Next year sees the introduction of a completely new Land Rover Discovery. Revealed at this year's Paris Motor Show, the 2017 model will be the toughest off-roader in Land Rover's line-up until the arrival of the next Defender and boasts a raft of new off-road technology.
On the surface, the next Discovery is shaping up to be a more upmarket and appealing package than its predecessor, boasting a svelte, fluid, more Range Rover-inspired look as well as a posher interior. It has a sophisticated look in contrast with its boxy forefathers and should be a worthy rival for design-led premium SUVs such as the Volvo XC90 and the Audi Q7.
The new Discovery is also lighter car than the outgoing model, thanks to downsized engine choices and the extensive use of aluminium in its construction, and it should be more economical to run, especially with Jaguar Land Rover's new Ingenium diesel engine as an option.
It will slot into the range right above the Discovery Sport, its smaller and very similar-looking sibling.
Full prices and specifications for the fifth-generation Discovery have been revealed, as well as a release date. Here are all the details.
Design
After the utilitarian form of its predecessors, the new Discovery has a curvier shape heavily influenced by its Range Rover stablemates, as well as the smaller Discovery Sport.
The design stays true to the principles outlined in the Discovery Vision Concept unveiled at the 2014 New York Auto Show, with a softer, more sophisticated looking car than the fourth generation.
The front features a more slender-looking light and grille arrangement, with a rounded nose and bumper, while blacked-out window surrounds create the "floating roof" effect seen on some of Land Rover's other new additions.
The roof itself appears to slope backwards, making the car look sportier, and above the boot sits a new spoiler, while a slight hump above the rear doors creates a stepped roof as on some older models.
Black plastic-cladding runs around the bottom sides and wheel arches and there's an eye-catching line cutting upwards from the air vent on the front wings, going through the door-handles and feeding on to the back of the car.
Go around the back and you'll find a silver skid plate attached underneath the bumper. There's also a subtle nod to previous models – the number plate is mounted off-centre.
It's a significantly more aerodynamic design, but more impressive are the weight savings Land Rover has managed. The car now uses aluminium in its construction and is a massive 1058lbs (480kg) lighter. In terms of size, it's a little longer than the outgoing car and sits slightly lower.
Interior
Higher quality materials, more technology and a less-cluttered cabin and dashboard point towards this being the most luxurious Discovery yet, CarBuyer says.
The fascia is dominated by a large infotainment screen dominates the fascia, Auto Express says. Spec the InControl Touch Pro system and you get a ten-inch display laid into the wide centre console. Most of the car's settings are controlled by the display and its surround buttons, with just a small line of chunky switchgear underneath it for the climate control.
Smartphone apps can be synced to be used through this main touchscreen display while a 4G wi-fi hotspot can connect to up to eight devices.
The Discovery has enough space to carry seven adults, with the rear rows sat a little lower in order to boost headroom. With all the seats in place, boot space comes in at 258 litres. Dropping the rear two and using the Disco as a five-seater opens up a cavernous 1,137 litres, but with all the passenger seats down, there's a huge 2,406-litre cargo area. Each passenger seat can fold independently too, so there's a great amount of flexibility.
Storage cubbies are dotted around the cabin too, for an extra 44-litres of space.
Engines
There will be a choice of three engines at launch, two diesel and one petrol.
Kicking things off, the smallest diesel is a 2.0-litre Ingenium unit with 237bhp and 369lb-ft of torque. Badged as an SD4, Land Rover claims it'll be able to propel the lighter and more aerodynamic Discovery from 0-62mph in 8secs. It's the cleanest and cheapest to run in the range, with a claimed 43.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 171g/km.
The second diesel is a slightly more powerful option, but you'll trade off a little efficiency. The TD6 is a V6 diesel engine with 255bhp and 443lb-ft torque. The 7.7sec 0-62mph dash makes it a little sprightlier and it has efficiency figures of 39.2mpg and 189g/km CO2.
The petrol option won't be popular with many, but it's the quickest of the bunch. The Discovery Si6 gets a supercharged V6 petrol with 355bhp, making it capable of 0-62mph in just 6.9secs, but with much larger running costs – fuel economy is quoted at 26mpg and the CO2 figure of 256g/km means a high tax bill.
All models come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, powering all four wheels.
Off-road and assistance tech
As ever, the Discovery should be a monstrously capable car off-road. Land Rover claims it will be even better in poor conditions thanks to the extensive redesign and some new tech.
The 2017 model comes with improved approach and departure angles, so it can tackle even steeper hills. There's also a new air suspension system to improve ground clearance and you can extend the ride height by 11ins if necessary. It'll also be able to wade in water up to 35ins.
