We recently got hold of the five-seater new Discovery Sport also known as the Disco Sport, charmingly enough, to run around in the city and have a feel of what a medium-sized luxury SUV has to offer the affluent consumer.

Of course if you are affluent, the new Disco Sport which already comes fitted with R-Dynamic features is the starting point or the most affordable in the Land Rover model line-up and there are even pricier models available such as the Range Rover Velar which starts from well over RM500K.

It’s hard to see what’s new about the new Disco Sport but it has been slightly updated both on the interior and exterior.

Why it’s hard to see is because it has maintained its overall design identity but there are subtle changes such as the new LED head and taillights as well as the new grille which now blends in with the sporty styling of the R-Dynamic front and rear bumpers.



What you don’t see has also been updated such as the latest modular platform the new Disco Sport sits on known as the Premium Transverse Architecture (PTA) which has increased structural rigidity compared to the previous generation.

Quite a good way to go for the Disco Sport as the vehicle is a capable off-roader.

And speaking of off-road, the Disco Sport comes standard with the Terrain Response 2 which has a new Auto mode and will automatically adapt the vehicle settings accordingly to the terrain.

Besides this, it also has ClearSight Ground View, which will show the driver a view of the terrain underneath the hood.

If you’re crossing streams it has a Wading Sensor safety feature and a wading depth of 600mm.



The new Disco Sport is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged Ingenium petrol engine producing 200PS and 320Nm of torque mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Step inside and you have a clutter-free and modern dashboard design with a textured surface, demarcated red-stitching and the chrome trim on the center which acts as a border for the Touch Pro infotainment system with its 10-inch screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and the climate control system among others.

Between the driver and front passenger is the generously-sized brushed aluminium plate for the base of the gear lever which also features the Land Rover logo.

With the harsh sun outside, this piece becomes glaring and distracting to the driver but it is by no means a deal-breaker.



The steering wheel has a commanding presence with its chunky controls on a gloss black surface and the instrument cluster behind it provides a digital display on a 12.3-inch screen.

It also has a Generation 2 head up display in high resolution with full-colour graphics.

When it comes to safety, the Disco Sport is well-equipped with seven airbags, emergency brake assist, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution and tyre pressure monitoring.

On top of this, it has a suite of driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, high-speed emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, adaptive speed limiter, driver condition monitor, surround camera, blind spot assist, lane keep assist and front and rear parking aid.



Behind the wheel, the new Disco Sport offers a refined driving experience with its effortless ride thanks to the powertrain and all wheel drive (AWD) system. The steering is sharp and the vehicle handles well around bends and turns with minimal body-roll.

There’s also a lot of power on tap and if you want more, just push the gear-lever to the left to engage Sport mode and let the fun begin.

There’s no mistaking its luxurious proposition either with its plush interior, the feel of the high quality materials, comfortable leather seats and external noise cancellation it offers.

The Meridian audio system belts out hi-fi quality sound reproduction and it will turn your playlist into a fuller listening experience.

As such, it excels as a daily driver in an urban setting and can be taken out for soft off-roading should the need arise. So if you are going to dip your toes into a Land Rover, especially if it’s your first time, the Disco Sport is a good place to start.




 

SPECIFICATIONS

Keywords