Richard Berry road tests, off-road tests and reviews the Land Rover Discovery SDV6 Landmark with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
Read Richard's full review here: carsgui.de/2cneLap
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The Discovery is the sensible one of the Land Rover family - it’s not-over-the-top posh like the Range Rover but more luxurious than the Defender. It’s practical, restrained, comfortable.
It’s also a highly talented off roader.
The Discovery has been around 27 years and this fourth iteration also known as Discovery 4 arrived in 2009. Throughout this time the SUV has kept the same distinctive shape. There’s the low bonnet, the steep, tall windscreen and the stepped roofline
The Landmark special edition came out in 2016. What makes it a Landmark? Well first of all it’s basically the top of the range HSE grade - the diesel V6 version - with a few more bits.
Inside the Landmark gets Windsor leather seats - these are the Ebony ones, plus leather on the dash and doors.
The landmark also gets this - it’s a fridge under the armrest to keep your snags cool.
All of these Landmark bits join standard features such as adaptive Xenon headlights with those unique DRLs and keyless entry, while in the cabin there’s the display screen with rear view camera, a leather heated steering wheel, heated seats up front and in the second row, digital radio and a Meridian sound system.
The Landmark’s cockpit is refined, not immensely luxurious, but stately and functional, from the chunky climate controls dials to the steering wheel buttons.
In the second row it feels like there’s more headroom than Wimbledon’s centre court, legroom though is a tad tight for tall freaks like me. The third row has comfy seats but my legs are hard up against the seats back.
Not only does the carsguide pram fit longways into the boot with the rear seats down, but it’ll fit in with them up too, um, just.
With all seats folded flat it feels like a shipping container with storage boxes for your goodies and cup and bottle holders galore.
Big wide opening doors make getting in and out easy, while the split open tail gate not only gives you a table but the top offers a roof, too or just makes reaching to grab something easy.
I also like how the bonnet is low and flat you can see exactly where the front of the SUV starts.
The engine is a V6 engine that’s where the SDV6 comes from - sequential diesel V6, and it is beautifully strong it’s so well behaved and does it eactly what you tell it to, want to just edge forward you dab it anf it does, or if you need to move fast - just mash the accelerator pedal.
And there’s the ride - the Discovery SDV6 Landmark has air suspension and it’s like riding on a cushion of air.
All of these things make it lovely luxury chariot for the city that’ll fit a family and evrything that goes with it.
So I completely get the appeal of a luxury SUV that never goes off-road. But the Discovery is such a capable off roader that never taking it further than the shops like having the artist talent of Lenardo da Vinci but never using it for anything other than playing Pictionary.
Dear Mothers and fathers doing the school drop-off your Disco is made for more than this, with great ground clearance plus excellent approach and departure angles it will climb up, down and over almost anything.
Things I’m not a fan of? It’s not the best handler on the road, and the cabin is looking a bit old now - that touch screen is microscopic by today’s standards, but that will all change when the new gen comes out next year.
Things I like - I love that supercharged V6 diesel, the torque is impressive, you can feel it here. The ZF eight speed auto is also beautiful - so smooth.
What else? I love the high seating position, it’s a bit like you’re a life guard in one of those high chairs, you can see everything.
The large windows are excellent for visibility, - they also have a really low window sill. The winow controls are up here, but they’re easy to get to because you sit high.
When you take the Disco off road, it all makes a bit more sense - the engine, the steering, the height, the ride.
The Discovery SDV6 Landmark is an exceptional beast. It’s sophisticated and refined on the road, but feels so natural off the road. It’s almost a shame to see these capable animals kept in captivity in the burbs and cities. I think it’s time to set this one free … go on Disco, you’re free now... go on mate...
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20 сен 2016
