We've driven the new Land Rover Discovery Sport

[LizziePope]

We know that caravanners love Land Rovers – and now there's a new one! Our Tow Car Editor David Motton has driven the new Land Rover Discovery Sport. To find out what he thinks, read his brand new blog.

 

[RogerL]

Autocar http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/land-rover/discovery-sport/first-drives/2015-land-rover-discovery-sport-review concluded that it might be better to wait for the all-new Ingenium engine.

Full size spare wheel isn't available and even an extra cost space-saver can only be fitted if you don't have the 7-seat version AND you don't have a TOWBAR - for many caravanners, a spare is an absolute must as an inflation kit will only cope with small punctures.

According to Fleet News, the Discovery Sport HSE will cost about the same to run overall as a BMW X5 3.0d SE.

 

[MichaelE]

Local dealer has a couple of demo's

 

[RayS]

Why does having a towbar prevent the fitting of a space saver spare ? Is it lack of space to stow the spare or some complications with the geometry of the towbar. ? If the latter, how do you get a standard size wheel on and off ?

Having a full size spare is high on my list of requirements, and influenced my choice of Freelander 2 considerably. Some of the insurance / breakdown services will only help if you have a suitable spare to fit.

 

[RogerL]

Why does having a towbar prevent the fitting of a space saver spare ? Is it lack of space to stow the spare or some complications with the geometry of the towbar. ? If the latter, how do you get a standard size wheel on and off ?

Having a full size spare is high on my list of requirements, and influenced my choice of Freelander 2 considerably. Some of the insurance / breakdown services will only help if you have a suitable spare to fit.

From using the configurator, it seems clear that the 7-seat option can't take even a space-saver presumably because the folded 3rd-row seat sits where the spare would otherwise - the same restriction seems to apply to the space-saver if you add the factory-fit towbar - but I can't work out why.

The configurator has no option for a full-size spare and I'd guess there's nowhere to store it, other than in the luggage area, which would also apply if you had a puncture and put the space-saver on.

I currently have not only a full-size spare at no extra cost when new but it came, as all Hyundai's did then, on a matching alloy wheel so can extend the life of the OE tyres by being included in the rotation pattern.

 

[jay1976]

I can tell u why no spare.. 3 reasons.. 1 is the weight higher weight more mpg or carbon emmisions.. 2nd reason cost.. 3rd no space..
its not called a sport for no reason.
I work at JLR in the offices ordering parts for production line.. hybrid cant tow either. better off waiting for new discovery which will be no chassis and better tow capacity than out going 2015 model..

 

[xtrailman]

I can tell u why no spare.. 3 reasons.. 1 is the weight higher weight more mpg or carbon emmisions.. 2nd reason cost.. 3rd no space..
its not called a sport for no reason.
I work at JLR in the offices ordering parts for production line.. hybrid cant tow either. better off waiting for new discovery which will be no chassis and better tow capacity than out going 2015 model..

Is it correct that you can't have a spare and a towbar?
I didn't read the review that way. I have no interest in 7 seaters with no boot so not concerned with them.

 

[xtrailman]

Autocar http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/land-rover/discovery-sport/first-drives/2015-land-rover-discovery-sport-review concluded that it might be better to wait for the all-new Ingenium engine.

Full size spare wheel isn't available and even an extra cost space-saver can only be fitted if you don't have the 7-seat version AND you don't have a TOWBAR - for many caravanners, a spare is an absolute must as an inflation kit will only cope with small punctures.

According to Fleet News, the Discovery Sport HSE will cost about the same to run overall as a BMW X5 3.0d SE.

From the link

"The towing limit is 2000kg for the six-speed manual and 2200kg for the nine-speed auto. There is a 'towing pack' version of the car with a 2500kg limit and a full-size spare wheel instead of a space-saver (although Land Rover considers it acceptable to tow with the space-saver). However, this version won't be available in the UK for the time being.
Read more at http://www.practicalcaravan.com/blog/31477-land-rover-discovery-sport-review#41BpZKiYeBfMIoUI.99"

All very confusing?

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Although on my fourth Freelander, I WILL NOT have a vehicle without a spare wheel. So it probably looks like 'bye bye' LR

 

[xtrailman]

Although on my fourth Freelander, I WILL NOT have a vehicle without a spare wheel. So it probably looks like 'bye bye' LR

It does have one.

 

[RogerL]

Although on my fourth Freelander, I WILL NOT have a vehicle without a spare wheel. So it probably looks like 'bye bye' LR

It does have one.

The configurator seems to give a choice of towbar - OR - spare wheel - it didn't allow both to be optioned when I went through it. It may be to do with the 3rd-row of seating, not that that's good reason as Santa Fe and Sorento manage 7-seats, a full-size spare and a flat boot floor.

 

[xtrailman]

Although on my fourth Freelander, I WILL NOT have a vehicle without a spare wheel. So it probably looks like 'bye bye' LR

It does have one.

The configurator seems to give a choice of towbar - OR - spare wheel - it didn't allow both to be optioned when I went through it. It may be to do with the 3rd-row of seating, not that that's good reason as Santa Fe and Sorento manage 7-seats, a full-size spare and a flat boot floor.

Either the PC review is incorrect or the configurator, I would email LR or contact a dealer for their version.
From my experience with Mazda they published incorrect kerb weights for the CX-5 on their website.

Auto express said if you had a 7 seat then you couldn't have a spare, which makes more sense.

From the accessories brochure. " Quick Release Tow Bar (5+2 seat with spare wheel) Convenient and easy to use the detachable tow bar ensures a clean look when not in use. VPLCT0148 £957.00"

http://www.landrover.com/content/gb/en/pdf/accessory-ebrochure/new-discovery-sport?_ga=1.246478087.225715357.1419155185

 

[RogerL]

Although on my fourth Freelander, I WILL NOT have a vehicle without a spare wheel. So it probably looks like 'bye bye' LR

It does have one.

The configurator seems to give a choice of towbar - OR - spare wheel - it didn't allow both to be optioned when I went through it. It may be to do with the 3rd-row of seating, not that that's good reason as Santa Fe and Sorento manage 7-seats, a full-size spare and a flat boot floor.

Either the PC review is incorrect or the configurator, I would email LR or contact a dealer for their version.
From my experience with Mazda they published incorrect kerb weights for the CX-5 on their website.

Auto express said if you had a 7 seat then you couldn't have a spare, which makes more sense.

Land Rover have abandoned all brochures, relying totally on the configurator - whether you use it on line or in a dealers showroom it's the same configurator.

 

[xtrailman]

Although on my fourth Freelander, I WILL NOT have a vehicle without a spare wheel. So it probably looks like 'bye bye' LR

It does have one.

The configurator seems to give a choice of towbar - OR - spare wheel - it didn't allow both to be optioned when I went through it. It may be to do with the 3rd-row of seating, not that that's good reason as Santa Fe and Sorento manage 7-seats, a full-size spare and a flat boot floor.

Either the PC review is incorrect or the configurator, I would email LR or contact a dealer for their version.
From my experience with Mazda they published incorrect kerb weights for the CX-5 on their website.

Auto express said if you had a 7 seat then you couldn't have a spare, which makes more sense.

Land Rover have abandoned all brochures, relying totally on the configurator - whether you use it on line or in a dealers showroom it's the same configurator.

Ten minutes ago I downloaded two brochures for the new sport.
See my modified post previously for the accessories brochure.