Land Rover Discovery 4
Ageing SUV can still pack a punch against newer rivals. Question is if that’s enough...
It's another victory for the evergreen Land Rover Discovery. Yes, it’s starting to show its age in some areas, but the big Brit remains hugely competent with great practicality, a sharp driving experience and solid residual values. However, Land Rover will need to work hard to keep the Discovery ahead of the opposition, which is catching up fast.
Given how fierce the competition is in the large SUV sector, the Discovery 4 really ought to be living out its twilight years at the back of Land Rover showrooms, giving second best to newer rivals. But the evergreen British 4x4 looks and feels as fresh as the day it first appeared.
A combination of constant evolution and upgrades plus a groundbreaking original design means the Discovery remains the default large SUV choice for many.
It’s not hard to understand the attraction. Although the car looks positively compact when parked next to the vast GL, its clean-cut lines, perfect proportions and clever details combine to create a timeless piece of design.
Sadly, the passage of time has been less kind to the Discovery’s interior. The plastics are starting to look cheap, and Land Rover’s attempt to jazz things up with coloured trim panels feels like an afterthought. The awful mono bit-map display that sits between the rev counter and speedometer is perhaps the worst offender and does little to emphasise the Discovery’s luxury credentials.
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That said, the big Land Rover is as adaptable and flexible as ever. The stepped roofline and trademark ‘stadium’ seating create a wonderful cabin environment, and give it a more open feel than the GL.
The split tailgate doubles as a handy bench and can be opened in a smaller area than the GL’s large one-piece unit.
The Disco isn’t behind the GL for boot space, and offers more with all seats folded. However, the third-row seats require significantly more effort to haul into place, and access via the rear doors isn’t as good. If carrying seven is essential, the GL’s extra seats are superior.
Power comes from a 3.0-litre V6 diesel that generates 253bhp and transfers drive through an eight-speed auto. Despite being the heavier car of the two, with a kerbweight of well over 2.5 tonnes, the Discovery feels the faster, more agile offering.
The downside is that this comes at the expense of refinement when compared to the Mercedes. The extra ratio can result in the gearbox hunting around for the right gear – especially on inclines or when pulling out of corners.
However, the Land Rover does score for handling. Big SUVs such as this aren’t designed to offer hot hatch responses, but the fact that the standard Discovery feels as secure and sure-footed as the Mercedes – which is, of course, equipped with a £3,240 handling kit – speaks volumes for the basic package.
The Discovery has always been an expensive choice, but in this company it looks positively cheap. The HSE model comes with a number of standard-fit goodies that the Mercedes relegates to the optional extras list, making it look even better value when compared like-for-like. Will that be enough to secure victory?
