Tow Car Awards: overall winner 2017
The Tow Car Awards is Britain's biggest and best tow car test programme, with a history stretching back to 2007...
Kerb weight 2298kg Max towing weight 3500kg Towball limit 195kg
The Land Rover Discovery became a two-time Tow Car of the Year when the fifth-generation model was introduced in 2017. Here's what we said at the time:
The fact that the new Land Rover Discovery is our overall champion for 2017 will come as a surprise to nobody – Land Rover’s track record in these awards is second to none. But this was no foregone conclusion.
This has been a vintage year for new tow cars, with new models finishing second or third in their classes that might have been overall winners in a weaker year. The strength in depth has been remarkable.
Of the other four main class winners, it’s the Jaguar F-Pace which pushed the Discovery closest. It won the 1700-1899kg class by a street, and handled this year’s gusty conditions superbly.
But even with such strong competition, the Discovery fully deserves its title. As an all-rounder, it sets a new benchmark.
You still get the stability at speed which has always been the Discovery’s most important quality as a tow car. But clever technology makes towing with this generation more straightforward than ever – like the optional Advanced Tow Assist system which makes reversing a caravan simple, even for less experienced drivers.
The old Discovery may have been the best big tow car, even at the end of its production life, but it felt old in other ways. The new Discovery is bang up to date.
In everyday driving, the new Discovery rides as comfortably as ever, but it’s now quieter at speed. The new model is more economical and emits less, so company car drivers no longer face a big tax premium for choosing the Land Rover over its rivals.
Inside, the new Land Rover is practical and roomy for seven, and the flexible seating is now easier to exploit. On high-spec models the seats can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button – or a smartphone touchscreen.
With a price tag of £58,795, we appreciate that the Discovery isn’t within everyone’s reach, but exceptionally strong predicted resale values do help soften the blow. If you do have the means, the new Discovery is worth it.
Our ratings
Towing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 5/5 Buying and owning 4/5 Overall 5/5
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