Land Rover Discovery Sport vs Audi Q5 vs BMW X3: which one has the lowest running costs?

First introduced in 2014, the first-generation Discovery Sport was produced between 2015 and 2019 as a replacement to the popular Freelander. The second-generation Discovery Sport was then introduced in 2019 and is now based on the JLR PTA platform which it shares with the Jaguar E-Pace and Range Rover Evoque. The Sport is offered with a range of turbo petrol and diesel engine as well as a hybrid model and is unique in its segment as it is available with 7 seats.

For our comparison today we have chosen the entry-level Discovery Sport and compared it with two rivals in the form of the recently updated Audi Q5 and BMW X3, making this an incredibly tough challenge for the Land Rover.

The figures

	Land Rover Discovery Sport D200 R-Dynamic S	Audi Q5 40TDI quattro S line	BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport
Engine size	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Power/Torque	147 kW/430 Nm	140 kW/400 Nm	140 kW/400 Nm
Gearbox	9-speed automatic	7-speed dual-clutch automatic	8-speed automatic
Boot volume	1 179-litres	550-litres	550-litres
Airbags	7	6	6
Kerb weight	1 841kg	1 845kg	1 825kg
0-100km/h	8.6 sec	7.9 sec	8.0 sec
Fuel capacity	65-litres	65-litres	68-litres
Claimed consumption	6.1 L/100 km	6.2 L/100 km	5.5 L/100 km
Braked towing capacity	2 500kg	2 400kg	2 400kg
Maintenance plan	5 yr/100 000km	5-yr /100 000 km	5-yr/100 000km
Price	R947 108	R897 000	R934 438

 

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models that we have chosen for this comparison are direct competitors from a pricing and segment perspective, with diesel engines and automatic gearboxes. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72-months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 11%.

Land Rover Discovery Sport D200 R-Dynamic S

With the instalment parameters in place, the Discovery Sport will work out at R16 225 per month over 72 months.

Audi Q5 40TDI quattro S line

With the instalment parameters in place, the Q5 will work out at R15 366 per month over 72 months.

BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport

With the instalment parameters in place, the X3 will work out at R16 008 per month over 72 months.

Fuel consumption

All three products in this comparison feature 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines and all-wheel drive, however, each features a different gearbox. On paper at least, the X3 is the most efficient, with a fuel consumption figure or 5.5 L/100km. The BMW also has the largest fuel tank, allowing for a driving range of 1236km.

In second place, by an incredibly narrow margin is the Discovery Sport with a consumption figure of 6.1 L/100km and a driving range of 1 066km from its 65-litre fuel tank. The Audi is third in this comparison, with a claimed consumption figure of 6.2 l/100km, meaning a driving range of 1 048km from a 65-litre tank.

Maintenance plans

Our trio all feature 5-year/100 000km maintenance contracts, meaning that the only costs an owner of one of these three products will incur during this period will include fuel and tyres, provided there is no driver abuse noted.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, all three products here are compelling propositions from a running cost perspective, however, there can only be one winner and that is the Audi Q5 thanks to its lower list price, making its monthly premium less, offsetting its perceived fuel consumption deficit.