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Weekend roadtest: Land Rover Discovery V6 HSE
publication date: Aug 6, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
From once
dominating the premium off-road market and moving into the on-road sector, Land
Rover has come under intense pressure from rivals who have gone the other way.
Abilities and
expectations have changed over the years and the whole market has become
muddied with models of varying capabilities but Land Rover has always dug into
its roots and every model carrying the distinctive green and gold badge has to
|  | have very good off road ability and capability to wade through a metre of
water.
Those engineering
requirements have defined the basic design which has created a high floor and
long travel suspension package and a powertrain which must perform in any
terrain. Any other attributes and they are definitely plus points.
After the 110-inch
predecessor to the utilitarian Defender we saw Land Rover launch the first
luxury 4x4 in the Range Rover, but that left a lot of middle-ground untouched
and the Discovery was created in 1989 and then the Freelander dropped into the
expanding model range. The new Evoque will open up yet another sector from
autumn 2011.
Now the Discovery
is for many the standard heavy duty Land Rover and the main competitor to the
majority of executive soft-roaders.
Land Rover has kept
the Discovery up to date and it boasts many features available on its Range
Rover stablemate but the range is comparatively small, running to just three models,
sharing a 3.0V6 engine with 6sp automatic transmission and three trim levels, priced
from £36,785 to £50,785.
|  | My top of the range
HSE came with standard leather trim, electric sunroof, metallic paint, cruise
control and MP3 connectivity.
It is well equipped because the powertrain
includes the highly sophisticated selectable terrain response or command shift which
means you simply "dial-in" the road surface ahead and the power train
management system does the rest to give maximum traction and best responses. |
The six-speed
automatic is very smooth, quick to respond, and ratios give the Discovery
strong pull from rest, when overtaking and yet can keep everything very
composed on main roads and motorways. It will also pull 3.5 tonnes, which is
exceptional and useful.
I liked the
beautifully balanced brakes, their response and power with the strong
electronic parking brake but was less impressed by the dead feel to the big
steering wheel, although the turning circle was good for such a big vehicle.
Access is excellent
with big, wide opening doors and the rear loadbed has a split tailgate which
doubles as a useful bench for off-road picnics. Load space rises from a minimum
280 to maximum 2,558 litres and the interior will seat five in comfort but
floor stowed twin rear seats add more so long as the occupants have very short
legs.
Ride comfort is
very soft, there is a little body roll, but it does not wallow or pitch and its
roadholding is very good. The front seats have very good adjustment and even
those in the back have good support and headroom is high.
Oddments room is
very good and the secondary controls are conveniently set out for the driver
while the instruments are big and clear. The HSE test model had a reversing
camera which is really essential as the high tail hides a considerable
blind-spot but the side and front vision is very good.
|  | This good vision
means you can clearly see the road or track ahead and anticipate situations so
you can make the most of available power, but even driving with one eye on the
fuel gauge I managed only 26.5mpg, which is not particularly good for a diesel
and some way below the claimed combined average over 30mpg, although it tips
the scales at 2583kg. Discovery imparts a
feeling of safety and capability in any conditions and it is little wonder that
it is still the benchmark for premium serious off-roaders.© Robin Roberts |
| Fact file: | Land Rover Discovery HSE | | Price: £50,785 | Insurance:
41 | | Mechanical: 245bhp
3.0V6 diesel, 6sp | Fuel: 26.5mpg
| Max:112mph
| 0-62mph:
9.6sec | | Emissions:244gkm | Warranty:
3yrs/ unlimited |
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