LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4X4 REVIEW

Performance

4 out of 5 stars

The heavyweight Disco ensures that the twin-turbo 3.0-litre engine has plenty to do, and you have to be forceful to get it briskly away from a standstill. However, once you're settled at a cruise, the engine becomes smooth, quiet and decently lively.
Ride & Handling

4 out of 5 stars

The Disco doesn't defy the laws of physics quite as convincingly as the BMW X5, but it's still brilliantly composed and deceptively quick through bends. On motorways, the Disco is hard to fault. Its air suspension soaks up all manner of poor road surfaces, carrying you along in fine style with just the faintest patter noticeable from the rear of the car.
Refinement

4 out of 5 stars

Noise from the turbochargers and ancillaries has been reduced to a mere background hum. Equally, plenty of work has been put in to prevent noise and vibration filtering into the cabin. In fact, were it not for a whoosh of wind noise generated by the bluff windscreen and chunky side mirrors, the Discovery would be as quiet as many top-end luxury cars. The eight-speed automatic gearbox is slick and smooth and quick to change.

Buying & Owning

3 out of 5 stars

There's no getting away from the fact that the Discovery is an expensive car to buy and run, but its 3.0-litre engine is capable of average more than 30mpg, which is reasonable. However, you'll still pay the maximum rate of tax at 35% if you choose a Disco as your company car.
Quality & Reliability

3 out of 5 stars

The materials used in the Discovery suggest that attention to detail has been paramount: it feels classy and solid. However, Land Rover's reliability record has been less than illustrious in recent years, and there are still big question marks over how this Disco will fare in the long term. In the 2011 JD Power survey, owners rated its mechanical reliablity as merely average.
Safety & Security

5 out of 5 stars

Stability and traction controls, Hill Descent Control and a whole bank of off-road programmes are standard, along with full-time four-wheel drive. Thieves won't fancy having a go at the Disco, either – it comes with an alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks.

Behind The Wheel

4 out of 5 stars

Few cars give you a better view of the road ahead than a Discovery, and the driver's seat has lots of adjustment. There are plenty of storage areas, too, while the instrumentation is crisp, and a neat touchscreen cuts down on the amount of switches and buttons on the dashboard.
Space & Practicality

5 out of 5 stars

The Discovery seats seven adults with comparative ease. There's not much boot space with all the seats in use, but the second and third rows fold down to leave a flat floor without the need to remove the headrests. The tailgate is split so that it can serve as a picnic seat or viewing platform.
Equipment

5 out of 5 stars

Base GS cars come with air-conditioning, four electric windows, Bluetooth and keyless entry and start-up. XS models add cruise control, front parking sensors, automatic headlights and wipers, heated leather seats, hard disk satellite-navigation and MP3/USB connectivity. HSE cars get wood and leather trim, electric everything and a thumping Harmon/Kardon stereo.