Overview
Well-heeled, adventure-seeking families now have a new option in the crossover marketplace: the redesigned Land Rover Discovery. The latest Disco is more than just another suburban grocery getter—although it’s good at that sort of chore, too. The Discovery boasts up to 11.1 inches of ground clearance and a wading depth of nearly three feet. All journeys—both on-road and off—will be comfortable, with seating for up to seven inside an upscale cabin. The Discovery is not the sportiest, the most capacious, or the most fuel-efficient crossover in the segment, but it is a high-tech powerhouse with rugged looks that are sure to impress, whether it arrives caked in mud or freshly showered.
What’s New for 2017?
The Discovery is all new for 2017, replacing the aging LR4 model in the lineup. With a focus on luxurious off-road capability that the whole family can enjoy, the Discovery offers more advanced mechanicals than your average three-row crossover. In fact, if venturing into the wilderness is your intention, Land Rover provides a complimentary two-hour off-road-driving.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Discovery’s engine choices include a 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V-6 and a 254-hp 3.0-liter diesel V-6. Although neither engine serves up hyper-refined, vibration-free operation, both are mated to an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission controlled by a rotary shift knob. All Discovery models come with a highly capable permanent all-wheel-drive system. The diesel’s acceleration is leisurely but adequately perky around town, with low-down torque good for crawling over off-road obstacles. The gasoline V-6 is thirsty, but it’s much more powerful, and its acceleration is pleasingly quick. The Land Rover’s adventure-ready mission comes at the expense of on-road dexterity. The Discovery’s handling feels clumsy and top-heavy when changing direction. The Disco never lets you forget that you’re piloting a large SUV. But overall ride quality is quite good—especially with the optional air suspension—and even harsh bumps are dealt with easily.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Discovery’s interior materials are decidedly upscale. The two-tone theme of our HSE Luxury test vehicle tastefully blends ivory leather and dark brown leather with soft-touch plastic and open-pore wood trim with piano-black detailing. Luxury features abound throughout the rest of the interior, and the level of comfort only increases as you climb through the available trims. Up front, power-adjustable, heated leather seats with optional massage offer good support and cushioning, although second-row seats aren’t as generously padded. Third-row passengers have less space than those in other rows but can expect reasonable comfort. The Discovery provides ample room for cargo with its seats folded, but has less space behind the third row than many rivals. It does have plenty of stash spots for smaller items, even those that need to remain cooled during long journeys.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Discovery models come with a version of Land Rover’s InControl Touch infotainment system. However, the system itself operates more slowly than some rivals, and the interface is not as intuitive as it should be. Standard on the base SE trim is an 8.0-inch touchscreen with such features as Bluetooth connectivity. Optional on the SE and standard on HSE and HSE Luxury trims is the Touch Pro system with a 10.2-inch display and more advanced features like an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. A Meridian 10-speaker premium audio system pumps up the jams on HSE models, but HSE Luxury trims get a 14-speaker setup. As many as nine USB ports dot the cabin, and a rear-seat entertainment system is optional. But what you won’t find on any Discovery trim is Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
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