![]() Land Rover Discovery Sport Hybrid (2020): verdict In most regards it feels just like its siblings – the Land Rover encourages you to drive it with consideration, not aggression, a factor that merely amplifies the attractiveness of the plug-in hybrid arrangement. Suffice to say the P300e powertrain is swift, but it doesn’t inject any ‘sport’ into the Discovery, err, Sport. Top speed, as academic a figure as that is in an SUV like this, is 130mph. How do numbers like up to 34 miles of electric driving range and CO2 emissions of 44g/km grab you? Not bad, are they, but as was ever thus, the numbers only tell part of the story. Unless you frequently use seats 6 and 7, it’s only a small sacrifice. Clearly that combination of engine, fuel tank, electric motor and batteries have to go somewhere. It’s around the back of the cabin where you’ll find a significant change, though: the Discovery Sport P300e is a strict five-seater with no option to spec those ‘plus 2’ rearward births. Nav graphics remain the same, assuming you’re not using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Usefully, the navigation system will determine not only the most efficient routes, but also where on the journey it’s best to be EV-only, use both power sources or even stick to just the engine. All barring the first handful of models will have the new system. Running on its own battery system and featuring over the air updates, the new package is significantly quicker to operate with far less lag than its predecessor. But if you love what the Discovery stands for, these gripes are unlikely to matter much, even if it's not the best all-round mid-size SUV in this class.Technofans will be rejoicing at the introduction of the new Pivi (on S specification models) and Pivi Pro (SE and HSE versions) multimedia system. The brand doesn't necessarily have the highest reliability review, and the 2023 Land Rover Discovery has two recalls against it. And its relative thirst will remind you that efficiency takes a back seat to ability. It should really be easier to get into that rather tight third row, which is sure to hamstring it a bit on the school run. If you're looking for something that's a breeze to drive in town, quiet, and comfortable, the Discovery works, although it's not the last word in practicality. It's not sporty, and this much should be obvious - and presumably, that's not what you're looking for anyway. It offers a lot more off-road ability than most rivals, its engines are punchy, and it can tow a big rig if you need to. ![]() If you're buying into the Land Rover philosophy of selling SUVs that can actually do SUV things off the beaten track, there is a lot to like about the Discovery. And at around $60k, the starting price of the Land Rover Discovery is not exactly low either. But there is no shortage of competition in the hotly contested luxury mid-size SUV space and against rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Volvo XC90, and Genesis GV80, the Disco handles a bit ponderously for something that will probably mainly be used on the road, while the third row is tight and difficult to access. ![]() Where does that leave the Land Rover Discovery, though? It turns out that the Discovery is an excellent blend of traditional Land Rover attributes, offering you a three-row mid-size SUV with a tasteful, high-class interior, go-anywhere ability, and a quiet and comfortable ride. Land Rover's SUVs are for people who want to go on adventures but like the finer things in life: The Range Rover is the last word in regal comportment of the S-Class variety, the Evoque combines compact and chic, and the Defender is the ultimate rugged go-anywhere Landy - just like the original - in a variety of sizes and configurations.
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