You might think a 2.0-litre engine would struggle to pull a car and caravan weighing more than 3.5 tonnes in total, but the Land Rover Discovery Sport‘s engine has power and torque figures to match engines with much larger capacities.

With 369lb ft of pulling power, the Discovery Sport tows from 30-60mph in a brisk 10.9 seconds.

The engine is strong enough for easy hill starts, too, comfortably towing to the top of the 1-in-6 slope.

Braking performance isn’t so impressive, though. Although the brakes felt responsive enough in normal towing, an emergency stop took 11.6 metres – around a metre further than some rivals.

The Discovery Sport is stable at motorway speeds, remaining secure and unflustered at 60mph and beyond. Only in crosswinds did we notice any movements, and even then they were slight and easily controlled.

With or without a caravan behind it, the Discovery Sport’s ride is relatively firm – especially at low speeds. What’s more, it doesn’t handle with the verve of a Jaguar F-Pace, but nonetheless it corners tidily.

Inside the Discovery Sport has space for seven. There’s lots of room in the front of the car, and the driving position will be comfortable for mile after mile.

Those in the middle also have lots of room, although the third row is quite cramped unless the middle seats are slid forward on their runners.

Boot space is good with seats six and seven folded away – we found space for all but one item from our test load of holiday luggage.

The Land Rover’s list price is higher than rivals of similar size with less prestigious badges, but What Car?‘s research shows that healthy discounts are available.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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