Tow Car Awards: overall winner 2010
The Tow Car Awards is Britain's biggest and best tow car test programme, with a history stretching back to 2007...
Kerb weight 2583kg Max towing weight 3500kg Towball limit 150kg
In 2010, the Land Rover Discovery 4 was our Tow Car of the Year. And here's what we said about it at the time:
The old Land Rover Discovery was one of our favourite tow cars, but the new model improves upon it in just about every area.
Its 3.0-litre diesel engine has more power and torque than the old 2.7, and it’s more economical, too. Hitch up a two-tonne tourer to the old model, and the engine pulls with determination rather than vigour. Attach the same caravan to the Discovery 4 and it gains speed just as quickly as German alternatives such as the Audi Q7.
The Discovery is more composed than before, too. There’s less lean in bends and more direct steering; the hint of vagueness has gone, which gives the driver more confidence to press on.
The lane-change test highlighted the Discovery’s limitations in previous years. In 2010, though, it was a match for any of its rivals. Even at high speeds the caravan never unsettled the back of the car.
What’s really clever is that Land Rover has made these improvements without ruining the Discovery’s ride. Take life at a steady place and the interior of the Discovery remains one of the most comfortable places on four wheels. Bumps that are felt with a jolt and heard with a thump in stiffly sprung SUVs seem to disappear beneath the tyres.
Along with the lane-change test, the hill start is where many cars came unstuck, but not the Discovery. The electronic brake held the outfit still first time, every time. We know there are those who can’t see anything wrong with a conventional handbrake, but the best electronic brakes do make stopping and starting on a steep slope so simple and stress-free.
The combination of four-wheel drive and that barrel-chested engine pulled it to the top of the 1-in-6 test hill with ease. In fact, the Discovery made this test seem so easy that some of the judges tried it on a 1-in-4 slope. The result was the same.
Most cars picked up far lower scores for practicality than for towing, a sign that manufacturers really need to think harder about tow car drivers’ needs. Land Rover leads the way, though. With its full-size spare, self-levelling suspension, Trailer Stability Programme, huge boot and many more practical features, the Discovery ticks more boxes than just about any other car.
You’ll be just as happy with the Discovery when you are not towing. The same improvements that make it a quicker, more composed tow car are still apparent in normal driving. It’s just as pleasant to travel in as before, but now it’s considerably more fun.
Our biggest reservation with the Land Rover is its price. Costing more than £40,000, we know that this won’t be the tow car for everyone. However, resale values of 45% soften the blow, and there are plenty of other award-winners which are easier on your bank balance.
Our ratings
Towing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 5/5 Buying and owning 4/5 Overall 5/5
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
