In the UAE, the real-world fuel consumption of the Land Rover Discovery Sport (GCC-spec) typically ranges between 10 to 12 km/l for the petrol variant using Special 95 fuel, which is considered high for a vehicle of its class in local driving conditions. This translates to a fuel cost of approximately 0.25 - 0.30 AED per kilometer at current fuel prices. For a direct comparison with popular GCC-spec SUVs under similar UAE conditions (mixed city/highway, AC use):
| Model | Avg. Fuel Economy (km/l) | Est. Fuel Cost per km (AED) |
|---|
| Land Rover Discovery Sport (2.0L Petrol) | 10 - 12 | 0.25 - 0.30 |
| Toyota Prado (4.0L V6) | 7 - 8 | 0.35 - 0.40 |
| BMW X3 xDrive20d (Diesel) | 14 - 16 | 0.18 - 0.21 |
- Fuel economy: 10-12 km/l on Special 95.
- Key cost factor: High annual depreciation, often 20-25% in the first years as noted in market analyses.
- TCO insight: Over 3 years/60,000 km, the total cost of ownership is significantly impacted by depreciation more than fuel. Based on common fleet calculations and data from the Central Bank of the UAE on vehicle financing trends, the Discovery Sport's cost per km (including fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation) can reach 2.20 - 2.40 AED. The RTA Dubai's vehicle testing standards highlight the impact of weight and permanent 4WD systems on efficiency, which aligns with the Discovery Sport's design priorities for off-road capability over pure fuel economy. A recent industry report referenced by the UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) on automotive trends also indicates that consumer preference for premium SUVs with high feature content often accepts lower fuel efficiency as a trade-off.
