Has there ever been a car with such big shoes to fill? A car with so much expectation placed upon its shoulders? Considering the icon that is now Discovery, it is hard to think of another that has so much to live up to. The all-new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is a big departure from its predecessor in many respects. With this “changing of the guard” Land Rover claim that this 5th incarnation is the most capable they have ever produced.

Gone are the straight edges and boxy design, in their place you will find a far more curvaceous affaire. This generation clearly marks itself as a modern and fashion conscious machine that wears intricate details like jewellery. A nameplate sits proudly upon the front wing, the bowed chrome grill makes a statement, distinctive LED lights sit either side, and the subtle hump in the roof plays homage to Discoverys gone by. Something else that hints at this cars lineage is the offset numberplate at the rear. Whilst this feature splits opinion amongst my colleagues, it does grow on you. Considering the vast number of preorders for this car, it is likely something you will get used to quite quickly.

The revolution continues inside as the cabin is also a departure from Discovery 4. Whilst the previous Disco was far from a Victorian workhouse, the new model in HSE Luxury is opulent enough to be mistaken for a Range Rover. Wood trim and high quality bathe the interior whilst aluminium and gloss plastic punctuate the details. JLR’s InControl Pro touchscreen infotainment display offers up the usual tools including; navigation, phone connectivity, and various media including TV. Front occupants take full advantage of that raised ride hight and a comfortable set of leather seats. Said seats are now heated, cooled, and massaging. The middle row provides loads of head and leg room for all three passengers. This trim level also affords them seat mounted TVs and heated seating. Rearmost positions are no longer the “short straw” option as they cater for adults and are heated. The cabin in HSE Luxury guise gets WiFi and more charging points than you can shake a stick at, meaning the children should be more than occupied on long journeys. Boot space with all seats in place is 258 litre, 629 litres with 5, or fold them all flat to receive 2,406 litres. Rearranging the seats can be a bit of a faff in seven seaters but the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery has a tech inspired solution. In addition to the electrical switches at the cars rear, a smartphone app can configure the layout however you see fit long before you arrive with even the largest of impulse purchases. The much loved split-folding tailgate may be gone but in its place is a folding ledge that can take up to 300KG. It serves the same purpose and is actually slightly more convenient.

Under the bonnet of our 2017 Land Rover Discovery is a 3.0 litre diesel engine that produces a healthy 258 HP and a huge 600Nm of torque. It is that torque that makes this car feel effortless in the way it can dispense with motorway dawdlers. The overall driving experience is one of comfort and relaxation. This chassis is particularly talented as soaking up road imperfections, of which there are a lot of in the UK, is not trouble at all. There is some body roll, something to be expected in such a tall vehicle, and over high frequency bumps there is a slight seesawing motion, but generally speaking the suspension does a fine job. Steering is light and accurate with this combination leading to the large car not feeling cumbersome to drive. A host of camera build upon already good visibility. Our test car seamlessly swapped ratios via an 8 speed automatic gearbox. Not only is the box competent when left to its own devices, but it also responds quickly when summoned via the steering wheel mounted paddles. This specification claims 39 MPG combined and 189g/km CO2. The new Discovery is considerably more civilised on road, however, in order for it to earn that Land Rover badge it must also excel off road.

The secret to the 2017 Land Rover Discovery being successful on the rough stuff is a mix of both brawn and brain. All of this cars torque means that it has the mechanical grunt to deal with just about any obstacle placed in front of it, but there is plenty of technology at play also making progress effortless. Air suspension raises the ride hight, intelligent all wheel drive utilises its locking differentials, and Low Traction Launch enables measured progress when it is slippery underfoot. The crowning glory of this cars all terrain ability is Terrain Response 2. This system has selectable modes for just about every eventuality where it will work out exactly what to do with each wheel. An auto mode allows the Discovery to pick for itself meaning that even a total novice is unlikely to get stuck. Being 450KG lighter than the outgoing model actually helps in the wilderness just as much as on tarmac. A wading depth of 900mm is also very impressive indeed.

