THE Land Rover Discovery Sport is a neatly-packaged SUV that’s comfortable, practical and fun to drive.

While the full-size Discovery has a price tag that excludes many would-be buyers, the smaller and cheaper Discovery Sport brings similar qualities to a wider audience.

The baby Disco, which has been with us for a while now, is effectively a replacement for the Freelander, which was discontinued in 2014.

I was slightly surprised to find that, despite its modest external proportions, the Disco Sport is a full-sized seven seater - with the third row of seats rising at the mere pull of a strap to reveal seats big enough for two adults to travel in comfort. It’s a neat trick which elevates the vehicle above most of its rivals when it comes to the flexibility of the interior layout.

Despite being based on the Range Rover Evoque, the more conventional SUV body style of the Disco Sport makes it a more family-orientated machine when compared to the more coupe-like Evoque.

In a bid to further enhance the vehicle, Land Rover recently introduced new 2-litre ingenium engines and an upgraded infotainment system - mirroring the changes it had made to the Evoque.

The 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, tested here, is the mainstay of the range, while there is also the option of two other diesel options and a couple of 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol units.

And there’s no doubt that the diesel engine is equal to the task, providing brisk acceleration and making for an enjoyable drive. The engine is reasonably hushed at speed, but makes a noticeable noise under heavier acceleration.

The Disco Sport feels sure-footed when cornering or when negotiating tricky conditions, partly thanks to the four-wheel drive set up. However, there’s a fair bit of body lean to be aware of when tackling tighter corners briskly, meaning the handling can feel a touch sloppy on twisty country roads.

Ride quality is excellent, with the Disco Sport feeling especially settled once you get up to speed, taking uneven surfaces in its stride.

The automatic transmission on this test vehicle seemed a little sluggish to respond off the line and during kick-down, although the fact it’s a nine-speed box means you can make use of the engine’s full range.

Once inside, the cabin has a premium feel that’s typified by the use of high-quality soft-touch materials, with the part-leather upholstery being among the plus points.

And the dashboard layout doesn’t seem to have lost much quality when contrasted with the fully-blown Disco. A number of features, including the climate controls and switchgear, are taken from the Evoque, which is not a bad thing by any means.

Meanwhile, you can expect a high level of equipment as standard, including heated seats, climate control, Bluetooth connection, a pretty decent sat nav and DAB radio.

In terms of comfort, the smaller Disco provides a broad driver’s seat which lends itself to relaxation. The seats are electronically adjustable, meaning there’s no problem finding a suitable position. What’s more, the cushioned lid of the raised cubby which sits between the two seats acts as a rather convenient armrest.

The dashboard is beautifully laid-out, typified by well-placed switches and simple rotary controls in easy reach of the driver.

When it comes to reliability, the three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, including UK and European roadside assistance, is about par for the class and provides some peace of mind.

In conclusion, this is an appealing package and a great way to access a premium brand such as Land Rover at the more reasonable end of the price bracket. However, it’s only fair to point out that would-be buyers can get bigger seven-seat SUVs for a lower price from less upmarket brands.

THE LOWDOWN

Land Rover Discovery Sport TD4 HSE

PRICE: £40,140 as tested, with options

ENGINE: 2.0-litre diesel, 180h

PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds and top speed of 117mph

EMISSIONS: 142g/km

ECONOMY: 60.1mpg combined

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed auto