All cars get a two-speed transfer box with low-range gears as standard plus Land Rover's All Terrain Progress Control system – a cruise-control setting that can push the car along at up to 19mph on tricky surfaces, letting drivers focus on the steering wheel. An automatic terrain response system also features, alongside an advanced tow assist feature.
Prices and release
The Discovery is set to launch in spring 2017, with prices starting from £43,495 for the SD4 engine in basic S trim, although you'll also get air suspension, a power-assisted tailgate, heated windscreen and cruise control as standard.
Stepping things up, SE trim starts from £49,495 and adds sat nave, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery with heated front seats, automatic LED headlights and interior mood lighting.
The two high end trims kick off with HSE, which costs £56,995 and introduces the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, as well as 20ins alloy wheels, higher-grade leather, a panoramic roof and heated rear seats alongside a gesture-controlled tailgate.
Going for HSE Luxury nets you 21ins alloys, an electric sunroof and rear panoramic roof, plus rear-seat infotainment screens. Prices start from £62,695.
SE, HSE and HSE Luxury cars can be specced with any engine, while entry-level S versions only get the SD4 power unit.
A limited-run First Edition for £68,295 will be available at launch. It'll come with the TD6 engine and is based on HSE Luxury trim, with unique styling details. Only 600 will be made.
Reviews
Land Rover owners have come to expect a degree of "premium and unbeatable off-road" capability - and the Discovery "ticks all of those boxes", says Autocar. It's similar in build to the Range Rover and "as practical and versatile as cars come".
The car goes about "conquering" terrain without drama thanks to the company throwing in "a kitchen sink's worth" of its technology, including height-adjustable air suspension and all-weather tyres, adds the mag.
Inside, says Auto Express, the sheer amount of space for occupants is immediately noticeable thanks to the car's longer underpinnings, It's particularly spacious in the third row and can comfortably accommodate people "over six feet tall".
Car says the Discovery is "more than just a radical new look", calling it an "unstoppable car" when faced with challenging terrains and rocky surfaces. However, it's unlike many will test the off-road capabilities as the majority of drivers will "spend 99% of their time on tarmac".
The lighter aluminium architecture can be felt through the steering wheel, which makes the Discovery feel "more controlled than every before" and easy to direct down narrow country lanes, the mag concludes.
On the surface, the next Discovery is shaping up to be a more upmarket and appealing package than its predecessor, boasting a svelte, fluid, more Range Rover-inspired look as well as a posher interior. It has a sophisticated look in contrast with its boxy forefathers and should be a worthy rival for design-led premium SUVs such as the Volvo XC90 and the Audi Q7.
The new Discovery is also lighter car than the outgoing model, thanks to downsized engine choices and the extensive use of aluminium in its construction, and it should be more economical to run, especially with Jaguar Land Rover's new Ingenium diesel engine as an option.
It will slot into the range right above the Discovery Sport, its smaller and very similar-looking sibling.
Full prices and specifications for the fifth-generation Discovery have been revealed, as well as a release date. Here are all the details.
Design
After the utilitarian form of its predecessors, the new Discovery has a curvier shape heavily influenced by its Range Rover stablemates, as well as the smaller Discovery Sport.
The design stays true to the principles outlined in the Discovery Vision Concept unveiled at the 2014 New York Auto Show, with a softer, more sophisticated looking car than the fourth generation.
The front features a more slender-looking light and grille arrangement, with a rounded nose and bumper, while blacked-out window surrounds create the "floating roof" effect seen on some of Land Rover's other new additions.
The roof itself appears to slope backwards, making the car look sportier, and above the boot sits a new spoiler, while a slight hump above the rear doors creates a stepped roof as on some older models.
Black plastic-cladding runs around the bottom sides and wheel arches and there's an eye-catching line cutting upwards from the air vent on the front wings, going through the door-handles and feeding on to the back of the car.
Go around the back and you'll find a silver skid plate attached underneath the bumper. There's also a subtle nod to previous models – the number plate is mounted off-centre.
It's a significantly more aerodynamic design, but more impressive are the weight savings Land Rover has managed. The car now uses aluminium in its construction and is a massive 1058lbs (480kg) lighter. In terms of size, it's a little longer than the outgoing car and sits slightly lower.
Interior
Higher quality materials, more technology and a less-cluttered cabin and dashboard point towards this being the most luxurious Discovery yet, CarBuyer says.