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery is a machine that over delivers both on and off road. It joins its ancestors with distinction and I think it is safe to say that the brand will see a lot of success with this model. You can have a top specification HSE Luxury car like this from £62,695.

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For 25 years the Land Rover Discovery has been an iconic 4×4. Venturing far and wide, this SUV has tackled just about every terrain imaginable. Through each of its four generations it has become more capable, and with the introduction of the new 5th generation model next year, the Discovery name lives on. However, that sadly means we must say goodbye to the trusty current generation that has become a common sight both on and off road. This is the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Landmark and it is a fitting farewell to one of the best cars the brand has ever built.

Sporting that familiar chiseled outline for one last time, the Discovery Landmark has all of the hallmarks we have come to love. The bold stance, its stepped roofline, and a real sense of utilitarian functionality. Our test car finished in black and with a few Landmark touches, such as darkened grills, 20 inch alloy wheels, and silver roof rails, looked like something that could take you to dinner, but also climb a mountain. Obligatory badging can be found at its rear whilst updated light signatures finish off the design.

The 2016 Land Rover Discovery Landmark is based upon the top specification offering and so the interior is equipped with every luxury you could want. Heated seats, heated steering wheel, DAB radio, premium audio system. Want a TV? Have three. How about a fridge? Sure, go ahead. This car is so lavishly specified that you needn’t leave your elevated driving position for days if needs be. Whilst the centre console and touchscreen display are beginning to look dated, everything is still very ergonomic and well laid out. The middle row gets two TV screens and a pair of wireless headphones. That bench will also happily seat three adults. The final two jump seats are ideal for children or occasional adult use on short journeys. Open that synonymous split-tailgate to reveal boot space of 280 litres with 7 seats, 1,124 litres with 5 in place, or fold them all flat to receive 1,950 litres.

Under the bonnet is the familiar 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine and this trusty unit has proven to be a solid workhorse over the years. 252 BHP is produced with a minimal amount of fuss as refinement levels are very good. Smooth running sets the tone for this SUV. However, it isn’t the power which defines the way in which this engine goes about its business. 600Nm of torque allows what is a rather large car to move swiftly. Driving this Land Rover Discovery Landmark there is a real air of effortlessness as the light control weights and high driving position makes you feel, both literally and metaphorically, above it all. Pottering around the Land Rover’s supple as well as ride good all around visibility makes it easy to live with. Head out and onto the motorway and its cruising abilities are impressive. Yes, it does have the aerodynamic properties of a brick by todays standards and as a result there is some wind noise, but generally the cabin is well insulated. The 8 speed ZF automatic transmission is seamless with shifts barely noticeable. Sink into your heated leather seat a little deeper and let the car take the strain. I drove to north Wales and back from the south coast and arrived still feeling fresh. Obviously it is no sports car, its hight does result in leaning through sweeping bends, but the high levels of grip are reassuring.

Despite all of this luxury the Land Rover Discovery Landmark hasn’t forgotten why it wears that famed badge. Turn off of the tarmac and onto the rough stuff where it feels at home just as much. Air suspension soaks up much of the undulation Mother Nature sends your way whilst its capable Terrain Response system works out exactly where power needs to be sent. Wade depth sensors inform the driver of how deep water ahead of the car may be to prevent harm coming to the car. That aforementioned torque makes short work of even the of steepest inclines and enables towing of up to 3,500kg. Finished playing in the mud? Well, it is more than happy to take you home whilst you warm your hands on the heated steering wheel.

The thing I have always loved about the Discovery is that World War Three could break out on the other side of your window and you could merrily carry on with your day. Capable, comfortable, complete. The next generation has some big shoes to fill that is for sure! £55,995 isn’t cheap, but is a relative bargain when you think about how broad its abilities are.

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Jaguar Land Rover are going through a fantastic renascence with product after product giving customers exactly what they expect from the prestigious brands. Models such as Evoque and F-Type are selling like hot cakes and with big plans ahead, the future is looking bright. Land Rover is undergoing a transformation that will see it have three pillars. Range Rover for high end luxury, the Discovery family for core Land Rover models, and a Defender range for no-nonsense off-road adventures. This 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport becomes the second discovery and sits just below its bigger brother.

