Those interested in a bargained Land Rover might lean toward the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The Discovery Sport is capable on- and off-road, and it’s pretty stylish too. In summer 2020, may you might have noticed that there are some tempting deals on the 2015 Discovery Sport. Even so, there are a few reasons to avoid this SUV.

Driving a used Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Discovery Sport is one of the few SUVs that feels comfortable on paved roads and trails. That said, the reviews on how it performs are mixed. The 2015 Disco Sport gets its power from a turbocharged 240-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a nine-speed automatic transmission. 

On the bright side, the Disco Sport provides adequate power, and it feels responsive in most driving situations. This luxury SUV comes standard with four-wheel-drive and Land Rover’s Terrain Response system. This system features four different driving modes that help to navigate through rock, mud, sand, and snow. 

The downside is that despite its name, the Disco Sport isn’t sporty at all. Reviewers at U.S. News appreciated the Disco Sport for its power but acknowledged that this SUV tends to lag. Consumer Reports flat out hates the Disco Sport. CR feels that the Disco Sport lacks balance and agility. Both U.S. News and CR also agree that the SUV’s nine-speed lacks smoothness and refinement. 

On the inside, it’s just OK

The Disco Sport offers a clean-looking, comfortable cabin. It can seat up to five passengers in its standard configuration. Some used models will have the optional third row, which increases the seating capacity to seven.

For the most part, the Disco Sport’s cabin offers plenty of space, but the optional third-row is tiny. And while the SUV’s interior is composed of many high-quality materials, its presentation looks rather ordinary from a luxurious brand like Land Rover. 

The 2015 Disco Sport launched right before advanced infotainment features became more popular, so it’s not that impressive in the tech department. As a new model, this Land Rover came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connection, and a 10-speaker stereo. Some models will have a larger stereo, satellite, radio, and navigation. 

Poor reliability ratings 

To top it off, the Disco Sport isn’t very reliable. The NHTSA recalled the SUV 10 times. These recalls have to do with the Disco Sport’s fuel system, suspension, and powertrain. If you decide to buy this SUV, make sure you address the recalls with your auto dealer. However, we don’t recommend that you get this model. It doesn’t offer the “wow factor” you would expect from an SUV in this class. Land Rovers are also known to have expensive maintenance repairs. 

What to buy instead 

Instead of purchasing the 2015 Disco Sport, consider a used BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class. It’s also worth looking into non-luxury models for your off-roading adventures. Jeeps like the Renegade or the Grand Cherokee are solid options. Even consider a 4Runner over the Disco Sport.