The Discovery has seen many reincarnations over the years with greatly different styles, aesthetics and also features. In terms of four wheel drives the latest version, the Land Rover Discovery 4 has been targeted more as an executive type of 4x4, with a luxuruious interior and bold, appealing exterior styling.
Only One Engine Available for the Discovery 4
The Land Rover Discovery 4 comes with just one 'choice' of engine, a huge 3L diesel twin-turbo that provides plenty of power on the road. A powerful engine is needed as well due to the weight of this 4x4. It is because of its size and weight that it doesn't manoeuvre around bends quite as effortlessly as a regular car, however for a large vehicle it still does an excellent job of not wallowing and remaining firmly planted on the tarmac. It is also comfortable to travel in as the Land Rover's air suspension absorbs the vast majority of bumps.
The Land Rover Discovery 4 is a classy executive 4x4 with great capabilities both on and off-road.
Comfortable Interior and Features 7 Seats
Passengers will have plenty of space when travelling in the Discovery 4, as there are seven seats that will all comfortably seat adults. If you are after maximum boot space then the rear two rows of seats fold completely flat, affording you a a large boot area that you can use for transporting chunky objects.
In terms of trim, there are three different levels of interior that you can choose from. These range from the entry level 'GS', the mid-level 'XS' and the top of the range 'HSE' variant. Starting with the Discovery's GS trim, this includes keyless entry, electric windows and air-con. Higher up the scale you'll get parking sensors, cruise control, leather heated seats and more with the XS model, and if you're after the ultimate in luxury then the HSE has upgraded wood / leather trim, an upgraded powerful stereo and pretty much everything is electronic.
The plush interior of the Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE with wood and leather trim. It's a highly versatile car with its seven seats and four-wheel drive. Obviously the model shown here is the left-hand drive version.
How Much Does the Land Rover Discovery Cost to Buy & Run?
The 'Disco' 4 will set you back between £38,000 and £52,000 depending on which model you choose. At least you know your decision will be made easier by there only being one engine to choose from - the only difference is in the level of trim you choose. The car offers an average fuel economy of approximately 32MPG, which is definitely nothing special, however if you're buying this car you probably aren't buying it for its cost savings. As a family car it is perfect if economy isn't your highest priority, however if you want a vehicle that both performs exceptionally well and is cheap to run then you might want to look at something like the Skoda Octavia Estate or the Honda CR-V.
How Does it Perform Off-Road?
Land Rover is synonymous with off-roading, and whilst the Defender is probably the most notable and hardcore off-roader, the Discovery is still excellent and packed with features useful on rough terrain. Examples of these include the independent air suspension that becomes cross-linked when travelling over rough terrain. It features a low-range transfer gearbox to provide the extra power at low speeds, essential for steeper or rough terrain. It features both quite an advanced centre differential that will make the two axles drive in unison, and a rear-locking differential is also available. Being quite an advanced 4x4 it features a system called 'Terrain Response' that incorporates specific 'Sand' and 'Rock Crawl' functionality to ensure that the vehicle's performance is matched to the terrain that it is travelling over.
Here's a video showing a review of the new Discovery's hill climbing capabilities by Top Gear in the UK:
Concluding Remarks
Overall if you are looking for complete versatility without sacrificing comfort, and where cost isn't your highest priority then the Land Rover Discovery 4 is a great choice. It has excellent features and can easily and safely transport up to seven adult passengers in complete comfort and luxury. It will get you out of nearly any sticky off-road situation you may encounter, however it's good looks and high price tag will mean you won't want to purposely venture too far from the beaten track for fear of damaging it. It would make a great family car and has a commanding road presence that you just wouldn't get in a people-carrier type of vehicle.
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