What Car? Car of the Year 2005 - Car of the Year 2005

Land Rover Discovery TDV6 S auto
List Price £33,490
Target Price £32,536

The Discovery is three cars in one. On the way to work it’s an executive saloon. With the kids in tow it’s a family-friendly MPV. Come the weekend it’s a hard-as-nails 4x4. No other new car is as many things to as many people – that’s why it’s our Car of the Year 2005.

Other big 4x4s have parts of the jigsaw. The BMW X5 remains the benchmark for on-Tarmac performance and the Volvo XC90 has MPV-style flexibility. The Discovery combines much of what makes these cars so good and adds an ability in the rough that neither can match.

The Disco looks every bit as tough as it is, too. In a market where image is almost as important as ability, that’s no bad thing. Combine that with the no-nonsense credibility of the Land Rover name, and you can be sure future used prices will be strong. Fuel economy of 30mpg will also help keep running costs bearable.

The diesel delivers healthy performance, while the suspension that dismisses bumps off-road also copes manfully with badly scarred Tarmac, displaying none of the lurch and sway that afflicts some off-roaders.

Given such a wide range of abilities, we’re happy to recommend the Land Rover Discovery as this year’s champion.

Broadband users click here to see our video of the winning Land Rover Discovery

Dial-up users click here to see our video of the winning Land Rover Discovery

Broadband users click here to see the award presentation

Dial-up users click here to see the award presentation


Silver Award
Skoda Octavia 1.6 FSi Ambiente

Bronze Award
Volkswagen Golf GTi 3dr