2013 Land Rover Discovery 4 Reviews

Like a hawaiian pizza, the Discovery 4 is the 4WD that is on every potential buyer's menu. The mainstay Disco is as competent as its rugged looks imply yet is perfectly suited to commuting duties and with seven seats, is as tempting as the pizza. Upgrades for 2014 only enhance the flavour and though there's temptation elsewhere, few rivals embrace the versatility and driveway cache of the Disco.VALUEPricing hits the mark with competitors all around the $100,000 point, though a diesel Mercedes sends it north of $120,000. In relative terms, the $95,900 for the upmarket HSE version of the Disco 4 is good value. It offers a spacious seven seats, good fuel economy, lots of features, strong 3500kg tow rating plus awesome off-road ability.Its cousin, the Range Rover, is available with the same engine for $72,000 more. Disco 4 HSE gets a Meridian 11-speaker audio, sat-nav, selectable driving mode, leather upholstery and air suspension. The test car cost $105,520, adding the Black Design Pack with 20-inch wheels, premium black paint and a digital audio. Resale is a very strong 63 per cent and though there's no capped-price service program, servicing is once a year.DESIGNIt's always been a box and that's one of its strongest features - this is a Tardis when it comes to maximising cabin room. There's a new dash for 2014 with a smaller panel for the five-mode terrain control which is now moved up the console stack, making more room for personal item storage. The fat window ledge begs for the driver's elbow - don't with the window down, it's illegal - but window switch placement up here is handy.Horizontal split tailgate is brilliant - a picnic seat when the bottom half is lowered, a tailgate upper for loading shopping and open everything for a spacious 1192 litres of load room. But third-row seats, though comfortable and roomy enough for adults, are decidedly complex and fiddly to erect and retract compared with other seven-seat wagons.TECHNOLOGYThe eight-speed automatic helps the 183kW/600Nm 3-litre bi-turbo V6 diesel to move the bulky 2.5-tonne body. The engine is a clean-up version on the longstanding V6 that is also used in the Range Rover and Jaguar. Bonus bits include the five-mode terrain assist mode that alters engine, transmission and braking to suit driver-selected road conditions. Electronic air suspension allows for ground clearance from 185mm to 310mm and flattens body roll when on the bitumen.SAFETYThere's no crash rating for this car. The previous Disco 3 rated four stars. New model gets eight airbags, rear camera, front and rear park sensors, heated mirrors, bi-xenon headlights and electronic assistance including anti-trailer away, rollover stability, hill descent and hill holder, traction and stability control. The spare is full size.DRIVINGAfter earlier testing the Range Rover equivalent, I was a bit let down by the engine's tendency to hesitate on acceleration and its indecision to quickly find a gear. It's all to do with turbo lag but is annoying, especially given there's two turbochargers.Ride comfort and handling is, however, first rate. The electronic air suspension is complex and not as durable as steel springs, but thee are over-ridden by advantages such as the flat cornering stance, the ability to raise the vehicle for off-road travel, the disregard it has for speed bumps and the cloud-like glide it gives to the ride.The steering ratio is high so needs more turns of the wheel - typical of 4WDs - but the weighting is close to perfect. It's a surprisingly easy car to park. In the dirt it prefers tyre pressures down to about 18psi and the suspension jacked up. Then, together with the low-range transfer case and the ability to select terrain conditions in the Terrain Response program, it is almost unstoppable.VERDICTLove it. Great allrounder with similar ability as the Range Rover but at a huge discount.Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 HSEPrice: $95,900 ($105,520 as tested)Warranty: 3 years/100,000km, 3yr roadside assistCapped servicing: NoneService interval: 12mths/26,000kmResale: 63%Safety: 8 airbags, ABS, ESC, EBD, TCCrash rating: noneEngine: 3.0-litre, V6 bi-turbo diesel; 183kW/600NmTransmission: 8-spd auto, 2-spd transfer; constant 4WDThirst: 8.8L/100km; 230g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.8m (L), 2.2m (W), 1.9m (H)Weight: 2495kgSpare: full size

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?WHAT IS IT?This is the latest model of the fourth generation Land Rover Discovery,in this case, the entry level diesel five seater with a few options thrown in.HOW MUCH?The price kicks off at $68,900 but this one had extra stuff pushing that up to $76,900.WHAT ARE COMPETITORS?Numerous but few with the out and out off road capability of the Disco though a Toyota Prado is a genuine competitor in most respects except prestige value. The Disco has been refined over decades to the point where it will virtually go anywhere and get back. And it features Land Rover's brilliant Terrain Response dial select 4WD system. Every other fourbie manufacturer should copy this if possible.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?This one has a 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 diesel and replaces the previous 2.7. The twin turbo system is sequential with a smaller VGT unit handling low speed stuff and a larger one chiming in further up the rev range. The engine is good for 155kW/520Nm in this model. There's an even more potent version of this engine in a more up-spec' Disco. Transmission is a sweet shifting eight speed auto.HOW DOES IT GO?Like a train. Bit tardy off the line but once up and running there are no complaints. Has strong roll on acceleration, makes little noise or vibration and has plenty of clever technology like auto neutral select at idle to cut fuel consumption.IS IT ECONOMICAL?LR claims 8.5-litres/100km but we saw better on a highway run. The tank is a handy 82 litres.IS IT GREEN?Moderately though moving 2.5 tonnes is going to make an environmental impact.IS IT SAFE?Five stars in the Euro NCAP ratingIS IT COMFORTABLE?Superbly comfortable with a supple air suspension and large seats affording a luxury car feel. Floats over bad roads like they were smooth as a baby's bum. Minimal noise intrusion, plenty of interior room.WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?We liked driving the Disco a lot. It is certainly a viable alternative to the expensive Japanese alternatives from Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi. Plus, the Disco has heaps more panache and that robust turbo diesel with an eight speed paddle shift auto. Blows them into the weeds on desirability alone.IS IT VALUE FOR MONEY?Yes until you start ticking the options boxes.WOULD WE BUY ONE?Absolutely love one. It looks like Range Rover but costs about a third as much as the big Rangey. Goes anywhere thanks to constant 4WD system, tows heaps, has plenty of driver assist features and safety kit. Not too big, superb ride, impressive array of infotainment. Particularly like the surround camera that looks sideways and back when you are reversing.LAND ROVER DISCOVERY TDV6Price: from $69,900Engine: 3.0-litres 6-cylinder diesel, 155kW/520NmTrans: 8-speed sports automatic, 4x4 constantThirst: 8.5/100km, 224g/km CO2