properly equipped, the Land Rover Discovery Sport can tow up to 4,409 additional pounds. The Discovery Sport is a fantastic vehicle for long road trips or fishing and camping expeditions.

10. Smooth and Refined Ride Quality

The latest Discovery Sport provides a surprisingly smooth ride on paved roads. It's quiet too, with little-to-no body vibrations or engine vibrations. Good sound proofing keeps out road noise and excessive noise pollution. The suspension system works fantastically well over off-road terrain or on smooth, paved surfaces. It soaks up pretty much every bump and pothole in the road.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport – The Cons

1. The Subpar Fuel Economy

The latest Discovery Sport is a thirsty SUV that will cost you at the gas pump. It gets around 21 miles-per-gallon when driving at consistent highway speeds. When cruising around the city, expect to only get around 19 miles-per-gallon. This is often an issue with any SUV, but there are some competitors in the Discovery Sport's class that do better in this category.

2. Mediocre Handling

The steering dynamics for the Discovery Sport are far from the best in its class. In fact, the steering feels a little loose and vague. Traction is always good, thanks to the standard all-wheel drive for every trim level. Overall, the handling isn't the worst you'll find in an SUV. It's just very mediocre.

3. Sluggish Acceleration

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport has a strong engine that provides plenty of horsepower for what this vehicle was designed for. It gets over tough off-road terrain with ease. It even has an impressive top speed of 140 miles-per-hour. Unfortunately, it can take longer than you might like to reach the speed you're aiming for. In fact, it needs around 7.5 seconds to reach 60 miles-per-hour.

4. Expensive Options and Packages

As previously stated, the Discovery Sport is one of the more affordable vehicles in Land Rover's stable for 2023. Unfortunately, the final price can go up quickly once desirable options are added on. Getting the right package and features for your specific needs can potentially move the cost right out of your price range.

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2023 Audi Q5

One of the top competitors for the 2023 Discovery Sport will be Audi's Q5. It's a little more compact than the Discovery Sport. The Q5 can only seat five and has no optional third-row seats like the Discovery Sport. The starting prices are nearly identical, though the Land Rover offers more standard features and standard all-wheel drive.

The Audi Q5 has better handling and just slightly more horsepower. Both can tow almost the same amount of weight. The Discovery Sport has significantly more cargo space. The Q5 might be a good option if luxury and road manners are your thing, but the Discovery Sport is more versatile and has vastly superior off-road capabilities. The Land Rover is better overall.

2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2023 BMW X3

Another top competitor for the Discovery Sport will be BMW's X3. It comes in at a higher price than the Land Rover. It has less cargo space and less horsepower. Surprisingly, the BMW X3 can still tow almost as much as the Discovery Sport. Land Rover again loses out when it comes to the steering and handling. The BMW has a more upscale interior and a silky-smooth ride quality.

When it comes to off-road capabilities, there is no competition. The Land Rover wins and it's not even close. Like the Audi, the BMW might be a better choice if you prioritize luxury and comfort. The Land Rover, however, is superior in almost every category and is more practical. The Land Rover offers far more value with its lower price, too.

Conclusion

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a fantastic SUV. It's one of the best off-road performers on the market. It offers great value and is the perfect vehicle for families and outdoor lovers.