Land Rover Discovery 2017 Review

Inconspicuously capable
The Discovery's muscular, boxy lines have been consigned to the history books; the all-new fifth-generation off-road SUV brings a fluid, more athletic look not dissimilar to the upper-crust Range Rover Sport with which it shares a platform.

But Land Rover assures us its latest and greatest loses none of the British-built Discovery's famed capability.

All variants offer a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive system as standard, though not all include the off-road-focussed Terrain Response 2 and air suspension system as part of the deal. Dual-range four-wheel drive is available, but not in conjunction with the entry-level Td4 engine.

The rationale here, Land Rover says, is to broaden the appeal of its much-loved SUV. That should give it the opportunity to compete with both serious four-wheel drives like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and road-going luxury models like the BMW X5 in equal step, thus improving sales.

Locally, sales of the Discovery have fallen to just 227 units year to date (2017) in anticipation of the new model. Last year the Discovery finished fifth in its segment with 2470 unit sales.

Diet of Discovery
Making the Discovery lighter was a sure-fire way of improving not only its dynamism, but also its fuel efficiency.

To that end the aluminium-intensive (85 per cent) monocoque body is up to 480kg lighter than the outgoing model, tipping the scales from 2105kg. The latest Discovery grows in length to 4970mm (up 141mm) and wheelbase (up 38mm to 2923mm), but is otherwise shorter (now 1846mm) and narrower (2220mm including mirrors).

In conjunction with Jaguar Land Rover's new Ingenium 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, fuel economy falls to 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined), making this Discovery the most economical yet.

It's the first time since since the Series 1 model that Discovery has been offered with a four-cylinder engine option, the Ingenium unit offered in two states of tune. For the entry-grade Td4 range output is 132kW/430Nm (6.2L/100km, ADR Combined) while mid-spec Sd4 variants achieve 177kW/500Nm (and 6.4L/100km, ADR Combined).

The only six-cylinder unit offered at this stage is a revised 3.0-litre V6 (single) turbo-diesel. It's tuned to produced 190kW/600Nm and is said to consume 7.2L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle, and also offers the quickest acceleration of the trio at 8.1sec (8.3sec for Sd4, 10.5sec for Td4) from 0-100km/h.

The entry grade Discovery S rides on a double wishbone / multi-link steel coil set-up while the remainder of the range is air suspended. Braking is via four-wheel discs, and the steering is electrically assisted.

Depending on the variant wheel sizes range from 19 to 21 inches in diameter with all versions carrying a full-size matching spare.

Five for fighting
Taking the sales battle to both five and seven-seat SUVs in the premium segment gives the Discovery a clear advantage, even if three rows of seats attract a $5600 premium (click here for full Land Rover Discovery pricing and specifications).

Family buyers are also bound to appreciate the added flexibility the Discovery's adult-friendly third-row brings, ditto its 258-1231-2500 litres of luggage space. There's also an extensive range of cosmetic, technology and capability option packages available, including multiple paint, upholstery and trim options, and a choice of alloy wheels in various designs and sizes.

Braked towing capacity varies between models. Td4 variants offer 3000kg of braked towing ability, the remainder of the range a best-in-class 3500kg.

Land Rover says its latest Discovery is the most technologically advanced yet, and includes JLR's InControl infotainment array across the board.

Safety and electronic driver assistance system also receive a comprehensive update; the inclusion of full-length curtain airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, self-parking technology and a multitude of cameras have helped the Discovery to a five-star ANCAP rating.

Did we mention capable?
Off-road prowess is what separates the Discovery from the majority of its immediate rivals. To this extent, it is offered with 283mm of ground clearance (up 43mm), a wading depth of 900mm (up 200mm), wheel articulation of 500mm, and clearance geometries of 34.0, 27.5 and 30.0 degrees for approach, ramp-over and departure respectively. Even the key is waterproof to 30m.

It's also one of the few seven-seat models to offer not only an adult-friendly third-row, but also configurable seating through the second and third rows, optionally with remote, electronic control. The second-row's floor height does, however, seem to feel less commodious than that of outgoing models, giving a slight 'knee-up' sensation.

But it's still a commodious cabin. The ride is refined on-road or off, the air-suspended models on test ironing out all but the worst corrugations, and riding quietly on all but the largest wheel diameters. We found the experience at the wheel familiar to others in the Land Rover range with excellent seat adjustability and generous outward vision helping to shrink the now-larger Discovery around the driver.

Perhaps most impressive of all, however, is the new Ingenium Sd4 engine – the only four-cylinder model offered at the launch. Defying the printed acceleration times, it feels nearly as brisk under acceleration as the larger V6, and is quiet under load. The eight-speed automatic is seamlessly cooperative, and the shift between four-wheel drive programs faultless. Even the air suspension is quicker than before, thanks to a higher-capacity reservoir.

What Aussies want
While we may need to spend more time in the Discovery – and with more passengers on board – to get a true feel for its family-friendly focus, it's clear the model has lost none of its off-road ability.

Tackling obstacles that would shame even sturdy, ute-based rivals proves the breadth of the Land Rover's design is unchallenged in its market segment. It's an advantage that prestige European SUV rivals can't hope to match, and one that should give the Discovery the leg-up it needs to expand local sales.

Sure, there's a little road noise and a slight reduction in ride quality on larger-diameter wheels, and yes, the options list can quickly drive up the price. But otherwise the Discovery is a refined, capable, flexible, and beautifully presented SUV, and one we think might just have all the character traits Aussie SUV buyers want.

2017 Land Rover Discovery Td4 pricing and specifications:
Price: $65,960 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 132kW/430Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 163g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Land Rover Discovery Sd4 pricing and specifications:
Price: $71,560 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 177kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Land Rover Discovery Td6 pricing and specifications:
Price: $78,721 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 190kW/600Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 189g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Related content:
>> Land Rover Discovery: International Launch Review
>> Land Rover Discovery: Video Review
>> Land Rover Discovery: Local Pricing and Specifications