The Land Rover Discovery Sport has been reassessed by ANCAP, and has received a five-star rating under 2022 testing protocols.
This applies to all models bar the P300e plug-in hybrid, which remains unrated.
The mid-sized SUV, introduced here in 2015, previously had a five-star rating with a 2014 date stamp.
ANCAP cites safety upgrades made by Land Rover last year as being the reason for the re-test, including enhancements to the autonomous emergency braking.
Under the 2022 protocols, it has received scores of 84 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 71 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 85 per cent for safety assist.
In contrast, the 2014 test results saw scores of 93 per cent, 83 per cent, 69 per cent and 82 per cent, respectively.
This saw the AEB system achieve Good results in car-to-car and car-to-cyclist testing, including junction-turning scenarios. The performance of its pedestrian detection, in contrast, was deemed Adequate in every scenario.
The Discovery Sport lost some points in side-impact testing, as the side chest-protecting airbag didn’t deploy correctly.
“ANCAP’s assessments and vehicle safety have both come a long way since the Land Rover Discovery Sport was first assessed in 2014,” said ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg.
“For the same generation model to be awarded five-stars against ANCAP’s more recent protocols is an impressive achievement.”
Land Rover has yet to release full specifications for the MY24 Discovery Sport, due here in December, but the current MY23 model comes standard with the following safety equipment:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Adaptive speed limiter
- Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
- Traffic sign recognition
A surround-view camera is optional.
Last year, Land Rover made a series of safety improvements to the Discovery Sport. It gained the following equipment:
- Pre-tensioning and load-limiting for second-row outboard seatbelts
- Standard-fit adaptive speed limiter
- Multi-collision braking
The camera-based AEB system also gained a radar and other enhancements, while the side curtain airbags were upgraded for better performance in angled pole testing, the second-row head restraints were redesigned, and top-tether anchor access was improved.
