Land Rover Discovery Station wagon 2004 - Present

When Ford took over the Classic British 4X4 marque they set about taking the brand further upmarket, from the Framer to the stately home.  While they’ve done this the market for 4X4 vehicles in the UK has grown significantly, but Land Rover have retained their position at the top of the pile and that is largely because of the Discovery. 

The seven seater models gave mums the chance to take Jonnies friends to tennis club without worrying about where they’re going to sit.  The old live axle suspension has been replaced by an all independent double wishbone system which gives great insulation from even the most testing of road surface.  There is room for seven adults to sit in comfort, unless you’re in the five seater.  The second and third rows both fold flat easily tom make the Discovery a versatile vehicle for transporting what every you need to carry, within reason.

The Discovery is a large and intimidating car to drive, well that’s how it looks when it’s parked up but once you’re on the road in it that sense of size soon disappears.  The handling is nimble, with precise steering and great roadholding.  Cornering can be undertaken with confidence and the sense of feedback from the steering is excellent.  The engines are punchy and capable under almost any circumstance.  There are two different options a 4.4 V8 petrol and 2.7 turbodiesel unit.  The fuel figures reflect the performance, but there’s no place to hide because neither are that great.  The oil burner returns up the 30 mpg, where the petrol engine weighs in with 18 mpg, yes eighteen.  Bear in mind that’s a combined figure and you’ll be lucky to get 15 in town, the consumption’s gonna hurt.  They’re both liable for top rate company car and road tax too so they’re not cheap to run.  Performance wise they can hold their heads up with 0 – 60 times of 11 and 8.5 seconds, and top speeds of 112 and 121 mph.  Both engines deliver their power in an effortless and easy fashion with pull and guile throughout the rev range.

The Land Rover Discovery is never going to win over any environmentalists, and many of the models that are sold will only see action on tarmac, but that said on road the Discovery is such a great performer that it feels like you’ve really found something new.

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