“Reliable and powerful. Third row seat was a decision point on the new vehicle purchase plus amazing features”
2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The main change for the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport is that its smartphone interface became standard. Otherwise, this is a quiet carryover year with no redesign, powertrain update, or meaningful styling change.
About the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport
1st generation (L550), second model year; no major refresh.
Land Rover positioned the Discovery Sport as a premium compact SUV that blends real off-road ability with family-friendly flexibility. Its main draw is that it fits optional 5+2 seating and a versatile cabin into a relatively compact footprint, while still delivering the brand’s usual all-weather and off-pavement confidence. Against many luxury compact SUVs, it stands out less for outright speed and more for practicality, visibility, and genuine Land Rover capability.
The 2016 Discovery Sport is a compact premium SUV with standard all-wheel drive and a flexible, well-equipped cabin. SE covers the essentials with an 8-inch touchscreen and terrain-driving aids, HSE adds a panoramic roof and full leather, and HSE LUX brings navigation, upgraded audio, and richer Windsor leather.
What changed, by category
Tech
The smartphone interface moved from optional for 2015 to standard across the 2016 lineup.
2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbocharged, 2.0L | 4-Cyl, Turbocharged, 2.0L | 4-Cyl, Turbocharged, 2.0L |
| Transmission | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Horsepower | 240 hp | 240 hp | 240 hp |
| Torque | 250 lb-ft | 250 lb-ft | 250 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 4409 lb | 4409 lb | 4409 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 34.6 cu-ft | 34.6 cu-ft | 34.6 cu-ft |
| Seats | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||
| Automatic High Beams | |||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| 360 Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Fog Lights | |||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Smartphone Interface | |||
| Subwoofer | |||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||
| Cooled Seats | |||
| Cooled Rear Seats | |||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Memory Front Seats | |||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||
| Third Row Seat | |||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport compared with the 2015 model?
The smartphone interface became standard for 2016. The engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, standard all-wheel drive, SE/HSE/HSE LUX trim range, and overall styling otherwise carried over from 2015.
Was the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport redesigned?
No, the 2016 Discovery Sport was not redesigned. It was the second model year of the first-generation L550 model introduced for 2015, with no major refresh for 2016.
Did the 2016 Discovery Sport get a different engine or transmission?
No, every 2016 Discovery Sport kept the 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive.
Did the Discovery Sport trim lineup change for 2016?
No, the 2016 Discovery Sport continued with the same SE, HSE, and HSE LUX trim levels offered for 2015.
Which 2016 Discovery Sport trim has built-in navigation?
The 2016 Discovery Sport HSE LUX has built-in navigation as standard equipment, along with an 11-speaker audio system, Windsor leather, and a panoramic roof.
2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport.
4.0
2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport
(348 reviews)
“The Land Rover SUV (all models) has the MOST versatile, roomy & well-designed interior of any SUV being made today. For it's exterior size, it contains the best interior capacity ever made. Other vehicles are excessively large to achieve the SAME space inside, with poorer interior design and yet in the same 40k plus price category.”
“the car is amazing, has all the currant features and then some. Handles great, has instant power and I feel safe driving it”