Land Rover Discovery (04 on) - Review

Passengers in the Discovery get well looked after as the suspension set up is focussed towards on-road comfort and even on rough and rocky tracks, it manages to minimise noise and vibration in the cabin. All the engines are supremely refined and quiet too, making the Discovery ideal for long motorway trips, even when towing. There's minimal wind and road noise and high-speed cruising is very cosseting. Revised models from 2009 have an even smoother ride and deliver limousine-like levels of comfort. The seats have been improved too with more support and extra comfort on long journeys. Interior space is exceptional and seven-seat versions of the Discovery can seat seven adults in comfort, a rare feat, even for people carriers. Passengers in the second row of seats get especially generous leg and headroom.

Even if you don't intend to venture off-toad, the Discovery is a very practical choice. The four-wheel drive system is a doddle to use and especially useful in snow and ice, or when towing. Slippery grass fields and muddy tracks are no issue either. The availability of seven seats makes it as useful as a people carrier and all five of the rear seats fold down flat, creating a mammoth carrying capacity of more than 2,500 litres. Up front there's lots of cubbies and stowage areas including a split level glovebox.

Few cars can offer such a feeling of being in complete command of so many functions. The high seating position gives an excellent view of the road ahead and all the main driving controls are well placed. The Discovery has an electronic parking brake which disengages in auto models when you begin accelerating in 'drive' or reverse. Quality is superb, as is the finish and the cabin has a suitably classy and upmarket feel. The only downside is that there are a lot of buttons on the central dash and the main controls can take a little getting used to. When the Discovery was facelifted in 2009 the interior was given a major redesign giving it a far more modern and upmarket look, akin to the Range Rover Sport. The clunky buttons have been replaced by a much less fussy layout along with a fresh steering wheel, instrument cluster and a new digital display in-between the two main dials. It now has the appearance of a far more expensive car than before, helped further by new mood lighting.