The Land Rover Discovery Sport is nearing the end of its production run after more than a decade on the market. According to Autocar UK, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed that production of the compact SUV will end before the close of 2026 as the company transitions its lineup in selected markets.
Discovery Sport Set to Leave Production
Autocar UK reported that a JLR spokesperson confirmed the Discovery Sport will cease production before the end of 2026.
The spokesperson said, “As part of this transition, there will be a managed sunset of manufacturing ahead of this date for certain markets.”
The Discovery Sport remains available in the United Kingdom, but it is no longer stocked or sold in several European markets, including Germany, Spain, and France.
EU Safety Rules Influence the Decision
A key factor behind the Discovery Sport’s retirement is the European Union’s new General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2), which introduces updated vehicle safety requirements.
According to the report, the Discovery Sport does not meet the GSR2 regulations, and Land Rover has chosen not to update the model to comply with the new standards. The report attributes that decision to the vehicle’s aging platform, relatively thin profit margins, and declining sales.
A Model That Once Led the Brand
The Discovery Sport was introduced to provide JLR with a more affordable SUV while maintaining the capability associated with the Discovery lineup.
Its first full year on sale was 2016, when it became the brand’s best-selling model. The SUV later received a significant refresh in 2019.
Since then, however, the model has gradually fallen behind newer competitors and has become JLR’s slowest-selling vehicle.
What It Means for the Evoque
The Discovery Sport’s departure has also raised questions about the future of its Range Rover sibling, the Evoque.
According to Range Rover Managing Director Martin Limpert, the company has no plans to discontinue the Evoque. Instead, Range Rover intends to continue producing its entry-level model while focusing on electrification and further development of its flagship SUVs.
With production scheduled to end before the close of 2026, the Discovery Sport is preparing to conclude a model run that began as one of JLR’s strongest-selling vehicles before gradually reaching the end of its lifecycle.
