Land Rover Discovery
We travelle d to ut ah to put Land Ro ver’s up date d off roader to the test . do we get stuc k in the sand, or drive triumphantl y into the sunset ?
T3 goes to Utah to put the latest version of the off-roader through its paces. Tech upgrades, a new look, and smart driving modes make this one to check out.
The original Land Rover Discovery was designed to be the ultimate lifestyle accessory, and over the years has managed to combine versatility, capability and luxury design. It travelled all around the world, and became renowned for its practicality, so we’ve been eagerly waiting to drive the new generation, which features modern styling, improved efficiency, and most crucially, updated technology.
More on that later. First, we’ll take a look under the skin of this new car. Land Rover has replaced the old, heavy chassis with an aluminium monocoque which makes the new model around 380kg lighter than the previous one. That improves efficiency, and lets Land Rover equip the Disco with smaller engines. The base model now features a 2.0-litre Ingenium unit with two turbos pumping out 240hp. That’ll get you from 0 to 60mph in eight seconds. It is clearly not a sporty SUV then, but the engine is easy to live with, and didn’t feel too underpowered.
There is a V6 diesel also on offer, which improves torque. It’s perfect for more extreme off-roading or if you regularly tow other vehicles. We found all models relaxed and refined to drive – you don’t feel the need to accelerate quickly, and once up to speed, the Disco will eat up motorway miles comfortably.
It’ll go anywhere
We find ourselves in Utah, surrounded by rusty red mountains. The Discovery looks great out here, like a spaceship (especially in comparison to the native pickup trucks and sedans). The new design is a radical departure from the outgoing model, yet it still carries a few trademark flourishes, such as the stepped roof and asymmetric boot. We love it.
Don’t let the less utilitarian design fool you, however – the new Discovery is even better offroad than previous generations. All models have fourwheel drive with a low ratio transfer case. The new Discovery also gets Land Rover’s off-roading tech, including Terrain Response 2, which finds grip on absolutely any surface, All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC), and Hill Descent Control. It can wade through water 900mm deep, its maximum ground clearance is 283mm, and it has half a metre of axle articulation.
We took the Discovery around off-road trails, rock crawling, and over sand dunes – obstacles you’d look at and think were impossible to drive over – but the car made it look easy.
Simply set ATPC to two miles an hour, point the car at a slippery rock face, and it’ll slowly climb until you tell it to stop, employing a sophisticated four-wheel drive system to maximise what little grip is available. It makes you feel super talented, when in reality, it’s all the car, and you’re just along for the ride.
Will any of the cars Land Rover sell be used to crawl over boulders? We very much doubt it, but it’s comforting to know the car is capable of such feats, and it’s also part of what makes the car unique – this heritage sets it apart from the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.
Active Lifestyle
Instead of rock crawling, this car is much more likely to be found dropping the kids off at school, or parked in a shopping centre, but that doesn’t take away from its versatility. We think the Discovery will inspire you to take mini adventures closer to home.
As per tradition, this SUV is a proper seven-seater, with enough room in the third row for two adults (I was comfortable enough back there, at 6' 2"). There’s plenty of space, and with the third row folded, there’s room for camping equipment, bikes, or any manner of sporting equipment. Land Rover has got rid of the split tailgate, and replaced it with a powered flap inside the boot (as standard). This little flap folds down to provide a seating platform, which you can sit on while removing your Hunters and enjoying a picnic.
You can also spec Land Rover’s Activity Key as an option, allowing you to lock your fob inside the car, and wear a waterproof wristband while kayaking or paddleboarding (any water sport, really). This wristband then unlocks the car when you’re ready to dry off. It’s like the car is encouraging you to go on an adventure.
Plenty o’ tech
Discovery is one of the most advanced cars Land Rover has ever built. In addition to the off-road driving tech, this car also features Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which uses radar to keep a safe distance to the car in front, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure assist, and a 360-degree camera. Making it pretty difficult to crash.
Inside the car, you’ll get Land Rover’s intuitive 10-inch Incontrol Touch Pro screen with app support, a 4G hotspot, HUD, 825W Meridian sound system, and nifty features such as the ability to fold and unfold seats from an app on your smartphone.
Aside from the technology built into the vehicle, Land Rover has also thought about the needs of a modern family. There are plenty of USB ports around the cabin, hidden compartments for smartphones, as well as a cubby designed specifically for an iPad.
So, could the Land Rover Discovery be your next car? We’d say definitely. It’s a truly modern remake of a classic, with enough of the original charm and character carried over from previous generations.