Land Rover Discovery 2.0 SD4 SE review

Is this new Land Rover Discovery all set to be a success before it’s even arrived in showrooms? One look at the order banks and you’d have to think so.

The green oval is sitting on an unprecedented 20,000 pre-orders for this new Discovery worldwide, 4000 of which are in the UK.

Reduced running costs

Then again that’s understandable when there’s a lot to like about this new Discovery, especially for business drivers. The addition of Land Rover’s 240bhp 2.0-litre Ingenium turbo-diesel engine borrowed from elsewhere in the British firm’s range means that average fuel economy is up to 43.5mpg and emissions are now from 171g/km meaning a 34% BIK band. There’s more good news for fleet managers too with reduced SMR bills and costs per mile rates plus improved residual values too.

Although this new 2.0-litre entry-level model is expected to account for the bulk of business sales, there remains a 258bhp 3.0-litre turbo-diesel choice too. Although on paper this isn’t much faster (0 to 60mph in 7.7 seconds versus 8.0 for the smaller diesel) and has 189g/km emissions (37% BIK), it does boast more grunt, which is noticeable on the road.

While the 2.0-litre remains smooth and capable on the move thanks in large part to the eight-speed automatic gearbox, it’s hard to forget that this remains a 2.2 tonne car (despite a 480kg weight saving over its predecessor) and from standstill it can sometimes feel somewhat sluggish and slow to respond.

Refined

What isn’t in doubt across the board though is the new Discovery’s huge leap in terms of its refinement and comfort. Road, wind and engine noise have all been dramatically reduced and the ride comfort from the new suspension makes it a far more refined cruiser at higher speeds.

For the first time since 2004, that’s not the end of the story when it comes to engine choice either. There’s now also a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with 340bhp which, while Land Rover admits it’s only likely to account for 5% of sales and is unlikely to be high up the shopping lists of many business drivers, especially with a 26.0mpg average and 254g/km emissions, it does have one eye on the growing turning opinion against diesel. A plug-in hybrid version will join the range in the future too.

Versatile

While some of the Discovery’s statistics could be better against its talented seven-seater 4×4 rivals, they’d be hard-pressed to beat the Land Rover’s well thought-through interior. There’s better materials and more technology and the seven-seats remain as before, but all five rear chairs can now genuinely seat adults in relative comfort and all boast Isofix mounting points for child seats.

There’s also an incredible nine USB ports and six 12-volt charging sockets around the cabin, plus 21 storage areas amounting to 45 litres of extra space. Two particularly neat ones are beneath the sliding central cup holders between the driver and front passenger and also a hidden cubby revealed behind the ventilation controls that flip down.

Some past owners might lament the passing of the traditional split tailgate in favour of a more conventional hatchback, although there is now a fold-out bench seat instead as well as a wet storage area beneath the boot floor.

As you’d expect, off-roading ability is second to none with improved ground clearance and there’s also Advanced Tow Assist, which enables you to use the cruise control and exterior cameras for easier reversing when towing.

It’s hard not to come away being very impressed with the new Discovery. On paper, its emissions and economy figures could be better against its rivals, but in practice, the Land Rover’s interior and sheer flexibility and practicality for families are sure to win many buyers over. Make no mistake, those 20,000 early pre-order customers will not be disappointed. This is the best Land Rover Discovery yet.