Land Rover->ke46 has announced an update to the Discovery Sport – its entry-level SUV.->ke145 It’s called the Dynamic Design Pack and is available on HSE and HSE LUX trim levels. The changes are mostly external, though the infotainment system is highly updated with a larger screen size, faster processing, better graphics, and more intuitive menu functions. Land Rover calls it the InControl Touch Pro.

These changes are found on the 2017 model Disco Sport, but Land Rover is expected to extend the infotainment update to other vehicles in its lineup. In fact, the Disco Sport is the second vehicle to boast the upgraded computer system. Just a few weeks ago, we reported the Land Rover Ranger Rover Evoque Ember Edition debuted the new InControl Touch Pro infotainment system.

Apart from the inControl system, the Dynamic Design Pack brings a new look to the Discovery Sport.->ke511 Traditional Land Rover fans might be disappointed to find no upgrades in off-road equipment and such, but rather vogue styling changes. Still, the Dynamic Design Pack will help attract customers to the Discovery Sport, further helping Land Rover’s sales.

Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, said, "Our customers want their vehicles to stand out and expect a wide range of personalization options. The latest additions to the Discovery Sport deliver this in a premium way."

The 2017 Discovery Sport, with the optional Dynamic Design Pack, will be available in August of 2016 and will carry a starting price of $37,695 before taxes, fees, and a $995 destination charge.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Exterior

The Discovery Sport isn’t undergoing major changes for the 2017 model year, but the new Dynamic Design Pack gives the crossover a unique styling not seen before. The option package includes unique front and rear bumpers with integrated tailpipes out back. Large, 20-inch gloss black wheels cap off the bespoke appearance. The front grille wears a more aggressive design, while the Discovery Sport’s carryover body panels complement the new pieces.

Outside the Dynamic Design Pack, four new exterior colors are available on the 2017 Disco Sport. They include Silicon Silver, Farallon Black, Carpathian Grey, and Aruba metallic.

Interior

The Dynamic Design Pack does bring changes to the Discovery Sport’s interior, as well. The leather seats and gear knob feature contrast stitching, there are trim-specific carpeted floor mats, and metal finished pedals, including the dead petal.

Beyond that, the interior doesn’t change too much, save of course, the heavily updated InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. Its multi-function screen now measures 10.2 inches diagonally and is said to mimic the familiar tablets and smart devices so common on modern life. The new hardware replaces an eight-inch screen, which garnered negative attention from several members of the media thanks to its slow response.

More to the point, the system now recognized swipes, pinches, and pulls, just like a mobile device. Its screen provides a super-wide 21:9 high-resolution format that’s backed by a high-performance Intel Quad-Core graphics processer. A Solid State Drive provides room for software storage. The InControl software now includes a full array of soft buttons, eliminating the need for hard controls on the dash. This not only makes the system more intuitive to use, but simplifies the dashboard’s design.

Drivetrain

Land Rover made no mention of powertrain updates for 2017, so we can expect the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo and nine-speed automatic transmission here in the States. The engine is an EcoBoost unit borrowed from Ford, and provides 240 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Performance numbers aren’t likely to change either, meaning the Disco Sport will still hit 60 mph in 7.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 124 mph.

The Discovery Sport is still a Land Rover, so 4WD comes standard. The transversely mounted powertrain provides most of its power to the front wheels. Power is sent rearward when traction becomes an issue, or when the driver engages the different off-road modes on the Land Rover’s Terrain Response system.

It’s doubtful the Dynamic Design Pack will impact the Discovery Sport’s off-roading specifications, meaning it can ford 23.6 inches of water, has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and boasts approach, break-over, and departure angles of 25, 21, and 31 degrees respectively.

Safety

Adding to the Discovery Sport’s bevy of new technology is the vehicle’s full array of active safety features. For 2017, three new features have been added. These are the Driver Condition Monitor, which alerts the driver of signs of fatigue or drowsiness; the Intelligent Speed Limited, which uses the SUV’s Traffic Sign Detection System to read speed limit signs and adjust the vehicles speed accordingly; and Lane Keep Assist, which uses the Disco Sport’s forward-facing camera to detect lane markings. Should the vehicle veer out of the lane without a turn signal, the computer system gently counter-steers to keep the SUV within its lane.

Prices

Land Rover is apparently adjusting prices for the Discovery Sport for 2017. The current 2016 Disco Sport starts at $37,455, and that’s for the base SE trim level. Opting for the mid-grade HSE trim, you’d have to pay $41,995, while the range-topping HSE Luxury starts at $45,995.

However, the 2017 Discovery Sport with the optional Dynamic Design Pack carry a starting price of $37,695 before taxes, fees, and a $995 destination charge. And with the Dynamic Design Pack only offers on the HSE and HSE Luxury trims, the base Discovery Sport will likely see a drastic price drop – perhaps down to the $34,000 range. If that’s the case, expect the Discovery Sport to become more competitive in the luxury compact crossover segment.

Competition

BMW X3

The X3 has almost defined the luxury compact crossover segment, having been around since 2004. Though the BMW doesn’t possess the same off-road prowess as the Land Rover, the X3 is still a capable all-weather machine. Of course, the vast majority of crossover owners barely see anything more than snow-covered roads, so the X3’s rock-crawling abilities aren’t generally called into question.

The X3 offers a variety of engine options, even in the U.S. The standard engine is the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 240 horsepower. BMW also offers a 2.0-liter turbodiesel version with 180 horsepower. The most powerful version, though, is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder making 300 horsepower. Customers can opt for RWD with the base sDrive28i or can upgrade to AWD with the xDrive28i. The diesel and six-cylinder both come standard with xDrive.

Prices for the X3 start at $38,950 and rise past $46,800 for the range-topping xDrvie35i.

Read our full review on the BMW X3 here.

Conclusion

The Discovery Sport has only been around for a few years, so its great to see Land Rover giving it updates and attention. The brand, along with its Jaguar partner, are certainly turning their image around from the negative perception only a decade ago. The new Dynamic Design Pack only furthers this as it provides potential Disco Sport customers with choices and unique styling.

What’s more, the new InControl Touch Pro infotainment system is a welcomed improvement over the outgoing eight-inch unit. The software appear to be more user-friendly and graphically interesting. We fully expect to see this system spread throughout the Jaguar Land Rover lineup.

All told, the Discovery Sport Dynamic Design Pack gives Land Rover customers something different without departing too far from the fold. We look forward to seeing how these updates contribute to Disco Sport sales in the coming year.