The Land Rover Discovery has been renowned for being the most capable SUV yet from the manufacturer. It brings with it a combination of unmatched off-road ability and the ruggedness of erstwhile 4x4s along with improved on-road drivability and frugality. It is also incredibly refined and lighter than before; also, with the addition of the company’s twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine at the bottom of the range has made the seven-seat SUV hugely appealing to buyers in search of practicality and luxury with relatively low running costs. Combined with all of this is the versatility of an upmarket 4×4. It is up to the challenge, whether it be the regular school run or a weekend trip to the countryside. The looks of the SUV may be subjective to many, but if one had to consider the technology available on-board, this SUV might just come across as an immensely capable package. It is now more than just a family SUV; it’s more of a luxury 4×4. It takes the fight to SUVs like Volvo’s XC90, Audi’s Q7, Mercedes’ GLE and BMW’s X5.

Design

The Land Rover Discovery is a good-looking SUV; however, there may be some with reservations about its design. The previous-generation Discovery was quite boxy, with straight lines, flat panels and sharp edges. This new model is very different. At the front, it gets well integrated, slim headlights, flanked by a two-slat grille. The well contoured bumper boasts of vertical vents in the bumper and some chrome on the fenders. It has a large bonnet with creases on it. The side profile includes flared wheel arches and a broad, angular C-pillar. At the rear, it tends to look a bit awkward with the off-set number plate. However, the LED tail lights and skid plate add to the SUV stance.

Specifications

In terms of dimensions, the Discovery is 4988mm in length, 2220mm in width and 1846mm in height. The wheelbase stretches across at 2922mm. Ride quality is very impressive as it flattens out most bad undulations, thanks to the air suspension that works very quietly. Also, the SUV doesn’t lose its composure, thanks in part to its weight. At lower speeds though, you tend to feel the firmness of the suspension. You get a great, commanding view from the driver’s seat. The engine is responsive, and it pulls effortlessly the moment you put your foot down. Despite being an electric steering, it feels weighty and precise. The engine has a strong mid-range. Around corners, it is surprisingly stable, although there is some body roll. But you can confidently carry speed into a corner. There’s a lot of grip on offer, and the transmission is fairly quick too. The SUV stops well, thanks to the brakes having good bite. In terms of specifications, it gets a 2995cc, 6-cylinder petrol engine that produces 335bhp and 450Nm of torque, a 2993cc, 6-cylinder diesel engine that produces 255bhp and 600Nm of torque and a 1999cc, 6-cylinder petrol engine that produces 237bhp and 430Nm of torque . Paired to all engines is an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine is also BS-IV compliant. Also, the base-spec trim weighs in at 2223kgs.

Mileage

The Land Rover Discovery has a fuel tank capacity of 90 litres. In terms of mileage, the automatic model is capable of returning 18kmpl by ARAI, for the 2.0-litre diesel model, in BSIV guise.

Interior

The cabin is beautifully built. Everything feels good to touch, and the level of luxury is excellent. The steering feels nice to hold, and we like the pop-out gear lever. The seats are draped in leather and the wide touchscreen is great to use. The dials look like they belong on the Discovery Sport and the air vents on the centre console are simplistic. There are two gloveboxes and huge door pockets. Under the elbow box lies a mini fridge. The front seats are huge and supportive, and there’s plenty of legroom and headroom. The seats are cooled and heated not only in the front, but also in the second row. Even the third row is very practical, and ingress and egress is easy. The Meridian sound system adds to the experience, thanks to the great level of clarity. The controls for the second and third rows can be found all over the cabin.

Features

The top-of-the-line First Edition variant comes equipped with a host of features that include heated door mirrors, dynamic volume control, heated washer jets, seven seats, powered third-row seats, 21-inch alloy wheels, Terrain Response 2, All terrain progress control, driver condition monitor, heated steering wheel, active key, 16-way adjustable leather front seats with memory, three-zone climate control, gesture tailgate, 14-speaker Meridian system, 8.0-inch rear seat entertainment display, second row USB and charging points, auto high beam assist, keyless entry, electronically adjustable steering column, interior mood lighting, rear reading lights, Navigation Pro system, electronic air suspension, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlamps with LED signature, rear view camera, twin-speed transfer box, hill launch assist, electronic traction control, front side impact airbags and side curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, cornering brake control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency brake assist, hill descent control with off-road ABS, 360-degree parking aid with visual display, Lane keep assist and lane departure warning.

Colours

The Land Rover Discovery is available in a variety of shades like Fuji White, Indus Silver, Loire Blue, Namib Orange, Carpathian Grey, Narvik Black, Yulong White, Corris Grey, Santorini Black, Silicon Silver, Farallon Black and Byron Blue Metallic. Namib Orange is certainly a colour that is bound to be a favourite among young buyers. The paint quality and finish for all the shades is excellent.

Brochure

Feel free to step into a showroom or browse through the company’s website to know all the necessary details on the bike. It will help you with details that cover specifications, colours and accessory options.

Prices and Variants

The Land Rover Discovery is available in twelve variants: 2.0 S 4WD diesel for ₹ 75.18 lakh, the 3.0 S petrol for ₹ 76.94 lakh, the 2.0 SE 4WD diesel for ₹ 79.35 lakh, the 3.0 SE petrol for ₹ 80.78 lakh, the 2.0 HSE 4WD diesel for ₹ 82.97 lakh, the 3.0 HSE petrol for ₹ 84.34 lakh, the 3.0 S diesel for ₹ 88.77 lakh, the 2.0 HSE 4WD Luxury diesel for ₹ 87.95 lakh, the 3.0 HSE Luxury petrol for 89.38 lakh, the 3.0 SE diesel for ₹ 96.89 lakh, the 3.0 HSE diesel for ₹ 1.02 crore and the 3.0 HSE Luxury diesel for ₹ 1.09 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). For further details and the on-road price of the car, you can head to autox.

There is a lot more information available on the Land Rover Discovery, along with detailed reviews of the same. You can tune into autox to know more about the brand, its models and news related to the product. Also, grab the latest info on the new cars, only at autoX.