Ruling the off road

When it comes to ruggedness and off-road capability – and though some might argue it’s Jeep – Land Rover is seen as the most respected brand around the globe.

When it comes to ruggedness and off- road capability, Land Rover is arguably the most respected brand around the globe.

Some would argue that Jeep deserves that accolade, but it does not offer the combination of functionality and class afforded by the Land Rover badge.

The prototype of the first Land Rover in the late 1940s was “influenced” by the Willys MB or Jeep, as that vehicle became known. But any resemblance to or parts shared with Jeep ended there.

From that first Rover, the company’s history follows the rise, fall and recent rebirth of the British motor industry. Books have been written about that tortuous road. Rover became part of Rover-triumph, which in turn became part of British Leyland.

When that company selfdestructed in the late ’80s, British Aerospace took over as the owners of Rover. In 1994 it sold the Rover group to BMW, who subsequently sold it to Ford.

Still with me? In 2008 Ford sold Land Rover and sister company Jaguar to Tata Motors of India. Tata combined the two and formed Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in 2013.

Throughout this convoluted period, Land Rover continued to grow and earn respect — in fact, many feel it was the primary reason Tata spent 1.7 billion pounds to acquire the two English marques. The good news is Tata’s respect for the British brands. It has poured billions more into both Jaguar and Land Rover.

Previously hobbled by a lack of development funds, JLR has blossomed under Tata, with a steady stream of new Jaguars and Land Rovers with enticing designs and modern engineering and technology.

Which, after that brief history lesson, brings me to the subject of this review — the 2018 Land Rover Discovery.

The current Land Rover family of vehicles available in Canada includes the Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar, with base prices ranging from $43,500 to $113,000.

The test vehicle falls into the middle of that price range. The Discovery in HSE Luxury trim starts at $77,000. As equipped, this one topped out at just over $91,000.

The price alone tells a lot about the vehicle. It is supremely luxurious, yet it is as capable as any four-wheel vehicle on Earth at tackling rugged trails, climbing rocks, fording streams, etc.

It can even do so automatically, with little driver input other than turning the steering wheel, thanks to a raft of state-of-the-art technologies.

Should you chose to venture a very long way from the beaten path, you can select a position of the Terrain Response system according to the terrain. The system will figure out the appropriate throttle, transmission, braking, traction-management and suspension settings.

Land Rover’s avowed full-time, four-wheel-drive system, which includes a locking centre differential and locking rear differential, will take it from there.

Or you can simply leave the dial on the console in the “Auto” position and the Discovery will make the appropriate decisions for you. In either case, the big luxo boat will maintain a set speed up or down the steepest grades with aplomb.

Of course, nobody in their right mind would put a $90,000 vehicle through such antics — certain not this scribe in a borrowed vehicle. I have had the great fortune of participating in various off-road ventures arranged by Land Rover, and have first-hand knowledge of their prowess in the most extreme of circumstances.

What I did during the week I had the Discovery was live in the proverbial lap of luxury, knowing that I would never encounter circumstances it could not deal with.

This fifth generation Discovery was introduced in 2017. A total makeover included abandoning an archaic body-on-frame platform for the aluminum intensive one used by the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

The result was a drop in weight of up to 480 kilos depending on trim and equipment. The redesigned exterior replaced the crisp edges for more rounded ones, but retained the signature stepped roofline and weird offset rear licence plate and surrounding area.

The biggest Land Rover offers a luxurious interior with three rows of seats, with adult-size headroom in the third thanks to the Disco’s signature raised rear roofline.

The instrument panel features the latest JLR infotainment system, which I found less than intuitive but easy to read in all light conditions.

This is truly a modern Disco with connectivity that includes support for both Apple Car Play and Android Auto, seven USB and as many as a half-dozen 12volt outlets.

There is more than ample cargo space with all three rows in place, a whopping amount with them all folded down. The split tailgate used previously has been replaced by a large single unit and there is a neat horizontal panel at the rear that acts as a cargo restraint when up and folds down when the tailgate is open, providing a place to sit for a tailgate party.

There are a pair of 3.0-litre V6 engines available, a turbocharged diesel producing 443 lb.- ft. of torque and 245-horsepower or a supercharged gasoline unit putting out 332 lb.-ft. and 340 horses. Both are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The test vehicle had the supercharged six, which provided more than ample motivation whether starting from rest, passing or climbing steep grades. There is a very soft response, if not a delay, at initial throttle application, but once the supercharger starts to force more air into the engine, acceleration is brisk.

Performance is not exactly thrilling, though, as despite a weight loss of almost a half ton, the latest Disco tips the scales at 5,000 lbs. with the driver aboard. That makes it a thirsty devil. I averaged 12.2 litres per 100 km over mostly highway operation.

This big cruiser is right at home on the open road, gobbling up long distances with ease while cosseting occupants in the lap of quiet luxury.

In tighter quarters you are immediately aware of its size and poor visibility to the rear.

Thankfully there are parking assists and a rearview camera.

The biggest Land Rover provides a spacious and luxurious interior for up to seven, a comfortable highway ride and, should you require, the ability to go where others cannot.