New Land Rover Discovery Review - 3.0 TD6 HSE

When the new Discovery arrived, it did so just as Land Rover began resolving its array of nomenclatures once and for all. Range Rover badges are the domain of the empirically luxurious vehicles whereas SUVs sporting the Discovery moniker are allegedly the more practical ones; mind you they don't fall short on creamy premiumness either.

As for the Defender, we'll get to that on another occasion, but it’s safe to say it will continue to be the rough and tumble rock-grappler we've come to love over many decades. But that doesn't mean its comfy siblings are any less capable, meet again the new Land Rover Discovery. Don’t call it a Disco 5. They don’t like it when you do.

There’s a wide enough array of models here, but we have the one that honestly makes the most sense. It’s the 3.0 TD6 in HSE trim, so 3rd in the pecking order of S, HS, HSE and HSE Luxury derivatives. On top of the already well-appointed HS then it receives fog lamps and high-end rear lamps, keyless entry, automatic high beam assist and a powered-inner tailgate.

The Atlas silver accoutrements ala the grille and side vents are replaced with Narvic Black surrounds, two-zone climate control is upgraded to three, the wheels are now massive 20” inch split alloys, you are blessed with a high-end Meridian 380W sound system with 10 speakers and finally the pews are upgraded to Seat Pack 3; grained leather with twelve-way adjustability and memory.

If you can restrain your pimp hand in the sense that you don’t liberally option yours to the high heavens, the standard diesel-powered HSE is yours for R1,243,700. For your money you get the firm’s three-litre with190kW and 600Nm on tap, or enough to tow 3.5 tonnes all-day, every day with no fuss whatsoever, transferred to four wheels via a buttery-smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.

That endows you with a sprint time of just 8.1 seconds to 100kph, a max speed of 209kph with an environmental payload of 207g/km of CO2. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.8 l/100km. I managed 9.4. Still, not bad for a tank, albeit one as svelte as this. A tank mind you, brimming to the rafters with technology and toys. The cabin alone rewards you with acreage of entertainment features and then there’s the safety and 4x4 gubbins underpinning it all. Automatic height adjustment and cabin air ionisation? We have those!

Both visually and in ability, the gap between it and the Range Rover is blurrier than ever, now even sharing identical double wishbone suspensions at the front. Our test car has a wading depth of 900mm – which despite heavy rainfall in the Cape, I did not get to test.

There’s also a wealth of stowaway options in the cabin – a veritable hidey-hole heaven, a mafia boss’s dream come true. Back to the Range Rover – much like how when the little Discovery was revealed, dare I say the Evoque started to lose its sheen somewhat, so too does the Range Rover’s lustre diminish in comparison to this new Discovery. There are still differences in the metal, in the price range, but as an ownership experience they’re nigh on par.

As a driving experience, gravel travel was brief but effortless and as for asphalt well, the Discovery’s road manners are sublime. Flavourful steering and a flat-for-its-size handling demeanour means the new Discovery enjoys being pushed as much as you enjoy pushing.

Okay, let's wrap this up

Look, the Land Rover’s latest Discovery is an expensive thing that’s well worth the money. It’s been a flawless steer during our week with it and I love the looks of it although I must admit some of its boxy charm has been lost. Yet, I am getting tired of defending the Discovery’s rear number plate position now.

Yes, the Disco 4 had it’s plate in the exact same spot but because it was a squarer shape ala motorcycle style, nobody cared – but the traditional rectangle now looks strange. The solution is obviously buy a Land Rover Discovery for yourself. That means one less to look at, as you’ll be cocooned inside it instead, a vantage from which there is absolutely nothing to complain about.

Land Rover Discovery HSE 3.0 TD6 Diesel Spec: