2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S9) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 21 / 25 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,700 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 395 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $38,991–$51,841 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport at 6.5/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Reliability at 5.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 5.3/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.4/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.4/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $38,991–$51,841, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Land Rover Discovery Sport sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 5.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and value and reliability hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport ranks #2376 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $38,991 starting price is about 8% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport scores 6.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 6.5 — and starts roughly $4,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6.7/10 | $48,976 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 6.7/10 | $48,976 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 6.6/10 | $47,550 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 6.7/10 | $46,123 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 6.5/10 | $44,697 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 6.5/10 | $43,270 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 6.5/10 | $41,844 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 6.5/10 | $40,417 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 6.5/10 | $38,991 | |
| 2017 | 6.3/10 | $37,564 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.4/10 | $36,138 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.2/10 | $34,711 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Fuel injection system / Fuel rail 01/02/2018 · 18V087000 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Land Rover Discover Sport vehicles equipped with a 2.0L gasoline engine. The fuel rail end caps may leak, possibly resulting… |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport's reliability 5.3/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.5/10 overall, ranking #2376 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 3% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport starts at $38,991 and ranges up to $51,841 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
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Explore the full lineup of Land Rover models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.