This car could sell on looks alone, it offers much more than a pretty face, but the amount of attention our test car received this week highlights its desirability. Whilst the cars aesthetics do eco that of the Evoque in places, what you see here is very much new Discovery design language. The overall silhouette is one of function and promotes a sense of strength. Its roofline does tapper adding some elegance, but the relatively blunt nose and short overhangs suggests some traditional Land Rover all terrain ability. Intricate headlights and darkened rear pillars to create a floating roof effect states very clearly that the Disco Sport is a premium product.

Within the 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport you sit up high in a commanding driving position, highly desirable according to todays trends. Large supportive heated leather seats occupied the space within this SE TECH model which proved to be ideal for long journeys. The Discovery Sport replaces the Freelander as the entry level model, but the interior architecture is detailed and certainly does not feel like a poor relation to the “full fat” Discovery. Whilst a few plastic surfaces could be altered, the cascading centre console with its chunky dials looks both stylish and durable. A new touchscreen infotainment display features offering; DAB radio, Bluetooth, satellite navigation, and climate control settings. The interface is clean and easy to use. This cars second row is treated to generous amounts of head and leg room as well as seats that not only slide, but also recline. An ace up the Discovery Sport’s sleeve is that it has capacity for 7 with two extra seats being deployable in the boot, giving competitors something to think about. The boot is a of an excellent size offering 981 litres when loaded to the roof or 1,698 when the middle row is folded flat. Its interior in general is perfect for family life.

From launch the Sport only came with this 2.2 litre 187BHP diesel engine, however, as I write this a more efficient 2.0 litre Ingenium engine is becoming available. At idle and under load this older unit is more noisy than you would expect from a modern Land Rover, especially considering the step-up in quality everywhere else. Yet, once up to speed the gruff tone subsides and its isolation of unwanted sounds is excellent. Once in top gear on a motorway you can happily settle down for a relaxing journey. Some journalists have complained about this cars manual gearbox, but in my humble opinion, it serves its purpose. It is not the best shifting motion in the world, yet by no means is it the worst. Any machine with “sport” in its name should be able to handle a British B-road, and I am pleased to say this is the case with Discovery Sport. Upon corner entry there is some initial body lean, to be expected in a car of this hight really, but it settles and high grip levels can be felt. Its steering is accurate and well weighted, not full of feedback, but you can easily place the car exactly where you want it. Around town the 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport is easy to drive with good visibility, that said, we would advise optioning the rear view camera to make parking in a tight space a bit easier. Its low speed ride is firm for an SUV, but its handling overall is much better than rivals.

A Land Rover road test is not complete without an “off-road” test, and the Disco Sport’s trial by mud is an important one. Just how much of its larger siblings command over nature exists within this fashion conscious model? The answer is a fair amount. Equipped with various terrain options, the 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport is very capable on the rough stuff. We took it to Salisbury plains where the British Army play with their tanks, it is also the same location we tested the big Discovery. A months worth of rain had fallen in just a day making things even harder for the car. Without fuss the Discovery Sport clambered up rocky hillsides and through muddy bogs with help from 420Nm of torque. Clearly the better equipped large Discovery should be your weapon of choice out here, but we found the only limiting factor of its baby brother was its road tyres. Other than a few slippy moments when the treads became clogged with clay, the Sport took everything in its stride proving itself to be a true Land Rover.

We achieved 35MPG over multiple environments whilst driving the new 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport, fuel efficiency should be boosted with the new engine offering. Our test car came to £34,315 with a few options, presenting a price premium over competitors. The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a brilliant machine and a worthy addition to the Discovery range, so much so that its small faults can be overlooked in most cases.

Classy, capable, and comfortable. The Disco Sport is our pick of the class.

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Freedom is a noble sentiment… The ability to do whatever, whenever, with no limitations in reality is very hard to achieve. There are barriers, rules and responsibilities that prevent this aspirational get-up-and-go attitude for many. However, there are means of obtaining this freedom whilst still ticking the necessary boxes. A way to have your cake and eat it if you will. For the past 25 years the answer has been Discovery. There is a reason for this nameplates survival and its formula for success is still clear for all to see, especially in this 2015 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury we tested.

