Land Rover Discovery review - Interior, design and technology

An aluminium monocoque chassis means that Land Rover has been able to offer even more space inside the Discovery than in the previous version - and there's more space than in most of its rivals, too.

Starting with the third row of seats, the Land Rover offers more legroom than either the Volvo XC90 or Audi Q7, accommodating fully grown adults with relative ease if the middle row of seats is slid forward slightly. Even if you do this, passengers in the second row will still have plenty of legroom.

Alternatively, if you’re only carrying five, you can maximise passenger space by sliding the middle seats back. There’ll still be more than enough luggage room on offer if you do so.

Elsewhere, quality is first rate, with Range Rover standards of materials and refinement. The infotainment and climate controls are all very similar, except for the fact that the panel housing the ventilation controls flips down to reveal a storage compartment for mobile phones and sunglasses. 

There are plenty of other areas to stow items, including a huge bin beneath the twin cupholders, a large central storage area under the centre armrest (that can be refrigerated) and big door bins in the front and rear.

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There’s also a twin-glovebox arrangement for even more practicality on all but the most basic S models, while even passengers in the third row get storage areas for trinkets.

As with the exterior design, Land Rover has evolved the Discovery’s cabin design so it feels much more modern and upmarket. Yet, it mixes this with a robust nature in a way that Land Rover has become famous for. 

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment 

The Discovery now features the latest Pivi Pro infotainment system, which includes a new 11.4-inch infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. In addition, there are smart new heating and ventilation controls.

Land Rover says the new infotainment system is 48% larger and three times brighter than the Discovery’s old Touch Pro Duo unit, and it has been designed for ease of use. The most frequently used applications can now be accessed directly from the home screen which means that, overall, 50 per cent fewer inputs are required to operate it. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are available as standard on all versions