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2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: S vs R-Dynamic S and SE vs R-Dynamic SE
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

What 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport Trim Should You Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a powerhouse of off-road prowess. For more than 75 years, the luxury automaker has provided drivers with vehicles that are unmatched in capability and comfort; this sleek SUV follows suit as each model comes prepared to tackle any terrain thanks to an AWD (all-wheel drive) system.

The Discovery Sport offers a lot of value with its abundance of standard features and low starting price. This SUV has plenty of room for up to five adults to ride comfortably. It technically has a third row, or what Land Rover calls 5+2 seating. The second row can be tilted and then slid forward. Two extra seats can then be folded out, bringing the total to seven.


The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a family friendly SUV that offers generous passenger space. With an impressive 181-inch length and 75-inches in width, you'll have plenty of room to fit the entire brood - plus two additional flip down seats! The front row provides 39.5 inches of headroom with 39.1 inches for legroom, while second row passengers receive 38.7's worth of overhead clearance and their own 38+ inch stretch out area too.

All of the interior space inside of a Land Rover Discovery Sport isn't just for passengers. There's plenty of room in there for your cargo, too. There's around 32.2 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats. By folding those seats down, the cargo area can be expanded up to a convenient 60 cubic-feet of space.

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport offers four distinct trim levels with an impressive powertrain and standard AWD, ranging from the base S to two dynamic R-Dynamic models for adventurers seeking extra off-road capabilities. All trims boast exciting features that make this car a great value no matter which one you choose.

With four distinctive trim levels, this SUV offers drivers the ability to customize their ride based on feature preferences. From luxurious amenities to high-performance specs and everything in between - unlocking its potential is just a few clicks away! Let's explore each one of these excellent trims and see which best fits your needs.

Compare the S vs R-Dynamic S. What Is the Difference?

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport marks a bold evolution in the legendary SUV's performance. Boasting an impressive 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine, drivers can access remarkable power at their command – up to 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque deliver swift acceleration from zero to 60 mph in under 7 seconds while achieving top speeds reaching 137mph (in S trim).

According to the EPA, you can expect fuel efficiency of about 20 mpg for your journeys in a 2023 Discovery Sport. Urban drives get 19 mpg while highway excursions should yield 23 mpg - a blend ideal for hitting all roads between point A and B.

Every model of the Discovery Sport offers superior performance with a powerful 8-speed automatic transmission, plus 18" alloy wheels that add to its sporty aesthetic. It also features LED headlights and taillights for improved visibility while driving in all conditions. For added convenience when adjusting or defrosting mirrors, drivers can take advantage of power controls paired with heated glass - making it effortless! Plus there's even an advanced driver mirror equipped with anti-glare tech so you see clearly on every journey.

The exterior of the S trim also has rain-sensing wipers that engage automatically when needed. The rear liftgate has a power-operating feature that makes it easier to load and unload your cargo. There are front and rear fog lights for better visibility in any weather. Daytime-running lights make the vehicle itself more visible to oncoming traffic.

On the inside, the S trim has DuoLeather seats in ebony. The driver gets a 12-way power seat while the front passenger gets a 10-way power seat. Both seats have 2-way manually-adjustable headrests. The seats can be configured in a number of ways for versatility and practicality. Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control keeps everyone comfortable in this trim level.

For entertainment, there's the Pivi Pro Infotainment System. The S model has a 10-inch touchscreen display and works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This trim level automatically gets Land Rover's Online Pack with a Data Plan to help everyone to stay connected. There's also an available WiFi hotspot inside of the Discovery Sport S.

The S trim provides a superior audio experience with its robust stereo, 6-speaker system and HD Radio/satellite radio compatibility; plus Bluetooth streaming for playing your favorite tunes right from the palm of your hand. And never get lost again thanks to the built-in navigation system included in this powerful infotainment package.

The safety of the Discovery Sport is a top priority. Every model boasts an advanced airbag system, anti-locking brakes and S trims feature Forward Collision Warning to help prevent against accidents. Plus, Traffic Sign Recognition aids drivers so they won't miss any unexpected dangers while on the road while Adaptive Cruise Control promises comfort by helping them maintain optimum distances from other vehicles during long trips - making sure your journey's smooth as well as secure.

The S trim also gets a Lane-Keeping Assist feature to keep the driver on the straight and narrow. Front and Rear Park Assist aids the driver in getting in and out of tight spots. Automatic Emergency Braking kicks in when some immediate stopping power is needed to prevent an accident.

The R-Dynamic S trim level of the Discovery Sport takes all of those features from the S trim and then adds to them. There are some cosmetic additions like a set of red brake calipers. There are now silver sport pedals on the inside. This model also gets a black headliner. Black trim on the outside and metal trim for the interior are added to give this model a more sporty appearance.

