Driving a car on a press launch on unfamiliar roads, with nothing to do but concentrate on the driving, is one thing. But how about using the same car in your home environment, under pressure from London traffic, for day-to-day chores? That’s when the vehicle’s character really emerges.
I’ve done both in the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the firm’s contemporary replacement for the Freelander, and I’m mostly impressed with what I’ve found.
It comfortably carried seven of us on holiday in the West Country (we arrived in separate vehicles: it might be a “pop-up” seven-seater but that leaves too little luggage space for a holiday involving that many passengers).
Now it’s proving its worth in London, where its 981-litre boot in five-seater mode (1,698 in two-seater mode) — nice and square and with a low lip for loading — has proved its worth on demanding garden centre and DIY runs.
What’s evident is that the designers spent time in this car in development, evaluating what owners want in terms of comfort, convenience and storage. Front to back, there is an average-sized glovebox, useful for torches and dash cams. But there is a very useful slot under the infotainment system for sunglasses and mobiles, while adjacent are two cup-holders with a smart sliding lid.
Then we have that impressive boot equipped, for the pop-up seats, with two 12-volt and two five-volt sockets. There’s an ingenious stowage system too, with an easily moved bar-on-runners that holds shopping bags upright. There’s even a clever floor-mounted device, which spools out webbing to strap around.
Disappointments? The rearmost seatbelt stowage clips are useless; the belts snag the retractable load cover, and the tailgate squeaks over bumps. Favourite trick? A 5p plastic passenger floorwell clip right where it’s needed for bags of wine.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Top speed: 117 mph; 0-60 mph: 8.4 secs;
Combined MPG: 53.3;
CO2: 139g/km
Price: from £31,095
