Overview
If you're looking for the perfect juxtaposition of power and class, you'll find both capability and refinement in the radically redesigned 2017 Land Rover Discovery. It's every bit as luxurious as its German rivals, but it also benefits from the off-roading expertise that served as the spine of every Land Rover model for decades.
The 2017 Discovery is all-new inside and out, featuring a more streamlined design that sets it apart from the previous-generation LR4. The inside is similarly refined with premium materials and advanced technology that make the new Discovery as smart as it is tough.
The Discovery is a standout midsize luxury SUV available in SE, HSE, and the elite HSE Luxury trim levels. To commemorate the model’s launch, a limited-production First Edition version is also available.
The Perfect Ride for…
Anyone looking for a refined luxury SUV with serious off-roading credentials. The new Discovery tackles muddy trails and gravelly terrain with equal ease while looking effortlessly graceful. The luxurious interior also makes the Discovery ideal for shuttling your entire crew to your next adventure in comfort—don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly the star of your carpool group.
Drive & Handling
The 2017 Land Rover Discovery retains the impressive off-road ability of its predecessor, but with a more car-like design that should ensure improved road manners.
Land Rover offers 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 with 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque that carries over from the LR4. A 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 produces 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.
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.
Key Features
Performance Technology
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.
Land Rover InControl™ Touch
The new Discovery comes standard with the automaker’s convenient InControl® Touch™ technology via an 8.0-inch display screen, providing a wealth of infotainment features to make your drive even more exceptional. HSE and HSE Luxury models come with the next-generation InControl® Touch Pro™ system, including a 10-inch HD display and Connected Navigation with Wi-Fi Hotspot. Use the InControl Route Planner smartphone app to send directions from your phone to the vehicle and find additional transportation directions once you reach your destination.
Alternative Options
The Land Rover Discovery Sport offers similar off-roading thrills to its bigger sibling in the form of a compact crossover. In contrast, the Range Rover Sport is ideal for drivers looking for a road-confident daily driver that’s ready to let loose on the weekends. Even with available seating for up to seven, the Range Rover Sport handles like a sport sedan—and draws admiring glances everywhere it goes.
Gallery
Image Credit: Land Rover
