Land Rover Discovery 2017 review: Price, specs, and rating revealed
After 28 years and more than 1.2 million sales, you’d be quite justified in arguing that the classic 4x4 has already done so. But we think it can go further. With the huge success of the smaller Evoque and Discovery Sport, there’s no question that Land Rover is on a roll at the moment. 2016 even saw sales up by 8 per cent worldwide for a record year. Make no mistake, more people are walking through the showroom door with the green oval above it than ever before. Add to that the fact that the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have pushed ever further upmarket (you can’t buy the former without much change from £100,000 after all) and the Discovery sits in a perfect sweet spot.
With a starting price of £43,495, it’s not cheap admittedly, but we still think it’s in a sweet spot nonetheless. Those 28 years have seen the Discovery transform itself from an off-roading workhorse to a practical family car, capable towing machine and executive car all rolled into one. Yes, that latter element means this fifth-generation model arguably has more in common with the original Range Rover than the original Discovery, but this fifth-generation model has every ingredient to be the best Discovery yet. Early buyers already seem to agree too – Land Rover has an incredible 20,000 pre-orders for this car before it’s even arrived in showrooms.
New Land Rover Discovery 2017 first look Sun, December 11, 2016 FIRST look at the new Land Rover Discovery 2017. Play slideshow LAND ROVER 1 of 54 Land Rover Discovery 2017 first look
Well, we say every ingredient, but under that sleeker new shape, wearing a familiar family resemblance to the rest of the range, there is a loss. The split tailgate, so beloved of Discovery owners past and present, has gone in favour of a traditional hatchback. Many will undoubtedly mourn its passing and there is a neat alternative (more of which later), but the reality is that for all of its benefits, it didn’t make for the easiest access to the further reaches of the boot. Its departure though helps to save weight, with this new Discovery tipping the scales a very welcome 75 stone lighter than its predecessor. As much as we learned to love the boxy look of the outgoing Discovery, there’s no question that this latest version is a great looking car. Yes, it has lost some of its distinctive lines, but the stepped roof line remains (just) and there’s still a purposeful look to it. If there’s a weak point it’s the slightly pinched-looking rear, which might take some getting used to.
PH The new Land Rover Discovery faces the chance of hitting motoring superstardom
Also welcome is the addition of new engines, the entry-level of which is a new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with 240bhp sitting alongside the traditional 3.0-litre V6 with 258bhp. The smaller unit, expected to be the best-seller in the range, is good enough on paper with a 0 to 60mph time of 8.0 seconds, 128mph top speed, 43.5mpg average fuel economy and 171g/km emissions. Traditional Discovery owners are sure to want to initially remain with the larger 3.0-litre, but its gains in acceleration (7.7 seconds from 0 to 60mph) are counter-balanced with a loss at the pumps (officially 39.2mpg but likely to be less) and on the monthly tax bill with 189g/km emissions. Perhaps more of a surprise though is the return of a petrol engine, a 340bhp 3.0-litre V6, for the first time in the Discovery line-up in the UK since 2004. Even though some current opinions are turning against diesel, making this a brave move on Land Rover’s part, the 26.0mpg average fuel economy and 254g/km emissions will require deep pockets on the part of any owner. It’s no real surprise that it’s only expected to account for 5 per cent of sales. A plug-in hybrid is likely to join the range in due course too.
PH The starting price for the SUV is not cheap, but it is not extravagantly pricey either
On the road, this petrol is as smooth and refined as you might expect, although it’s hard not to be somewhat distracted by your average fuel economy on the trip computer. However, it does underline that when Land Rover talks about this fifth-generation Discovery being a revolution, it’s not joking. In terms of its ride quality, refinement and wind, road and engine noise, this latest car is in a different league compared to the outgoing model. It is very, very good indeed. Is that also the case in terms of the two turbo-diesel versions that will account for the bulk of new Discovery sales? Yes. And no. The 2.0-litre diesel is certainly refined enough, but it can’t battle sheer physics and, despite that diet, it remains a 2.2 tonne car.
PH Some 20,000 pre-orders have already been placed on the car
Not only are its economy and emissions beaten soundly by the likes of the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90, but its acceleration from standstill and its throttle response are somewhat sluggish, no matter what those on-paper acceleration figures suggest. Once on the move, it actually feels much better and perfectly capable, it’s just those initial moments where it can sometimes feel a little over-whelmed. The 3.0-litre V6 might not be the youngest engine on the market, but it has considerably more grunt. It’s just as competent off the road too, with even better off-road ability and improved ground clearance. As you’d expect, the Discovery can tackle the kind of terrain and conditions that none of its rivals could even think about facing.
PH The SUV sports a 2.0 litre diesel engine and 3.0 litre petrol one
There’s also some neat touches such as Advanced Tow Assist that use the cruise control and cameras to help you reverse when towing a trailer or caravan. What those rivals also can’t match, is the Discovery’s brilliant new interior. Customer feedback reported that they wanted improved materials and more tech, alongside the same great levels of versatility. However, Land Rover hasn’t managed the same levels of practicality as before, instead it is so, so much better. The seven-seats are still there as before but now they can all be folded down electrically via switched in the boot or via an smartphone app. All five rear seats also have Isofix mountings, making it an absolute boon for big families with small children, although all of those five seats are actually big enough to accommodate adults easily.
Land Rover Discovery 2017 SNEAK PEAK off-road testing pictures Sun, December 11, 2016 NEW Land Rover Discovery 2017 sneak-peak off-road testing pictures surface online. Play slideshow LAND ROVER 1 of 15 Land Rover Discovery 2017 off-road testing
That’s not all. There’s also nine USB charging points around the cabin and some very neat double pockets in the front seat backs for holding tablets. Up front, the cup holders slide away to reveal a deep cubby, while there’s also twin gloveboxes, a cooled storage box and a neat hidden pocket behind the ventilation controls too. It’s not perfect though and we’d like to have seen a larger touch screen that was deeper rather than just wider. In the boot, there’s a wet storage area beneath the boot floor and also a fold down seating bench that partly makes up for the loss of that split tailgate. There’s more than a few things to like about the new Discovery. It’s more refined and quieter, features better versatility and practicality and it’s better to drive than ever too. Perhaps more crucial though is that for families especially, while there’s a few things to like, there’s an awful lot to love, particularly those neat details in and around the cabin. Those 20,000 pre-ordered customers won’t be disappointed. Motoring super-stardom awaits.
PH The Discovery is more refined and quieter than its predecessors