Overall rating:

Land Rover has been busy improving its Discovery 4 for 2012; more power, a new transmission and improved equipment add economy and appeal to the company's enormously capable SUV.

Key Facts

Model tested: Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE
Pricing: £51,195
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Body style: five-door SUV
Rivals: BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, Audi Q7
CO₂ emissions: 230g/km
Combined economy: 32.1mpg
Top speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 9.3 seconds
Power: 256bhp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 443lb.ft at 2,000rpm

In the Metal:

Don't expect any radical styling revisions for the 2012 Land Rover Discover 4, as the external changes are limited to new wheels and the option of extended roof rails. No, the updates that make up the 2012 Land Rover Discovery 4 are inside, though even here they're pretty limited. One thing that's immediately apparent is the loss of the ancient LCD displays. The Discovery finally has readouts less Casio circa 1970 and more Nokia phone, err, 2000 - the displays are still not exactly the last word in the latest hi-resolution screens we're all familiar with on smartphones.

It's as vast as it ever was though, but given its scale the Disco does feel a bit short of legroom in the back. Getting to the rearmost seats isn't easy, either, the Discovery being useful, if not as usefully packaged as most seven-seat MPVs.

Driving it:

The packaging might not be as clever as some seven-seat family haulers, but the Discovery counters with incredible all-round ability. Few cars, if any, will get you further, yet despite its mighty off-road ability the Discovery doesn't feel overly compromised on the road. Indeed, there's little out there that imbues its driver with such a feeling of invincibility and preparedness, even if in reality few will ever scratch the sump guard of the Discovery's enormous off-road talent. Taking it off road couldn't be easier, either, with push button simplicity via the Terrain Response system. This then automatically selects the necessary combination of differential locks, high or low ratio transmission, suspension height changes and hill descent controls.

The revisions for 2012 improve the drive further, the engine gaining 11bhp while benefitting from a reduction in CO₂ - from 244- to 230g/km. That's largely thanks to the introduction of an eight-speed automatic transmission, which borrows its pop-up rotary selector from Jaguar's parts bin. It's a quick shifting unit, working well in conjunction with the 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine.

Despite its size and weight that engine and transmission gives the Discovery 4 surprising performance. It's brisk from standstill, while mid-range urgency is impressive. Only its enormity and slightly vague steering limit its ability on the road.

What you get for your Money:

You get a smaller key for a start, Land Rover binning its massive key for an altogether more compact and less cumbersome item for 2012. The audio equipment has been overhauled, while connectivity has been improved, too. Equipment levels remain comprehensive across the range, while all Disco 4s gain paddle shift controls with the new eight-speed transmission.

Worth Noting

The new eight-speed automatic gearbox has a curve detection system that holds onto gears when cornering. It's also able to skip shift, jumping as many as six ratios when required under braking or when preparing to overtake.

Summary

The Disco's changes are in the details. Improved economy via alterations to the engine and addition of the eight-speed gearbox is welcomed, as are the revisions to the interior. Overall it remains a hugely talented all-rounder, though rivals like BMW's X5 and the Mercedes-Benz ML run it very close on-road, even if they struggle to match it off it.