With its bold and illustriously boxy shape, the current Land Rover Discovery has the appearance of a machine that means business. Whilst over the years it has collected more chrome trim, its fundamental form follows function design has endured. Whilst not as utilitarian as the Defender, its short overhangs still allows for impressive approach and departure angles. It is a big vehicle and certainly makes a statement when driven around an urban environment, but in Indus Silver with these very smart 20 inch alloy wheels there is a classy element to it. The keen observers amongst you will notice that for 2015 the badging on this Discovery doesn’t read Land Rover on the nose. That is because Discovery is becoming its own family of vehicles of which will emerge over the next few years. This cars proud stance, stepped roof and unique daytime running lights make it unmistakable.

The interior of this 2015 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury is plush to say the least. If equipment is your thing then you will love this fully loaded 4×4. From your high driving position you feel as if you have dominion of all around you, seeing over things you otherwise would not. Comfortable leather heated seats cosset you as you place your hands on the heated steering wheel. The gear selector rises up from the centre stack, just like a Jaguar, greeting you in an almost James Bond-like fashion. A touchscreen display gives you access to all of the cars media, of which there is a lot, including DAB radio, digital television, DVD, CD, Bluetooth and satellite navigation. Clever utilities such as cameras enabling you to see around junctions and sonar for sensing how deep water may be ahead are all at your disposal through this easy to use interface. Below you will find controls for air-conditioning of which are all quite chunky enabling their use even whilst wearing thick gloves. Further down again the Discovery’s terrain response options and suspension settings can be found. More on those later… The second row allows seating for five adults with plenty of head and leg room. The two outer seats are heated and treated to T.V.s mounted in the forward headrests. Wireless headphones compliment these, but the Meridian surround sound system is also excellent. The final two seats fold out from the boot floor allowing for a total capacity of seven. Leg room is limited here but far better than you might expect. With the seats tucked away the boot is vast and lovingly equipped with a split-folding tailgate, something many Land Rover owners simply love.

This Land Rover Discovery is powered by a 3.0 litre turbocharged diesel V6 engine producing 255HP and a hefty 442lb ft of torque. When mobile you always feel that the engine provides enough grunt for the situation, it is a V6 after all. Put your foot down and it will get from 0-60MPH in 8.8 seconds which is not half bad for something of this size and weight. A ZF 8 speed automatic transmission swaps cogs effortlessly to the point where you hardly even feel the gear change occurring. Around town there is no getting away from how big the car is, but an array of sensors and cameras do make it relatively easy to park. On a motorway life is peaceful as you enjoy all of the onboard comforts and let the Disco take the strain. There is some wind noise at higher speeds and obviously with a car of this nature the expected body roll is present around bends. SO there you have it, a lovely comfortable SUV to live with. However, that is only half of the Land Rover Discovery story. These cars have always been infinitely capable off-road. We took this 2015 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury to Salisbury Plain where the British Army test their tanks.

After being questioned by a platoon of soldiers and granted access, we took to some seriously tough terrain. Steep muddy inclines, deep swamps which would happily engulf most cars, the Discovery never missed a beat. When the going started to get tricky we simply selected the appropriate terrain response option and the on-board computers then send power to the appropriate wheels to get things moving. Hill descents were easy with the car doing all of the work maintaining a steady speed downward. Sonar in the wing mirrors informs the driver how deep the water around the car currently is and will also sound an alert if it becomes too deep ahead to proceed. This machines command of the environment around it was nothing short of impressive. There we were chasing tanks whilst drinking an ice cold cola from the cars onboard fridge! I mean really, what other car can offer such comfort whilst you navigate a simulated war zone? Amazing.

