2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 petrol review, test drive

As expected from a Land Rover, right from the way the doors shut to the interior design, everything seems to be built with longevity in mind. The car’s interior has been carried over from the diesel, except that it uses a different tachometer because this is a petrol car. The high-set seats and the low dash offer a nice view outside. We especially love how the rotary gear rises when you start the car and then there are those nice-looking air-con dials too. 

However, there are some flaws too. The display in the instrument cluster doesn’t look as nice, and there are some shoddy-looking hard plastics in the cabin that look out of place in a car this expensive.

Should I buy one? 

The Discovery Sport still feels more hardy than sporty and lacks sophistication that its rivals offer. However, if a seven-seat SUV with Land Rover DNA is what you’re looking for, the petrol Discovery Sport fits the bill over the diesels. That’s because at Rs 58 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it’s just a bit costlier than the 150hp diesel seven-seat HSE (Rs 56.82 lakh), but importantly, a good Rs 6 lakh cheaper than the fully loaded 190hp diesel. Also, it’s the better performer, it’s nicer to drive, is more refined, and with the uncertainty looming over big diesel-engined cars, it’s also the safer option.