The most recent iteration of the Land Rover Discovery Sport was introduced locally during 2020 and has become a popular choice amongst both SUV and 4X4 enthusiasts. The model which is characterized as a compact SUV slot in just below the Discovery model which is larger in dimensions and feature slightly different in the styling.
Related: Which Land Rover Discovery Sport is better: diesel or petrol?
Although the newcomer retains some of the latest technology and some stylistic updates, those scouting for the best value for money options shouldn't dismiss its rivals from neighbouring European countries such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Alfa Romeo Stelvio. For the purpose of this comparison, we will be focussing on the Land Rover Discovery Sport D200 R-Dynamic SE, Mercedes-Benz GLC300d 4Matic and Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0T B-Tech Q4 models.
Exterior
Although your taste in style is subjective, all three of the contenders come in tastefully and well-designed packages. Upfront on the Land Rover you will be greeted by a modern design with strong horizontal lines while the Mercedes-Benz incorporates more rounded themes. The Alfa Romeo comes with sharp and aggressive styling and it's signature V-shaped grille.
The Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz offer LED headlamps as standard equipment with the Italian contender retaining halogen headlamps, however, with Xenon headlamps as an optional item. A similar theme emerges with the Daylight Running Lights with the Stelvio featuring traditional units and offer LED units as optional, the latter standard on both the German and British vehicles.
The longest of the bunch, the Stelvio measuring 4 687mm and the shortest, the Discovery Sport which measures 4 597mm both come fitted with rear-view cameras and park distance control systems upfront and rear as standard. The GLC which measures 4 656mm in length comes fitted with 17-inch wheels while the Stelvio feature 19-inch options and the Land Rover 20-inch units.
Interior
Both the Land Rover and Alfa Romeo comes with full leather interiors while the Mercedes-Benz features artificial leather with the real thing available as an option. Centrally fitted to the dashboard of the Alfa Romeo is an 8.8-inch infotainment screen which is controlled via buttons on the multifunction steering wheel and a central controller. The unit in the Mercedes-Benz is commanded in a similar fashion, however, measures in at 10.25-inch while the Land Rover comes with 12.3-inch touchscreen configuration.
Customers of all three contenders are treated to a full climate control system, however, only the Land Rover and Alfa Romeo offer heated steering wheels for those brisk winter mornings. Safety items on the Land Rover include lane keep assist which incorporates the lane keep warning that comes standard on the other two vehicles in this comparison. Blind-spot monitoring also features as standard on the Discovery whereas it is an optional item on the other two.
Items such a cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control and USB inputs come standard on all three vehicles. Occupants of the Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover discovery are kept safe by 7 airbags while the Stelvio comes with 6, omitting the driver knee unit. In terms of leading capacity, the Land Rover shines out with its 1 179-litres which expands to 1 794-litres with the rear bench folded flat on the 5-seater variant. The Mercedes-Benz start with 550-litres but that grows to 1 600-litres with the rear bench folded flat while the Stelvio starts with 525-litres and also achieve 1 600-litres with the rear bench down.
Powertrain
All three models have been making a strong case for themselves, however, let us glance at what is below the bonnet to find out which is best.
| Land Rover Discovery Sport D200 R-Dynamic SE | Mercedes-Benz GLC300d 4Matic | Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0T B-Tech Q4 | |
| Engine | 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel | 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel | 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Power | 147 kW | 180 kW | 206 kW |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 500 Nm | 400 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6s | 6.5s | 5.7s |
| Top speed | 209 km/h | 231 km/h | 230 km/h |
| Fuel consumption | 5.5 L / 100 km | 5.9 L / 100 km | 7.0 L / 100 km |
| CO2 emission | 144 g / km | 157 g / km | 161 g / km |
| Price | R 969 262 | R 967 230 | R 919 822 |
*This table was compiled with information gathered from www.duoporta.co.za and the pricing was correct at the time of writing this article but can change at any time without notice.
Conclusion
All three models compared in this article has made a strong case for themselves. However, there is a trend that emerges from one of the contenders, the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Items that you would find as standard equipment on the other two would be offered as optional on the Mercedes-Benz and it gives the impression that once the vehicle is perfectly on par with the rest, it would cost more than the price listed here.
As such the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Land Rover Discovery Sport compare more directly with one another, however, the British offering not only offers a variety of items as standard equipment that is not found in the Italian, the Discovery also provides a lot of additional luggage capacity. However, the Stelvio provide better performance for the power-hungry and costs R49 440 less than its British counterpart.
While my heart is drawing me towards the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, I have to admit that the Land Rover Discovery Sport is a more complete and practical choice for everyday use and with its low fuel consumption will make a good dent in the price deficit throughout its lifecycle and as such is crowned as the best value for money option in this comparison.
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