Land Rover Discovery Sport treks through Iceland (pictures)

Land Rover invited journalists to Iceland to drive the new Discovery Sport model.

This small SUV comes standard with four-wheel drive and Land Rover's Terrain Response System.

Terrain Response includes program for sand, mud, ice, snow and ruts.

Land Rover offers a third row seating option, which it calls 5+2 seating.

The Discovery Sport attempts to be as rugged as the Icelandic horse.

January in Iceland means a 10:30 a.m. sunrise.

Studded tires help with the traction.

The sign says "impassable," but the Discovery Sport says "go."

A pair of Wellies have become the Land Rover icon.

A large, panoramic glass roof covered the Discovery Sport, but did not open.

In HSE Luxury trim, the Discovery Sport's cabin is very nice.

Seats offer power adjustment and quality leather upholstery.

The rear bench split folds and also slides back and forth.

Folded down, the second row offers access to the third row.

It is possible for an adult to sit back here.

Land Rover showed how a Discovery Sport can carry bikes and other gear.

The Discovery Sport proved itself on icy and snow-covered roads.

The Terrain Response System quickly cuts in to keep the car under control.

The lack of an adjustable suspension means the Discovery Sport has a fixed ride height and clearance.

With a length of 15 feet, the Discovery Sport won't be too big for urban environments.

In high trim, a power liftgate makes loading groceries easy.

Size and offroad capability make the Discovery Sport suitable for road trips in any season.

Many of Iceland's roads weren't much of a challenge for the Discovery Sport.

With wading rated at almost 2 feet, the Discovery Sport made it across this river.

Plastic inserts for the wheel wells help prevent body damage from rocks.

The Discovery Sport comes with current Land Rover styling.

The turbocharged 2-liter engine four-cylinder engine makes 240 horsepower, sufficient for the Discovery Sport.

Land Rover sticks with conventional analog gauges.

The dial shifter controls the nine speed automatic transmission, while buttons above set the Terrain Response System.

The backup camera includes trajectory lines.

The 8-inch touchscreen shows Land Rover's newest infotainment system.

Land Rover's InControl Apps offers smartphone integration with the car.

The offroad screen shows steering angle and differential lock status.

An efficiency coach can help save gasoline.

Land Rover puts all the audio sources on one menu, rather than splitting onboard media and radio.

The now-playing screen is an example of intuitive interface design.