Yahoo Finance All-New, More Civilized 2017 Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover continues to redesign and revitalize its model line, with the upcoming Discovery destined to supplant the long-lived LR4. Like other recent models from Land Rover, the new, fifth-generation Discovery shifts its emphasis from off-roading to more civility and better fuel economy. It sheds about 1,000 pounds of weight and retires its traditional body-on-frame construction. It will retain some off-road capability, which has long defined the brand.
Sized to position above the similarly styled Discovery Sport, the Discovery boasts three seating rows. A subtle stepped roof hints at the distinct, safari-ready profile that defines its predecessors.
The company claims its third row can readily accommodate two full-sized adults, and the seats flip and fold remotely for cargo-toting flexibility. All three rows can be had with heated seats. And to keep the digital family connected, the new Discovery offers up to nine USB ports, six 12-volt power points, and mobile WiFi.
Center stage is the optional InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, a touch-screen entertainment center that we have been underwhelmed with in other Land Rover and Jaguar models. Here, the infotainment system touts Android and Apple iOS integration, as well as 14-speaker output.
With a Land Rover, the true entertainment system is termed Terrain Response, whereby the driver can optimize a wide range of electronic settings for the current challenge, be it snow, sand, hills, or other traction-demanding situations. Despite the more urban design, the new Discovery touts more ground clearance than before, plus the ability to ford significantly deeper streams—gaining more than 11 inches, to a claimed wade depth of 35.4 inches.
Available engines will include a 340-hp, 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and a 254-hp, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. We have experienced the supercharged engine in other Land Rover/Jaguar models, where we found it to be quite powerful, though lacking aural refinement.
On paper, the new Discovery has a legend to live up to, as well as the promise of modern sophistication. Looking beyond the specs and hyperbole, the recent track record for Land Rover is decidedly mixed. The recently tested Discovery Sport was disappointing on multiple fronts, including power delivery, ride comfort, and handling agility.
In the end, the facet of the LR4 that most needed improvement is reliability. Time (and survey data) will tell whether that vital shortcoming was addressed.
Pricing will span $49,990 to $73,950 when the Discovery goes on sale in summer 2017.
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