There aren't a lot of SUVs out there that can walk the line between luxury and true capability as well as the Land Rover Discovery does. The Discovery has always been a symbol of ruggedness, something it has never compromised on throughout its 33-year-long history. Now in its third generation, the Land Rover Discovery carries the same ethos as it has through the decades, offering complete off-roading capability and sturdiness with state-of-the-art interiors and refinement. With a remarkable powertrain and a phenomenal pedigree that marks it at the top of the hierarchy of off-roading luxury SUVs (of which there are few anyway), the Land Rover Discovery is a vehicle every true off-roader has on their wishlist.
Land Rover's cars have always been known for their sheer, no-nonsense off-roading chops, much like the new Defender which has carried on that legacy. Similarly, the Discovery, too, is built with the same DNA, and offers a royal experience that turns heads in the city, and conquers any terrain it is faced with when you take it off the tarmac. With that said, here are 10 reasons why every off-road enthusiast should buy a Land Rover Discovery.
10 The Land Rover Discovery Boasts 5-Star NCAP Safety Rating
A family SUV like the Land Rover Discovery needs to be as safe as it is capable. After all, one always needs the confidence of knowing that their family is in one of the safest SUVs out there when they go out on trips.
In fact, for an off-roader like the Discovery, which would be seeing a lot more variety in terrain than an average vehicle, it is even more important to know that in case of any accident, the car would protect every occupant, thanks to its maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
9 Terrain Response 2 System Adapts To The Environment
The Land Rover Discovery can be had with Land Rover's impressive Terrain Response 2 system, which is an absolute marvel when it comes to versatility during off-road situations. The propriety technology provides Land Rover vehicles with an edge over their rivals in the segment.
The Terrain Response 2 System in the Land Rover Discovery can sense the environment around the car and change the terrain mode of the car automatically. Accordingly, it also tweaks throttle response, wheel torque, engine torque, suspension, differential, and gearbox settings according to the terrain.
8 Advanced Tow Assist On The Land Rover Discovery Makes Towing A Breeze
There's no denying that as rewarding as traveling with a trailer is during long trips and especially over-landing excursions, they're a bit of a hassle to reverse and get through tight spaces. This is where the Land Rover Discovery shines with Advanced Tow Assist tech, which helps you remain in command of your trailer at all times without ever breaking a sweat or craning your neck.
The Advanced Tow Assist system allows you to reverse your trailer using the rotary controller present on the center console, which guides the vehicle. With multiple camera angles to see every nook and cranny around your trailer, the system also shows the predicted path of your trailer, allowing you to calculate exactly how to maneuver your caravan.
7 The Land Rover Discovery Offers Versatile Accessories
A versatile SUV like the Discovery must also offer a plethora of accessories for its range of customers, and the vehicle does not disappoint. For the hikers and surfers, the Discovery's water-resistant activity key is a great way of going about their adventures without having to always worry about keeping their key safe. The Activity Key comes in the form of a band around the wrist which can unlock your Discovery.
Furthermore, an optional roof rack can take up to 132lbs of added weight for those surfing trips to the beach, and deployable side steps make the rack all the more accessible. In fact, for those who like going off-roading but never want to leave their furry friends behind, optional seat covers ensure that the premium interiors never diminish in quality or sheen.
6 Wade Sensors On The Discovery Keep You In Charge Of Water Bodies
The Land Rover Discovery has the most impressive water wade depth among its rivals like the Volvo XC90, the Audi Q7, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the BMW X5. With a wading depth of 90cm, the Land Rover Discovery is equaled only by the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
However, where the Discovery yet again shines is its wade-sensors, which automatically detect water in case you're crossing a stream or a ditch, and warn you in case you are about to reach the maximum wading depth for the SUV.
5 The Discovery Offers A Mild-Hybrid For The Environmentally-Conscious Off-Roaders
Land Rover offers the Discovery with three different powertrains, depending on the trim one goes for. The base trim is equipped only with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, which develops 296 horsepower. However, if you go for the R-Dynamic trim, you could get the 3.0-liter I6 turbo power unit which cranks out 355 horses.
For the environmentally-conscious off-roaders who want the luxury and capability of the Discovery with less of a carbon footprint to assuage their conscience, there's a 48V mild hybrid system that comes with the straight-six unit, like the top-of-the-line Range Rover, making for a great, refined overall package.
4 There's Plenty Of Storage Space In the Land Rover Discovery
Of course, for a big SUV like the Discovery, one would expect plenty of storage space, and that is not a department where the vehicle disappoints. When all three rows of seats are in use for the Discovery, the boot space is a meager 228 liters. Dropping a single seat in the third-row ups the capacity to 698 liters.
With the second and third rows down, the Discovery boasts a great boot capacity of 2,406 liters. Even on the inside, there are plenty of practical storage options in case you're traveling with the entire family, in which case the optional roof rack might come in handy too.
3 Multiple Terrain Modes Make Off-Roading Fun And Engaging
A capable off-roader that is loaded with technology, the Land Rover Discovery comes with a host of terrain modes, making the SUV ready to face any kind of environment put in front of it.
While the Auto mode would employ the Terrain Response 2 system and leave it to detect and adapt to the terrain, drivers can remain in control of the terrain modes by selecting through the Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock Crawl mode. The variety of terrain modes instills confidence in drivers for being equipped to handle whatever the trail might throw at them.
2 Exquisite Interiors Never Compromise On Comfort And Luxury
For an SUV to be as capable on and off the road, one doesn't have to compromise on luxury and comfort on the inside, and the Land Rover Discovery ensures it. With a plush cabin loaded with tech and beautiful seats and upholstery, the Discovery defines 'luxury off-roading.' An intuitive infotainment system, paired with state-of-the-art Meridian speakers makes for a great cabin experience on the Discovery. After all, Land Rover does know a thing or two about luxurious interiors.
The Discovery can be had in a premium two-tone interior as well as an all-white interior as well. The SUV even offers housings for your kids' devices on the headrests of the first row, so they can kick back and consume media hands-free on the longer trips you take. The interiors can also be protected with optional seat covers if you're planning on going through mud and grime in tandem with your car.
1 Clear Sight Ground View Feature Ensures You Have An Eye On Every Inch Underneath
Among a host of gizmos that help the Land Rover Discovery in its off-roading escapades, the Clear Sight Ground View is one of the most useful and impressive. This tech is found in the Range Rover Evoque as well as the Land Rover Defender. Using the front-facing camera, the system displays an X-ray view of under the bonnet in almost real-time.
This ensures that you don't have to get out of the car constantly to assess the road ahead and that you don't end up driving over massive rocks on the trail. In the city, too, the Clear Sight Ground View tech ensures you don't end up damaging those big beautiful alloy wheels on a curb.