Land Rover Discovery TD6 HSE she says, he says review
He: Land Rover’s fifth-generation Discovery pushes the big ‘Disco into upmarket territory well beyond its workmanlike roots. We’re testing the highly-specified HSE model with a powerful V6 turbo diesel engine, what did you think of its looks?
She: The Land Rover Discovery is one of my favourite SUVs. I loved the Discovery Sport and couldn’t wait to try out this luxury version of the Discovery. Though it’s missing a premium Range Rover badge, it’s undoubtedly a glamorous-looking vehicle. The back however does look a bit boxy and chunky, probably because of its sheer size. Still, the Disco has a real presence about it. It really stands out from the pack and that’s partly due to its sheer size.
He: You’re right in saying this is a big machine, certainly more sizeable than the more compact Discovery Sport. I agree that it looks sleek and luxurious compared to the outgoing model, though the rear is a little slabby and shapeless. The real wow factor comes from the interior, which is on another dimension to four-wheel-drive rivals such as the Toyota LandCruiser and Ford Everest – this really does feel like a luxury car.
She: I agree the cabin is very plush. You can see and feel the high quality materials used for the interior and the attention to detail. There’s plenty of storage and room inside. The two-tone leather seats look great, however, I don’t think white leather is practical. There’s also an option to have electronically foldable rear seats controlled through smart phone app, but at $4800 it’s a very expensive and unnecessary option. The infotainment is simple to use, though, it lacks the more convenient smartphone mirroring technology such as Apple CarPlay or Android auto. It would’ve been nice to have digital radio as standard, too. Under the bonnet, the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine does have a bit more power at 190kW and 600Nm but it still feels heavy to drive.
He: Yep, at 2300 kilograms or so, this certainly is a big car. I feel like the engine acquits itself well, offering decent shove and the ability to reach 100km/h in just 8.1 seconds while using just 7.2L/100km of fuel. While few full-sized four-wheel-drives feel particularly brisk, the V6 Discovery is certainly a better bet performance-wise than its four-cylinder cousin. Dynamically, the Discovery feels planted on the highway but a little awkward at low speed – direction changes aren’t its forte. There’s a broad spectrum of abilities at play here – it has to be comfortable on tarmac and just about unstoppable off-road, and the Discovery does it all well.
She: There’s no denying the Disco is slow off the mark but it’s still very enjoyable to drive. It feels comfortable and smooth but probably less refined and not as dynamic as rivals like the Audi Q7. I got a chance to drive this off-road and as expected, it lived up to those credentials. What did bug me was the restricted rear visibility. I couldn’t see out the back with those large seat headrests. The Discovery does offer a comprehensive amount of safety equipment, along with the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating but the British brand doesn’t have a great history in terms of reliability.
He: Yep, Land Rover does have a slightly iffy reputation, which hasn’t been helped by minor electric niggles I’ve experienced in the latest Disco. It’s also none-too-cheap at well over $100,000 plus options and on-road costs – and this particular car has $17,000 in extra gear.
She: I think it becomes pretty expensive for families. I actually preferred the seven-seat version of the Discovery Sport. It’s not as big but for around $66,000, it’s almost half the price and offers decent equipment and safety features. You’ll have to forgo the V6 engine but that means better fuel economy, too.
He: I’d rather have the real deal – the full-sized Disco. You don’t have to spend a heap to get into one of these – the base model is priced from $65,960 plus on-roads – but you do need to be prepared to pay a little more to get exactly what you need.
Land Rover Discovery TD6 HSE price and specifications
Price: From $103,661 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Power: 190kW at 3750rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1750-2250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.2L/100km