New for 2017

The Discovery is all new for 2017.

Discovering A New Path

Over the past 60 years, Land Rover has evolved from a maker of basic work vehicles to one of the world’s most recognized luxury brands.

Performance

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery retains the impressive off-road ability of the previous-generation model (which was sold as the LR4 in the U.S.), but with a more car-like design that should ensure improved road manners.

Land Rover will offer gasoline and diesel engine options, both with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The gasoline engine is a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that carries over from the LR4, with 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 produces 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque and should be the most fuel-efficient option (EPA fuel-economy ratings will be available closer to launch).

Carmakers love to say their vehicles are all new, but that’s genuinely the case with the Discovery. It rides on an aluminum-intensive platform designed from the ground up. The Discovery is 85 percent aluminum, with 43 percent of that recycled. That approach saves 1,000 pounds compared to the LR4, but that model’s off-road readiness is retained. The Discovery boasts an impressive 11.1 inches of ground clearance and can ford 35.4 inches of water, according to Land Rover.

As with other Land Rover models, the Discovery gets plenty of technology to help drivers negotiate the rough stuff with ease. The Terrain Response 2 system alters various vehicle parameters for different types of terrain, and All-Terrain Progress Control basically acts like low-speed cruise control on tricky surfaces. Land Rover also offers Advanced Tow Assist—which takes over steering when backing up a trailer—and hill descent control.

Features

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery is a five-door, seven-seat luxury SUV. It goes on sale in mid-2017 in three trim levels, priced starting from $49,990.*

Standard features on the base Discovery SE model include 19-inch wheels, power folding heated exterior mirrors, rain sensing wipers, power tailgate, leather seats, 10-speaker audio system, and the Land Rover InControl™ Touch infotainment system with 8.0-inch touchscreen.

The Discovery HSE builds on the SE, incorporating its applicable standard features and adding 20-inch wheels, power sunroof, LED headlights, grained leather seats, and an upgraded InControl™ Touch Pro infotainment system with 10.0-inch touchscreen and navigation. In addition to those features, the HSE Luxury model adds a 16-speaker Meridian® audio system, three-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, interior ambient lighting, and other features.

Besides the standard array of trim levels, Land Rover will launch the 2017 Discovery with a special First Edition model. Only 529 examples will be available in the U.S., with special styling elements like etched map detailing on the aluminum trim on the doors and dashboard, model-specific badging and body-color choices, and the highest level of standard equipment.

Design

Land Rover models started out as boxy, utilitarian work vehicles, but have evolved into bona fide luxury SUVs. No vehicle embodies that transition like the redesigned Discovery. It sheds the relentlessly square look of the LR4 for a sleeker, more car-like design inspired by the Discovery Vision concept, which was first seen at the 2014 New York Auto Show.

The Discovery is sleeker overall than the LR4, with a rounded front fascia and domed hood, and a lower roofline with a steeply raked windshield. The C-pillar also leans toward the front of the car, further streamlining the profile. Large round wheel arches and prominent front air intakes add a bit of muscle to the design.

Land Rover claims the Discovery is a genuine seven-seater, with room for full-size adults even in the third row. Designers also created plenty of room for cargo, including 82.7 cubic feet of total space, or 45 cubic feet behind the second row. The Discovery is also the result of what Land Rover calls “storage addiction,” with plenty of cubbies and nooks, including a center console that can hold a pair of 2.0-liter beverage containers.

The Discovery features the Land Rover brand's latest InControl™ Touch infotainment systems, and plenty of other tech features. Door-to-door navigation can pair a smartphone with a car’s navigation system for complete directions. The Discovery is also available with the Activity Key wristband introduced on the Jaguar F-PACE. It’s a waterproof key substitute that allows owners to leave their real keys in the car while engaging in activities that might damage it.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Land Rover Discovery includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and a full array of airbags. A rearview camera, high beam assist, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, park assist, and a surround camera system are all optional.

Verdict

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery radically reinvents one of the original luxury SUVs.

For more information on the 2017 Land Rover Discovery, contact us online or visit 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

*Prices listed are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the vehicle and options chosen by you. These prices do not include transportation, taxes, title, other options, dealer installation costs, or other dealer charges.

Image: Land Rover