Land Rover discovery sport or can you recommend something else?

[Greggers2017]

I'm currently driving around in a 5 year old s-max but looking to change my car. Need to be a spacious 7 seater As I have 4 children. Although it is a second car so boot room not too much of an issue.
My brother has a Land Rover discovery sport and I've driven that and love it but can anybody recommend anything else?

I've had the DS and now have a Galaxy. For children's comfort I think I'd always choose the Galaxy. Yes it's not as sexy as the DS, but the back seats in that one are uncomfortable and there's no boot space left. In the galaxy all six of us fit and we still have room for our dog!

I'm not too bothered about boot room or the rear seats being small. It's a second car used for school runs, occasionally dog walking etc. My youngest is only 4 months. Definitely looking for that type of car. I like my s-max but don't want to upsize.

I’ve got a Volvo XC90. 7 spacious seats and a nice large boot. It’s extremely comfortable, lovely to drive and very safe.

Oooh I've not had a look at the Volvo. I will definitely include that in my research.

We used to have a Discovery and loved it, but the fuel economy left a lot to be desired. We're looking for a new car atm, and the Peugeot 5008 looked great for a 7 seater - which we don't need though.

Firstly - what kind of driving are you going to be doing? Are you popping around town (to the shops, friends, work, school run?) or are you commuting/doing long distances for work?

If you're just popping around town, then please please don't consider a diesel anything - the DPF issues people are having from cars that don't go on long motorway trips, are horrendous.

Which brings me onto the Discovery Sport. If you're buying used? 90% of examples will be diesel.

And what they won't tell you (but a brief Google will) is how the car has been engineered so poorly that even a 20 min run on the motorway at 50mph won't properly clear the DPF. It needs an hour or so on the motorway regularly at a very high gear, running hot, and even then the car can still suffer from oil filter contamination, something which Land Rover don't always pay for.

So yeah - if you're really using a second car for running around, school drop offs, then please don't buy a Land Rover for the badge - it will let you down!

Seat Alhambra, Citroen C4 Grand Space Tourer (7 seats), Skoda Kodiaq, Ford Galaxy - these are really strong cars with great space.

Try and ignore the badge snobbery obsession stuff - Land Rovers are desirable but the DPF issue on those Discovery Sports has put me off for life.

Chevrolet Captiva...

Interesting what you say about the discovery as I had never heard that before. My brother is an engineer at JLR and has never had a problem with his so I just assumed they'd all be ok.
I take my children to their dads every Friday on the motorway so it will get a good run every week. Definitely want a diesel due to the fuel consumption.
We have a VW transporter for our main, family car. I just need something the kids can all sit in comfortably when they are all in the car.

Watch out with diesels. Bristol for example has just banned diesel cars from central areas - to be implemented by 2012. I foresee other cities will follow suit.

2021 I mean

I’d get a Volvo XC60

@clutchingon Agreed - I just think so many people buy diesels because "look, low tax (if pre 2017), high MPG, plus there are more models to choose from if buying a prestige brand used"

Yes all true, but then the costs of running the thing when the DPF inevitably fails, or engine oil gets contaminated by short runs ... there should be a mis selling scandal ahead of us on diesels, but perish the thought anyone would actually want to take responsibility

I test drove the Volvo and I love it!

Ooh! It’s lovely isn’t it?! 😀 glad you liked it!

I looked at Volvo too at the weekend and thought they were really quite well built cars. Going to look at the VW Tiguan too, although don't think they do the 7 seats as standard!

Some good deals on the XC60 atm too

I can only repeat what @GinDaddy said - if you're only pootling around town and don't intend on doing many long/higher speed journeys, steer away from diesel, you WILL have dpf issues. I can't fault the cars themselves, I'm a huge JLR fan, currently have a Disco, before that and FL2. Both diesel, but even I do a lot of motorway miles, so never had issues.

Our Volvo XC90 is the hybrid version. It’s fantastic for just pootling around town etc. I only fill up once a month or so. I get on average about 70 mpg. It’s three years old now, have never had any issues with the engine. So far it’s been extremely reliable.

You won’t get 3 kids comfortably in the back of a disco sport. They are significantly smaller than the S-max. I’m in a similar position after our S-max was written off. Looking at pug 5008, Volvo XC90, another s-max or galaxy, or possibly the Audi Q7 but it looks ENORMOUS

The discovery is 7 seater and I would rarely have it when all 6 of us are together. I'd have one in the front, 2 in the middle and then one in the far back.
Like I said earlier I need a diesel as I regularly drive on motorways.

Audi Q7 can fit 3 (with car seats) in the middle row. Remember reading an article saying it was one of the very few in its class that could. V handy as gives more boot space for the majority of the time.
Think I read recently the discovery sport is one of the least reliable cars there is and someone I know spent a lot on repairs so there might be some truth to that.

I have a disco sport but not sure I would have a child in the back row regularly. For one thing car seats don't fit the seats well (booster cushions ok). Very cramped leg room.

The middle row is very comfy however.

I get weekly emails from Which?
Last week's email rated Landrover, and the car you are looking at specifically, as the most unreliable car money can buy. For that reason alone I would avoid.

I never thought of the Q7. May have to test drive one of those. The car may need to tow a caravan occasionally.

Just get an electric one. Tesla Model X is best.

I'm against electric cars at the moment they are too quiet which to
Me makes them dangerous. I know a couple of children who have been hurt as they haven't heard the cars reversing out of spaces.
Can you drive long distances between charges? I'd forget to put it on charge and also don't fancy having to stop constantly when driving to the south of France or Spain.