It really is very hard to fault this astonishing piece of engineering. Ok yes, we did only get 27MPG out of it and the steering could do with being a bit more responsive when on road, but as a complete package you can’t help but admire its sheer brilliance. Our 2015 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury came to £63,395 with all of its toys which clearly is a lot of money. The first few days of living with it I though it was nice to drive, but the price still seemed huge. That was until I exploited its full potential off-road and now I am totally convinced it is worth that sum. The amount of engineering, technology and outright usability means that you are not only king of the road in a Discovery, but king of everything off of it also.

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In this green and pleasant land that we call home there have always been a few constants. The Royal Family, tea and the Land Rover Defender. Since 1948 the Defender, or 90/100, has been the British answer to go anywhere mobility. A fantastically simple yet ingenious solution to taming Mother Nature and the elements. As a favoured tool of the armed forces, the Defender has served with distinction all over the world. Our Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon XS may well be a more luxurious, in this case a relative term, Defender but its roots are still very clear to see.

There are very few cars as instantly recognisable or as imposing at the Land Rover Defender. Its boxy, no nonsense, form follows function silhouette has not changed for 66 years. Very much a case of “if its’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Chunky off-road tyres find homes under protruding wheel arches that also shelter heavy-duty suspension. The sidestep is a necessity to climb up and into the cars high cabin. The Defender’s extremely short overhangs are again not aesthetic design, but allow for amazing approach and departure angles when on the rough stuff. With a rear mounted spare tyre and in black, our Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon XS looked seriously sinister.

If you are expecting to be welcomed into the lap of luxury when entering the Defender you are looking in the wrong place. Big chunky buttons don a vertical console which is far from pretty. It is spartan in comparison with other cars and even sports a few naked bolts that haven’t been hidden away. However, that is very much in this cars nature. A Defender isn’t about nursing your arthritis or insuring you never miss a Facebook notification. It is meant to be a bit rough and ready with its hard wearing plastics and controls you can operate whilst wearing thick gloves. Though, as mentioned, this is the XS model and so the nicely supportive leather seats do give it some added comfort. Another creature comfort is the optional sound system which I must say is worth the extra £180 as it is excellent. In the back of this short wheelbase model are two further leather seats that fold out from their side mountings giving the Defender a capacity of four.

Start up that 2.2 litre diesel and feel the car rumble into life around you. The Land Rover Defender makes absolutely no apologies for what it is. This is a working vehicle and in order to do its job, being the most effective off-roader this side of a tank, it has to make compromises in other areas. Nostalgia and admiration for this model aside, out on the open road its manners are not the best. The pedals are very heavy and the steering quite vague. Also being a tall vehicle of notable weight there is plenty of body roll in the corners. However, whilst you are raising your voice in order to speak with your passengers you begin to notice people looking in your direction, often smiling. Kids point it out to their parents and there is a general admiration as you drive past. A commanding driving position such as this feels empowering as it offers a great view of the road ahead. Whilst on the subject of visibility, the Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon XS large rectangular windows in tandem with the short overall length of the car makes it much easier to park than you would expect.

Ok, so the Defender might not be “king of the road” but it certainly is king of everything off of it. This stout little warrior wades into battle with nature without hesitation. It has all of the equipment it could possibly need with a low range gearbox, locking differential, torquey diesel engine and some serious ground clearance. I have previously put a Defender through its paces on an off-road course where it stormed up ludicrously steep muddy inclines and traversed gullies that would happily swallow your average family hatchback. This week no matter what I put in front of it; rivers, heavily rutted trails, a forest and even a hedge, the Land Rover simply sighed at how easy the tasks were. At one point I got a bit stuck on a river bank but simply locking the differential and selecting low range soon got me out of trouble. The aforementioned snazzy seats do a fine job of keeping you in one place when the road ahead disintegrates and would otherwise have you, your occupants and belongings shuffled around like a deck of cards. It really is an amazing piece of kit that is so very capable.

Whilst on the tarmac the Defender does leave much to be desired, yet it is absolutely fit for its designed purpose. You wouldn’t use this Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon XS for a motorway journey anymore than you would use a spoon to spread butter. When production of this legend ends in December 2015 it will be a very sad day indeed. The Defender’s endurance over the decades is something that its designers, Land Rover and Great Britain should be very proud of.

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