Perhaps the biggest additions for the R-Dynamic S trim are the off-road upgrades. This model of the Discovery Sport gets Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control. Terrain Response 2 is one of Land Rover's patented, exclusive technologies. It allows the driver to select from different modes for different surfaces and driving conditions. Some of these include Gravel, Mud, Snow, Sand and Rock-Crawl Modes.

All-Terrain Progress Control maintains a consistent speed during off-road excursions. It also helps to maximize traction. This allows the driver to concentrate more on the terrain and the specific challenges that lie ahead of them. It's kind of like a cruise control, only for off-road situations instead of long drives on the highway.

Compare the R-Dynamic S vs SE. What Is the Difference?

The next trim level up from the R-Dynamic S is simply called the SE model. It immediately loses the cosmetic changes that were made to the R-Dynamic S trim. It removes the off-road-performance upgrades as well. The SE trim does keep every feature of the S trim, however, except where upgrades have been made. This trim level has the same powertrain and mechanical features as the S trim.

The SE trim upgrades the headlights to signature LED models. The exterior mirrors get approach lights added on. The wheels get bumped up to a set of 20-inch alloys. The driver's seat now has a memory feature. This is a handy feature to have if there will be multiple drivers. It can instantly recall previous settings and automatically adjust the seat accordingly.

The Traffic-Sign Recognition feature adds on an Adaptive Speed Limiter. Once the technology recognizes a speed-limit sign, the Discovery Sport will automatically adjust the speed. This can be a life saver that prevents the driver from getting a ticket. The interior also now has an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Moving up to the SE trim comes with a nice upgrade to the audio system. This trim level has a premium 400-watt stereo by Meridian. The system now comes with 11 speakers, including a subwoofer for amazing bass sounds. The speakers are strategically placed throughout the cabin for an amazing and lifelike surround-sound experience.

SE models have Auto-Leveling Headlights that remain focused directly on the road even when the vehicle is loaded down with cargo. A heavy enough load can cause the suspension system to lower in the rear. This headlight technology compensates for that and other situations to make sure the driver can clearly see the road ahead. The SE trim also gets High-Beam Assist, which engages the high beams automatically when needed.

One of the best additions to the SE trim is perhaps the Driver Assist Package. This adds on a Blind-Spot Monitor to give the driver more awareness of their surroundings. It also adds a Blind-Spot Assist feature that automatically provides corrective steering to help avoid accidents. Intelligent Emergency Braking gives the driver a warning and then brakes automatically when an impending front collision is detected.

Compare the SE vs R-Dynamic SE. What Is the Difference?

The R-Dynamic SE represents all of the best features and options that Land Rover has to offer for their 2023 Discovery Sport. It's basically identical to the SE but adds back on the cosmetic features and off-road enhancements that the R-Dynamic S models added to the S trim.

The Discovery Sport's R-Dynamic SE trim upgrades the headlights once again to a set of premium LED lamps. There are now upgraded, signature LED Daytime-Running Lamps as well. The DuoLeather seats now have a distinct Mars Red stitching pattern. This model once again gets 20-inch alloy wheels, but this time with a unique design and now in a Satin Dark Gray color.

The R-Dynamic SE has the same performance stats and off-road prowess of a R-Dynamic S. This trim level has all of the same mechanical features as that model. It's interesting to note here that both of the R-Dynamic models have a slightly higher top speed than their S and SE counterparts. The top speed here gets bumped up to 140 mph.

The top trim level provides a perfect blend of SE and R-Dynamic S specs, with minimal increase in cost. This model offers an ideal combination of cosmetics enhancements to upgrade your vehicle's style along with better off-road capabilities that make it truly worth the slight additional expenditure.


Final Thoughts

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a great compact luxury SUV. It's a versatile SUV that can fill a number of different roles. It's family friendly while also offering legitimate off-road capabilities. The Discovery Sport is a practical vehicle too, with plenty of room for both passengers and cargo.

The Discovery Sport is the perfect SUV for all your driving needs. Its off-road capabilities guarantee you easy access to some of nature's most beautiful spots while its roomy interior and comfortable cabin make it an ideal choice for family road trips - with a fantastic ride quality that won't let you down on daily commutes either.

With more and more luxury SUVs entering the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. However, sophisticated drivers know that when they're looking for style and sophistication in an SUV at this price point there's no better choice than the 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport! Now comes the tough part--choosing which model of this groundbreaking vehicle best fits your needs.

Unlock the full potential of your Discovery Sport with either R-Dynamic model. Both come equipped with advanced All-Terrain Progress Control and Terrain Response 2 features for superior handling, traction and control on even the most challenging terrain – a small price to pay for peace of mind when taking an adventure off-road.

For the 2023 lineup, Land Rover's Discovery Sport is a smart and accessible choice. If you're looking to maximize value for your dollar - go straight to the top-level R-Dynamic SE trim; it offers more bang for only slightly higher buck compared with its base counterpart -- an offer hard to resist!


Previous Year Trim Configurations:

2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport Trim Levels