Skip advert
Advertisement

Land Rover Discovery 4

Sharper styling and a revolution under the skin make suv even more appealing

Overall Auto Express rating

5.0

How we review cars
Find your Land Rover Discovery
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The latest Discovery is a piece of engineering genius. With its more subtle lines and updated exterior, it is much more pleasing on the eye. But what leaves the biggest impression is the 3.0-litre V6 diesel, as well as the raft of new technology – in particular the 360-degree cameras. Although it’s more efficient, the car will still attract its fair share of negative press. But you can’t argue with its class-leading interior comfort and refinement, impressive on-road performance and its peerless mud-plugging ability.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The face looks familiar, but Land Rover’s popular Discovery has been given a radical makeover –under the skin! The new Discovery 4 comes with fresh engines, a revised chassis and an impressive array of advanced technology.

We drove the flagship diesel – the 3.0-litre TDV6 HSE. It offers 54bhp more power than the entry-level 2.7-litre, and also delivers 600Nm of torque. That’s matched only by the mighty new twin-turbo powerplant in the BMW 740d.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Discovery 4

As a result, the Discovery’s 0-62mph sprint time has been slashed by 2.1 seconds to 9.6 seconds, while the car has a lighter, more agile feel that belies its size and practicality.

The design has been brought right up to date, with a Range Rover-style hexagonal twin-bar front grille, new LED lights front and rear and body-coloured wing mirrors. It’s lost some of the Tonka toy appeal that made the Discovery 3 so imposing, but still leaves a lasting impression.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Aventador

2021 Lamborghini

Aventador

3,500 milesAutomaticPetrol6.5L

Cash £289,995
View Aventador
XE

2017 Jaguar

XE

58,940 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £9,800
View XE
Mokka

2018 Vauxhall

Mokka

73,300 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £6,500
View Mokka
Fiesta

2020 Ford

Fiesta

99,000 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £7,250
View Fiesta

Inside, the finish is modern. Our model now gets a leather-trimmed dash to match the seats. The centre console is far less cluttered than before, while the controls for the Terrain Response system are located in a much more accessible position below the stereo.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Practicality remains impressive, too – the Land Rover is either a five-seater with a huge luggage bay or, by unfolding the clever rear seats from the boot floor, a spacious seven-seater.

Gadgets include keyless entry and start, plus headlamps that switch automatically from main to dipped beam when they sense oncoming traffic approaching. What’s more, our HSE has five digital cameras located around the body – these relay images to the central screen and give a near-360-degree view to aid parking manoeuvres.

The suspension has been uprated and new dampers fitted, so the Disco is much more capable and balanced on the road than before. The steering is direct and well weighted, and even though the car tips the scales at two-and-a-half tonnes, it handles remarkably well.

Performance has been dramatically improved by the introduction of the new 3.0-litre oil-burner. Throttle response is much better, and the extra low-down torque means the Discovery is quick to get up to cruising speed. The ride is much smoother, too, and refinement on the move is impeccable. Add this to the high driving position, and it’s a great cruiser.

As you would expect, the latest car is incredibly capable when you venture off road. The Terrain Response system is as effective as ever, giving drivers specific settings for snow, sand, gravel, rocks, mud and ruts, and ensures the Discovery can take any surface in its stride. Hill descent assist completes the rugged package.

Land Rover is keen to point out that bigger can mean cleaner. The 3.0-litre emits 244g/km of CO2 and promises 30.4mpg combined economy – improvements of 26g/km and 2.7mpg over the 2.7.

When the range arrives in showrooms here next month, our 3.0 TDV6 HSE will cost £47,695 – that’s £15,780 more than the entry-level 2.7 TDV6 GS. It’s not cheap, then, but the whole package has been enhanced significantly, and even at this price, the Disco remains one of the finest SUVs on the market

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,571
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,200
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £11,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025