The fascia is dominated by a large infotainment screen dominates the fascia, Auto Express says. Spec the InControl Touch Pro system and you get a ten-inch display laid into the wide centre console. Most of the car's settings are controlled by the display and its surround buttons, with just a small line of chunky switchgear underneath it for the climate control.
Smartphone apps can be synced to be used through this main touchscreen display while a 4G wi-fi hotspot can connect to up to eight devices.
The Discovery has enough space to carry seven adults, with the rear rows sat a little lower in order to boost headroom. With all the seats in place, boot space comes in at 258 litres. Dropping the rear two and using the Disco as a five-seater opens up a cavernous 1,137 litres, but with all the passenger seats down, there's a huge 2,406-litre cargo area. Each passenger seat can fold independently too, so there's a great amount of flexibility.
Storage cubbies are dotted around the cabin too, for an extra 44-litres of space.
Engines
There will be a choice of three engines at launch, two diesel and one petrol.
Kicking things off, the smallest diesel is a 2.0-litre Ingenium unit with 237bhp and 369lb-ft of torque. Badged as an SD4, Land Rover claims it'll be able to propel the lighter and more aerodynamic Discovery from 0-62mph in 8secs. It's the cleanest and cheapest to run in the range, with a claimed 43.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 171g/km.
The second diesel is a slightly more powerful option, but you'll trade off a little efficiency. The TD6 is a V6 diesel engine with 255bhp and 443lb-ft torque. The 7.7sec 0-62mph dash makes it a little sprightlier and it has efficiency figures of 39.2mpg and 189g/km CO2.
The petrol option won't be popular with many, but it's the quickest of the bunch. The Discovery Si6 gets a supercharged V6 petrol with 355bhp, making it capable of 0-62mph in just 6.9secs, but with much larger running costs – fuel economy is quoted at 26mpg and the CO2 figure of 256g/km means a high tax bill.
All models come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, powering all four wheels.
Off-road and assistance tech
As ever, the Discovery should be a monstrously capable car off-road. Land Rover claims it will be even better in poor conditions thanks to the extensive redesign and some new tech.
The 2017 model comes with improved approach and departure angles, so it can tackle even steeper hills. There's also a new air suspension system to improve ground clearance and you can extend the ride height by 11ins if necessary. It'll also be able to wade in water up to 35ins.
All cars get a two-speed transfer box with low-range gears as standard plus Land Rover's All Terrain Progress Control system – a cruise-control setting that can push the car along at up to 19mph on tricky surfaces, letting drivers focus on the steering wheel. An automatic terrain response system also features, alongside an advanced tow assist feature.
Prices and release
The Discovery is set to launch in spring 2017, with prices starting from £43,495 for the SD4 engine in basic S trim, although you'll also get air suspension, a power-assisted tailgate, heated windscreen and cruise control as standard.
Stepping things up, SE trim starts from £49,495 and adds sat nave, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery with heated front seats, automatic LED headlights and interior mood lighting.
The two high end trims kick off with HSE, which costs £56,995 and introduces the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, as well as 20ins alloy wheels, higher-grade leather, a panoramic roof and heated rear seats alongside a gesture-controlled tailgate.
Going for HSE Luxury nets you 21ins alloys, an electric sunroof and rear panoramic roof, plus rear-seat infotainment screens. Prices start from £62,695.
SE, HSE and HSE Luxury cars can be specced with any engine, while entry-level S versions only get the SD4 power unit.
A limited-run First Edition for £68,295 will be available at launch. It'll come with the TD6 engine and is based on HSE Luxury trim, with unique styling details. Only 600 will be made.
Reviews
Land Rover owners have come to expect a degree of "premium and unbeatable off-road" capability - and the Discovery "ticks all of those boxes", says Autocar. It's similar in build to the Range Rover and "as practical and versatile as cars come".
The car goes about "conquering" terrain without drama thanks to the company throwing in "a kitchen sink's worth" of its technology, including height-adjustable air suspension and all-weather tyres, adds the mag.
Inside, says Auto Express, the sheer amount of space for occupants is immediately noticeable thanks to the car's longer underpinnings, It's particularly spacious in the third row and can comfortably accommodate people "over six feet tall".
Car says the Discovery is "more than just a radical new look", calling it an "unstoppable car" when faced with challenging terrains and rocky surfaces. However, it's unlike many will test the off-road capabilities as the majority of drivers will "spend 99% of their time on tarmac".
The lighter aluminium architecture can be felt through the steering wheel, which makes the Discovery feel "more controlled than every before" and easy to direct down narrow country lanes, the mag concludes.
