Discover this new, sleeker Land Rover

Date published: 13 February 2018


by Steven Berry

The new, fifth generation Land Rover Discovery has been on a bit of a diet.

Utilising a new aluminium monocoque body in place of the agricultural steel chassis and body of the previous version, it is now up to 480kg lighter.

It looks slimmer too, having much sleeker bodywork with softer, rounded corners - which must be a good thing as sleeker means more aerodynamic which, along with that huge weight-saving, must mean this new model won’t be such a strain on the wallet when it comes to fuel bills.

It’s certainly not a strain on the eyes when viewed from the front and sides as JLR have brought the Discovery bang up to date with the rest of the Land Rover range and it now has more in common with the stylish Range Rover Velar and less in common with a utility truck.

The trouble is that a lot of people liked the Mk.4’s squared-off, beefier look and making their favourite SUV look a little softer may lead those people into thinking – mistakenly - that the new version is less capable. However, I’m sure many more potential buyers will now be turned “onto” the new Disco than current owners will be turned “off”.

However, there is the rear view and that offset number plate.

Okay, with the spare wheel no longer hanging off the rear hatch Land Rover could have made the rear view symmetrical – but as a nod to what has gone before they didn’t.

Personally, I think it looks a little odd but it certainly wouldn’t be a deal-breaker. After all, a little “odd” in our lives can be cause for celebration; “Vive la difference”, as our neighbours may say.


There’s no controversy when it comes to price though – you can have a brand new, seven-seater Discovery for as little as £45,895 on-the-road and that is a whole lot of capability and practicality wrapped in a premium product. An entry-level Audi Q7 will cost you more, as will Volvo’s XC90.

All Discos come equipped with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, four-wheel-drive, air suspension, powered tailgate, autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning.

However, the base S model is a little sparse on creature comforts and if you want to match the Q7 and XC90 for tech and refinement you will need to push the boat out a little.

The SE model (from £52,295) fitted with the 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine (240 bhp) gets grained leather upholstery, LED headlights, enhanced 10-speaker sound system, satellite navigation and front and rear parking aids, while the HSE model (from £59,595) gains Windsor leather seats, 20in alloy wheels (as opposed to 19in), a 380W Meridian sound system, a fixed panoramic roof with powered blinds, Interactive Driver Display, keyless entry, rear-view camera and a powered, gesture tailgate.

So, if you’re in the market for a beefy all-rounder that can carry seven adults in comfort, double up as a load-lugger, handle any terrain or weather conditions that may be thrown at it, keep you and your loved ones safe and still have a luxury feel that will make you smile every time you climb aboard, then the new Land Rover Discovery needs to be top of your list. It’s definitely still King of the Hill.

VERDICT: *****

AT A GLANCE:
Land Rover Discovery Sd4 HSE Luxury
OTR Price: £62,695
Engine: 2.0 turbo diesel
Power: 240 bhp
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
0-62mph: 8.0 secs
Top Speed: 120 mph
Combined Economy: 43.5 mpg