Land Rover Discovery review
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As the Range Rover moved ever further up the luxury ladder, Land Rover needed a car to bridge the gap between that and the workhorse Defender. This was where the Discovery slotted in as a rival to the Mitsubishi Shogun and Toyota Land Cruiser, and it’s been a big hit with SUV buyers ever since.
A bit like a Swiss Army knife, the Discovery in all its generations can be adapted to suit a multitude of needs and demands. It works as a family estate, luxury car, motorway cruiser and, naturally, a brilliant off-roader. It’s also great at towing and can seat up to seven in comfort. With the latest hybrid models, it even provides affordable daily running costs.
As a used car, a little caution is needed when choosing an older Discovery as many have led hard lives. However, some careful checks and common sense will net you one of the best all-round vehicles on the road, and off it.
Ask the Land Rover Discovery to do almost any task and it gleefully does so with ease. About the only thing it won’t do brilliantly is lap a race track, but it will cut across country without hesitation. A Discovery will also transport you and the family with space to spare and in fine comfort.
Corrosion is a concern on older Discoverys, so check the underside carefully as well as the more obvious body panels. Many will have been used to tow trailers, which means you need to look for regular engine and gearbox oil changes. Off-road damage underneath the car should be obvious, and check inside for any leaks from the sunroof if fitted.
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The Land Rover Discovery has held its value well thanks to its desirable image. Plenty of drivers covet them for towing caravans and trailers, which also bolsters prices. Running costs can be pricey, especially with petrol-powered models, while some engine maintenance is expensive but essential to the long-term health of the car.
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Just as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 looked to be eclipsing the Land Rover Discovery, the fifth-generation model arrived in 2017. Other than the slightly odd-looking off-centre rear number plate position, this Discovery’s styling is sleek and almost Range Rover-like. It’s also very comfortable, cheaper to run than previous generations, and still brilliant at off-road work and towing.
You’ll need £28,000 to buy a five-year old Mk5 Discovery, which will come with average miles and a complete history of service and maintenance. That price gives you a choice between the 2.0- and 3.0-litre diesel models, while 2.0- and 3.0-litre petrol versions command from £33,000.
There’s not much point in choosing a Mk5 Discovery in anything less than HSE trim as it comes with all of the equipment you could want or need. This includes a decent infotainment system and connectivity. For towing, the 3.0-litre diesel is the best bet, but for most drivers the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is more than up to the job.
This is by far the most reliable generation of Discovery, so any car with a complete service history should be trouble-free. Check that it’s not been driven hard off-road and make sure it’s been serviced at the correct intervals as this model seems to need more frequent routine maintenance than previous Discoverys.
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A major round of revisions to the Mk3 Discovery ended up in Land Rover calling this updated car the Discovery 4. Biggest change was under the bonnet with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel in place of the earlier 2.7 motor. It gave better performance and economy, while changes to the styling and cabin made the Discovery even more upmarket and chic.
If you don’t mind a car with plenty of miles on the clock, a Mk4 Discovery can be yours from £7000. For one with a more typical mileage for its age, £10,000 is the base price for a car in good condition and with a full service record. Petrols are very rare in the UK and not worth spending more on.
The 2012-on SDV6 diesel model is the one to aim for as it has a little extra power and better fuel economy. An SE comes with all the essentials, but the HSE adds in luxuries like leather upholstery and climate control. A seven-seat model makes the Discovery more versatile.
The twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine can be expensive to sort if one or both of the turbochargers fail, so look for any signs of black smoke when the car is started or under acceleration on the test drive. The spare wheel that sits beneath the boot floor is a target for thieves and pricey to replace.
Land Rover pushed the Discovery up a notch or two in the luxury and desirability stakes with the third-generation model. Great looks and a much-improved drive made it a very different car to drive on the road, while a new Terrain Response system made it even more untouchably able when driving in the dirt. It’s also a sensationally capable tow car.
Starting price for a Discovery 3 with an MoT is £2500 for a 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel, but it will have a lot of miles and patchy service record. Clean, straight examples with reasonable miles and the desirable automatic gearbox start from £7000. The rare V8 petrol is not worth paying any more for as it’s very expensive on fuel.
Unless you really want the thirsty 4.4-litre V8 petrol, the 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel engine is the one to have. Coupled to the automatic gearbox, it’s smooth and quiet, and fuel economy is acceptable at 30mpg on the motorway for this size of car. The HSE trim brings leather seats, climate control and twin sunroofs.
The V6 diesel needs all of its running belts changed at 100,000 miles, which is expensive, so check this work has been carried out recently. Also listen for any rattles from the engine when it’s warmed through. Look for any cracks around the sunroof frames as these can cause leaks into the cabin.
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It may look much the same as the first Discovery, but the Mk2 was all new except for the tailgate. It sits on a longer wheelbase chassis to give more cabin and luggage space, while the only other carry-over part was the V8 petrol engine now in 4.0-litre guise. A new five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbodiesel was Land Rover’s own work.
Running and driving Discovery 2s can be had from £2000, but they will need careful inspection before handing over the money. Around £3000 is safer territory for cars that are sound but with tatty interiors, while a further £1000 puts you in a smart example. Petrol and diesel values are much the same.
All Mk2 Discoverys are five-door estates, but some have five seats and others seven. The seven-seater is more versatile, while ES trim gets you more of life’s luxuries. The 2.5 TD5 turbodiesel is the best engine option for anyone that’s cost-conscious, but the V8 is very refined. Choose the diesel and you’ll prefer the manual to the sluggish auto transmission.
Chassis rust is by the biggest concern with the Mk2 Discovery as anything more than surface corrosion could necessitate a complete chassis swap. That will make most cars economically unviable to repair. The rear air suspension is also a weak spot and leaves the car slumped at the rear when it leaks.
The first-generation Land Rover Discovery is the most utilitarian of the breed as it was intended to appeal to both those working on the land and the landed gentry. It did this through its ability to deal with any type of terrain while you sat in a Terence Conran-styled cabin.
Not much more than £1000 could see you driving a Mk1 Discovery, but it will be a car that’s had a hard life and not be in great shape. Better to allow £3000 in the budget to find a solid car with the 2.5-litre turbodiesel, while cars from late in the Mk1’s production life with the 3.9-litre V8 and in exemplary condition are in demand from £4000.
The 3.9-litre V8 engine with five-speed manual gearbox is undoubtedly the best Mk1 Discovery to drive. However, it will be very expensive to fuel, so the noisy but reliable 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is the best choice. It’s tough and works well with manual or auto ’boxes. The 2.0-litre petrol is too slow to bother with.
If a Mk1 Discovery has lasted until now, it’s probably been looked after. Maintenance is key with these cars and it doesn’t come cheap. The engines are prone to wear, while suspension, brakes and electrics can all throw up problems. However, the chassis and body resist rust well.
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