It’s been a success since launching in Europe and now the Land Rover Discovery Sport medium SUV has arrived in New Zealand.
Launched this week and on sale now, the Land Rover Freelander 2 replacement starts at $78,500 and will take on Audi’s Q5, BMW’s X3, Mercedes-Benz’s GLC and the Volvo XC60.
There are two model ranges – the SE and HSE – with a choice of a 2.2-litre diesel engine (producing 110kW in the TD4 or 140kW in the SD4) or a 177kW 2-litre petrol engine for the Si4 models.
All the powertrains are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The four-wheel-drive system includes Land Rover’s Terrain Response system that covers normal road conditions; grass/gravel and snow; mud; and sand.
The SE line up sit on 18in alloys and includes rear parking aid and camera, heated seats and 8in touchscreen, with the price starting at $78,500 for the TD4 model, and $82,000 for the SD4 and petrol Si4 SUVs.
The HSE lineup get the 19in wheels, heated and cooled seats, and mood lighting, with the TD4 at $86,000, and the SD4 and Si4 at $89,500.
For an additional $2200 you can add a third row to the Discovery Sport to get what Land Rover calls the 5 + 2 stadium seating.
While the Range Rover family has the similar Evoque SUV, at the media launch, product manager Paul Ricketts said the Discovery Sport was more a of a “family orientated vehicle”.