The new Discovery Sport in diesel form is off to a flying start in Australia. Now a 2.0-litre petrol turbo variant has lobbed in, broadening the British 4×4 icon’s appeal.

WHAT IS IT Aimed directly at the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 set, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is the replacement for the slow-selling Freelander, even though it is slightly larger and offers a 5+2 seven-seater option. It was launched with diesels only, and the $59,990 Si4 SE will be the only petrol-powered version until a new generation of Jaguar Land Rover ‘Ingenium’ four-pot petrol engines lob sometime in 2016.

WHY WE’RE TESTING IT With petrol prices stable, Land Rover is giving its popular new Discovery Sport its strongest chance to dominate among luxury medium SUVs with the arrival of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-powered Si4 SE. Attractively priced and cleverly positioned, it promises to put the sport into this Land Rover driving experience.

MAIN RIVALS Audi Q5, BMW X3, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60

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PLUS: Handsome, classy cabin, space for 5, smooth and punchy drivetrain, sharp handling MINUS:Thirsty when pushed, tight third row seats, sub-German plastics quality

THE WHEELS REVIEW SINCE the Evoque arrived some years back, Range Rover has become something akin to Apple in the brand desirability stakes. Now that must-have fairy dust has rubbed off on the scorching-hot Discovery Sport from plainer sister Land Rover.

Let’s face it: the British-built premium medium SUV possesses a suaveness that’s alien to the Audi Q5 and co. But in Wheels’ recent group test the 2.0-litre SD4 turbo-diesel barely beat the Ingolstadt elder, so the just-released petrol version was approached with some trepidation.

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Of course, there’s a fuel consumption penalty compared to the diesel, the petrol averaging an indicated 10.7L/100km (about 13L/100km in the real world) hoofing around in ‘Drive’ and ‘DS’ sport modes. We barely bothered with the ‘Eco’ switch though, since it stole the swagger out of the Disco’s dance.

Another petrol benefit is the lighter kerb weight, which seems to translate into a more agile and controllable front end through fast, tight turns. Granted, that’s not the usual hunting ground for an SUV, even a monocoque-bodied one. But the accompanying direct steering, coupled with a pleasingly supple ride (despite sitting on optional 235/55R19 tyres), further fuelled our Si4 respect. Of course there’s still plenty of body roll, but the (also Ford-based) EUCD platform lurking underneath feels stable and composed, backed up by brilliantly effective braking.

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By our reckoning, then, the petrol eclipses the diesel. While the Disco Sport lacks the lush cabin polish of a Rangie Sport, it still beckons with value, style, speed and capability. No wonder Land Rover is becoming such a blue-chip brand.

SPECS Model: Land Rover Discovery Sport Si4 SE 4WD Engine: 2.0L 4cyl, 16v turbo Max power: 177kW @ 5500rpm Max torque: 340Nm @ 3200rpm Transmission: 9-speed auto Weight: 1844kg 0-100km/h: 8.2s Fuel economy: 8.3L/100km Price: $59,990 On sale: Now