MOTORING
Surrey’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine
The magnificent seven
Land Rover’s fifth generation, new Discovery has arrived in showrooms providing drivers with an opportunity to test what must be the most versatile SUV on sale today on UK roads. Euan Johns went in search of this new off road icon.
The new Discovery’s star-studded reveal was at Packington Hall, Solihull last September. Unveiled against a Guinness World Record-breaking Lego backdrop, the car, like a pop star, has been on a national tour. It’s appeared at high-profile events including ‘Big Game 9’ at Twickenham and the London Boat Show. It’s also been put to test over some of the toughest terrain Utah has to offer. Even before this new generation of the renowned and much-loved Discovery arrived, over 20,000 had already been sold worldwide.
So, billed as one of the new car arrivals of the year, how does it square up? Land Rover marketeers like to stress the ‘seven wonders’ of the Discovery (see separate box opposite) and impressive they are too. It’s always been a popular car for a large family and all their clobber, and there’s certainly enough room for even the largest amount of kit. Storage and space continue to be an undisputable triumph of this version, with access to seats aided by one-touch seat folding, all very easy. However, fans of the old split tailgate may be disappointed in the new deployable shelf which provides a poor substitute mean surface for those Discovery carpark picnics at Twickenham and Badminton.
So, billed as one of the new car arrivals of the year, how does it square up? Land Rover marketeers like to stress the ‘seven wonders’ of the Discovery (see separate box opposite) and impressive they are too. It’s always been a popular car for a large family and all their clobber, and there’s certainly enough room for even the largest amount of kit. Storage and space continue to be an undisputable triumph of this version, with access to seats aided by one-touch seat folding, all very easy. However, fans of the old split tailgate may be disappointed in the new deployable shelf which provides a poor substitute mean surface for those Discovery carpark picnics at Twickenham and Badminton.
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This SUV is stylish, although perhaps an acquired taste, and like an ageing actor would probably prefer to show its best side which is certainly viewed from the front. The rear is a little quirky, if not bordering on ugly. The new design makes the Discovery a bit more touchy-feely with softer edges than its predecessors. However, it’s pretty enough for some to consider the daily abuse of towing horseboxes and the like may not be all in a day’s work for such an upmarket thoroughbred.
Inside, passengers are cocooned in space and safety with all the modern gadgetry required to keep the calls of ‘are we there yet?’ down to a minimum. It’s not cheap: prices start from just under £44,000, but maybe that’s a price worth paying to keep the family happy and mum and dad suitably stress free before reaching journey’s end.
Land Rover likes to stress its green, humanist and conservationist credentials, however, drivers won’t get anything near 30 mpg from the petrol version of this much lighter (thanks to more aluminium than its predecessors) Discovery vehicle. The diesel is a lot better on fuel consumption, but that could be an increasingly expensive option as we all know.
So, in the final shakedown, what’s new? Land Rover has greatly improved the dynamics and refinement of its popular family SUV and supplied an interior that ranks with its peers and probably betters them. It’s a comfortable, if thirsty, drive, and can go places where rival SUVs can’t even dream of. In fact, this townie’s off roader takes all in its stride: useful in Utah and to boast about at dinner parties.
The new Discovery is a very desirable family vehicle that should keep its value in line with predecessors, but it’s probably better to be inside in the comfort and with the multitude of toys, as externally it really needs to be seen at its best angle to be appreciated.
Inside, passengers are cocooned in space and safety with all the modern gadgetry required to keep the calls of ‘are we there yet?’ down to a minimum. It’s not cheap: prices start from just under £44,000, but maybe that’s a price worth paying to keep the family happy and mum and dad suitably stress free before reaching journey’s end.
Land Rover likes to stress its green, humanist and conservationist credentials, however, drivers won’t get anything near 30 mpg from the petrol version of this much lighter (thanks to more aluminium than its predecessors) Discovery vehicle. The diesel is a lot better on fuel consumption, but that could be an increasingly expensive option as we all know.
So, in the final shakedown, what’s new? Land Rover has greatly improved the dynamics and refinement of its popular family SUV and supplied an interior that ranks with its peers and probably betters them. It’s a comfortable, if thirsty, drive, and can go places where rival SUVs can’t even dream of. In fact, this townie’s off roader takes all in its stride: useful in Utah and to boast about at dinner parties.
The new Discovery is a very desirable family vehicle that should keep its value in line with predecessors, but it’s probably better to be inside in the comfort and with the multitude of toys, as externally it really needs to be seen at its best angle to be appreciated.
“It’s a special moment when a new vehicle arrives, and after months of planning, we are very proud of the new Discovery, it does everything its predecessor does and more.”
Jeremy Hicks, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover UK