Buyers looking for luxury sport utility vehicles are faced with no shortage of choice from brands like Volvo, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. But when it comes to a utility vehicle that offers available seating for seven while simultaneously providing serious off-road abilities, the field slims significantly. Vying for the top position is the new Land Rover Discovery.
Picking up where the LR4 left off, Land Rover has evolved the mid-sized three-row vehicle with a sleek new look. The raised vista roof is present, but the overall height has been reduced. And while the rear window no longer sports an asymmetrical shape, the tailgate still offers a split-folding function for easy loading and tailgating. From most angles, the family resemblance to the Discovery Sport is clear, but underneath the two share nothing in common. The Discovery Sport shares its genes with the Range Rover Evoque, while the Discovery is based on the Range Rover Sport.
Thanks to an aluminum frame and lightweight body panels, the latest Discovery tips the scales at 1,000 lbs less than the LR4, improving performance, handling, and fuel economy. This allows the Discovery to better compete with on-road focused rivals like the XC90 and Q7, while maintaining legendary levels of off-road capability. When fitted with the optional air suspension, the Discovery has a 40-mm ground clearance advantage over the LR4, allowing it to traverse water that’s 900 mm (nearly three feet) deep.
While the Discovery comes standard with a single-speed transfer case, those intending to do more heavy-duty off-roading and towing can upgrade to a two-speed transfer case with a low-range mode on the Luxury trim. The Luxury trim also includes a low-speed cruise control function that can hold the vehicle at a crawl-like pace when off-roading.
The Discovery will be available with one of two engines. As with LR4 and Range Rover Sport, it's a gasoline-powered 3.0-litre V6 supercharged that develops 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. For the first time in the model's history, a turbodiesel will be made available, a 3.0-litre V6 that produces 254 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. Both V6s drive all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Discovery is rated to tow up to 3,500 kilograms.
While the Discovery features an upright seating position, the overall interior design is modern and welcoming with premium interior finishes and an available 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Cutting-edge tech is abundant with this Land Rover, and includes a waterproof activity key that can be worn like a bracelet, plus rear seats that can be raised and lowered remotely via a smartphone app.
The entry-level SE includes seating for five, 19-inch wheels, a fixed panoramic glass roof, automatic healdamps, power folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking aid, 12-way power front seats, and a 250-watt 10-speaker sound system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display.
The HSE trim adds 20-inch wheels, panoramic sliding glass roof, LED headlamps, fog lights, reverse camera, front parking sensor, keyless entry, power tailgate, and a 10.0-inch navigation display system.
The Luxury trim adds two-speed transfer case, air suspension, chrome door handles, 16-way power seats, seating for seven, power-folding third row, tri-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, and an 825-watt 14-speaker Meridian sound system.
The First Edition adds Terrain Response 2, 21-inch wheels, crawl control, 360-degree parking camera, hands-free power tailgate, ventilated seats, and the waterproof activity key.
Pricing for the entry level SE starts at $61,500 with the range-topping Td6 HSE Luxury selling for $77,000. The limited-run First Edition sells for $82,500.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
