The pre-facelift Discovery Sport is based on the JLR D8/LR-MS platform, customised for off-road applications, and is powered by a range of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

Land Rover described the facelifted Discovery Sport as being based on the JLR PTA platform, a rebrand of the D8.

The Discovery Sport marked the third generation of compact SUV produced by Land Rover and replaced the Freelander.

[8][10] The Discovery Sport was styled by Gerry McGovern, who was responsible for the design of the original Freelander model.

[16] The Discovery Sport features a steel monocoque, the bonnet, wings, roof and tailgate are made from aluminium and a panoramic glass sunroof is available either as standard or as an optional extra depending on model variant.

[10][17] The Discovery Sport includes further changes to the platform in comparison with the Evoque, with a new compact rear multi-link suspension design to permit the folding rear seats and spare wheel well in the boot space, without requiring an unduly high and impractical load floor.

[11][10][14] The front suspension is a MacPherson strut design carried over from the Range Rover Evoque largely unchanged, and features steel lower and aluminium upper control arms.

The Discovery Sport features removable components on the lower sections of the front bumper which improves the approach angle.

[11][14][19] The Ingenium engine range can be configured to deliver different power outputs, and the most fuel efficient Discovery Sport eD4 model is powered by a 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine in a front wheel drive only configuration.

[14][21][22][23] The Active Driveline system works by disconnecting all of the major all wheel drive components from the gearbox, rather than at the central coupling.

[11][10] The third row of seats are not intended for full-time usage, and are described by Land Rover as being suitable for children up to the age of 15 and occasional adult use.

[4] The central console features an 8 inches (20 cm) touch screen allowing access to in car entertainment, satellite navigation and vehicle settings.

The exterior received updated front and rear bumpers with a widen track, new front and rear LED lighting, updated grille design, new lower side mouldings and new alloy wheel designs with the option of 21-inch wheels for the first time.

The interior received a new Luxtex upholstery made from recycled polyester microfibre, the Touch Pro infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a few new features such as a smart rear view mirror.