The Goodwood Test: Land Rover Discovery 4

Heritage

The millionth Land Rover Discovery rolled off Solihull’s production line back in 2012, 23 years after the original model was introduced to fill the gap between the luxurious Range Rover and rugged Defender. Characterised by seven seats, stadium seating, stepped roof and split tailgate, the Disco has always had a boxy, utilitarian look. The current Discovery, our test car this week, will be the last generation with the squared-off design and split tailgate; the new model arrives next month with the Land Rover family new look – a sleeker front, more curved rear and a more luxuriously appointed interior. There have been howls of outrage that the split tailgate is disappearing, but equal measures of praise for the premium feel of the new car and its continual ability to astound off-road.

Design

Despite the replacement Discovery being just round the corner, this current generation is still a great-looking car and, one senses, will be much sought after by those wanting traditional rugged Land Rover styling when the new one goes on sale. Our test car was painted Loire Blue (a deep navy) with Ebony (black) leather interior: a smart combination and more child-friendly than lighter interiors.

There really is a phenomenal amount of space in this SUV: as well as leg room for seven adults to rival that offered by the Volvo XC90, there is a huge amount of headroom and light, thanks to that stepped roof. My 6ft 2in partner looked positively small at the wheel.

Yes, there is a notable difference in interior quality and specification between a Discovery and a Range Rover, but there’s also a noticeable price difference. Our test car was specced to the max – leather everywhere, TV with screens in the headrests and headphones for rear passengers, reversing camera, cooled cubby box, tow pack and blind-spot monitor – and yet came in at about £63,000, which seemed like a steal compared with modern-day Range Rover prices.

Performance

It’s a big Land Rover: remember that, and you’ll love the wallowing, relaxed gait of this beast. It’s still a remarkable pleasure to sit up high and see the whole flat bonnet laid out before you, trundling down the road. And, joy of joys, the current Discovery seems to be one of the few large SUVs left that hasn’t had 100 per cent of its lateral roll dialled out. So, while the Bentley Bentayga and Audi SQ7 might leave you feeling a little queasy with their flat cornering, the Disco offers a more traditional ride and is all the better for it. 

Despite 256bhp from the turbocharged 3.0-litre SDV6 engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic, this is not a car for testing your sporting prowess, although there is plenty of power for swift, short bursts of acceleration to get out of trouble, so long you don’t mind never touching 30mpg (the official Combined figure is 36.7mpg – good luck with that).

Off-road, the Disco is exemplary. It’s a crying shame that 99 per cent of customers will never know what their Land Rovers are capable of, because these cars remain astonishing pieces of kit, wading through rivers with the water splashing over the bonnet (wading depth in the new Disco is curtailed only by the point at which the car starts to float), and descending vertical faces, braking individual wheels.

Passion

Not everyone has a yearning for a Land Rover, but if you live in London and own a Barbour, a pair of Hunters or a black labrador, or – imagine it – if you actually live somewhere you need four-wheel drive – then there is no finer vehicle. People are positively panting for the new Defender, and meanwhile, the Discovery scores five out of five among urban families and rural dwellers. It feels big, capable, safe, its veins shot through with the soil of the English countryside. It’s the automotive equivalent of Elgar, of honey for tea, of church bells and pork pies. It’s the Great Outdoors, it smacks of adventure, thrills, durability, fresh air and a joy for life. We absolutely adore it.

Price as tested: £62,525