The 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport is the most affordable way to get into one of the brand's upscale, off-road-friendly vehicles. While celebrities and Hollywood's elite gravitate toward the Land Rover Range Rover, the Discovery Sport continues to be one of the brand's best-selling models. With its off-roading prowess, the Discovery Sport sits in a league with only a few competitors. The SUV's agreeable levels of comfort and convenience are also pleasant surprises when considering how capable the machine is when the road gets rough.
What's New for 2019
The Discovery Sport mainly carries over unchanged from last year. Major news for 2019 is the addition of the Landmark Edition that's meant to mark the brand's history of selling approximately 350,000 Discovery Sport SUVs since its inception in 2014. The trim is available in unique exterior colors and has a contrasting roof. The Landmark Edition also has some bespoke interior touches. Besides the new trim, the only other change for the Discovery Sport is the all-new multi-link rear axle.
Choosing Your Land Rover Discovery Sport
The Discovery Sport is available in four trims and can be fitted with one of two engines. Both of the available engines are turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder units, but the standard output is 237 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful version of the engine is rated to make 286 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and is available on the HSE and HSE Luxury trims. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is all-wheel drive.
Land Rovers are known for being able to traverse rough terrain, while ensuring that passengers are treated to a serene ride. To that end, the SUV features Terrain Response that sees the vehicle alter various components depending on what surface you're driving over. Hill Descent Control (HDC) is also included, and helps drivers tackle steep declines. Hill-start assist and All-Terrain Progress Control, which aid the vehicle in crawling forward at a speed that's specified by the driver, are also available.
Despite its small size, the Discovery Sport is available in a five-plus-two layout that allows it to seat up to seven. The SUV's tall design also allows it to hold an impressive amount of cargo: 34.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 62.75 cubic feet in total.
While the Landmark Edition looks really good with its contrast roof, the HSE trim strikes the ideal spot with its list of standard features. The 287-hp engine adds impressive performance to the SUV, but it's pricey at an extra $7,000 (or $6,100 on the HSE Luxury), so we'd skip that motor. We really think the 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport should come with heated front seats as standard, but, alas, it doesn't, making the Cold Climate Package a must. The Driver Assist Plus Pack and Intelligent Dynamics Package are two other packages that are worth exploring.