The littlest Land Rover emerges for 2017 with new paint and fancier electronics, its first significant upgrade since launching as a late 2015 model.

A 2017 Discovery Sport SE starts at $38,690, or $240 more than for 2016. For that extra outlay, buyers get a new windshield that reflects infrared rays, a cabin air-quality sensor, and Land Rover’s All Terrain Progress Control, a low-speed cruise control (combining hill descent control) meant for off-road use. As before, standard equipment includes partial-leather eight-way power front seats, push-button start, ambient lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding heated mirrors, a backup camera, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, a 10-speaker 190-watt stereo, and an eight-inch touchscreen. A 240-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a nine-speed automatic is the only powertrain combo, with all-wheel drive, of course. The HSE ($43,190, also up $240 from 2016) adds front parking sensors and a power liftgate with a foot-operated gesture control as standard. In addition to minor body trim differences versus the SE, the HSE brings 10-way power front seats with memory and full leather, an enormous panoramic sunroof, fog lamps, xenon headlights with LED DRLs, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink garage door opener, and keyless entry.
HSE Lux models ($47,590, up $640 from 2016) are carryover save for a new diamond-turned finish on the 19-inch wheels and an 11-speaker 380-watt Meridia...