2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 S

Think of it as the overlanding vehicle for wealthy families: the 2023 Discovery continues Land Rover's legacy of off-road capability but wraps it in a modern, upscale package. There's room for seven across three rows of seats—although the third row is snug and best suited to kids. Two turbocharged engines are offered. The entry-level powerplant is a 296-hp four-cylinder and the upgrade engine is a smooth and refined 355-hp inline six. On the road, the Discovery provides an agreeable ride but other less adventurous rivals, such as the BMW X5, the Porsche Cayenne, and the Volvo XC90 are more engaging to drive. What those SUVs lack, however, is the Land Rover's heavier-duty off-roading gear, which includes an optional two-speed transfer case. The Discovery lineup gains a loaded Metropolitan Edition for 2023, complete with the 355-hp inline-six engine, special 22-inch wheels, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, and heated seats for all three rows. The exterior is dressed up with unique grille, special emblems, and silver bumper inserts; inside, a new Titanium Mesh trim is inlayed on the dash and door panels. The mid-range R-Dynamic trim now comes standard with a black contrast roof and the rest of the lineup gains several new standard features, including heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, three-zone automatic climate control, and a Meridian stereo system. The mid-range R-Dynamic model offers the best value in the Discovery lineup, as it adds fog lamps, LED taillights, aluminum interior trim, and uniquely styled front and rear bumpers. Base S and R-Dynamic models come standard with the turbo-four engine, but the R-Dynamic can be optioned with the more powerful inline-six-cylinder engine for $5550. The top-level HSE trim receives the inline-six as standard equipment. All Discovery models come with full-time all-wheel drive as standard, but buyers can choose between a 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 355-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, the latter of which employs a 48-volt hybrid system. We haven't had a chance to test-drive the Disco with the base turbo four, but with the inline-six, the big Land Rover feels sprightly around town and delivers adequate power for highway merging and passing. At our test track, the six-cylinder Discovery made it to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The Land Rover's adventure-ready mission caters to those seeking an SUV for much more than just trolling the parking lot at the mall, but it comes at the expense of on-road dexterity. The Discovery's handling isn't as ponderous as one might expect, but it still feels clumsy and top-heavy when changing direction. The Disco never lets you forget that you're piloting a large SUV. Overall ride quality is quite good, and even harsh bumps are dealt with easily. Steering feel, however, is nonexistent, especially on-center, where a large dead spot creates a need for frequent steering corrections when cruising on the highway. If towing a heavy load is on the docket, the Disco is rated to tow up to 8200 pounds. The EPA estimates that the turbocharged four-cylinder model will deliver 19 mpg city and 22 mpg highway while the hybridized six-cylinder powertrain is rated for 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, our six-cylinder test vehicle managed only 22 mpg. For more information about the Discovery's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. The Discovery's interior materials are upscale, and the design is appropriately posh. Luxury features abound throughout the cabin, and the level of comfort only increases as you climb through the more expensive trims. Power-adjustable, heated leather seats with optional massage function for the driver and front-seat passenger offer good support and even better cushioning; second-row seats provide fore-and-aft and recline adjustments. Without adequate space to haul gear there would be fewer opportunities for adventure. With both of its rear rows of seats folded, the Disco's spacious cabin proved to be quite accommodating with room for 29 of our carry-on suitcases. But flip the last row of seats up and load the Discovery with the full complement of seven would-be explorers and the maximum number of carry-ons it can carry drops to just two behind the third row.