Inside & Out:
Not much has changed for the 2012 model year, but then it didn't need to - it still looks as modern and refreshing as the Land Rover Discovery 3 did when launched in 2004. Tonka toy proportions are now embellished with modern detailing including ubiquitous LED running lights and some new alloy wheel designs.
Inside, the biggest change is introduction of the rotary-style gear selector already seen in Jaguar's products, and chrome rings for the column stalks. The rest of it manages to successfully tread the fine line between purposeful and luxurious. One thing's for sure: space isn't at a premium, the seven-seater really is incredibly capacious.
Ride & Handling:
It's a tall old bus, and there's only so much engineers can do with the laws of physics, so yes it does roll a fair bit through the bends. Certainly, if you enter a roundabout too quickly the weight transfer can cause the ESP light to flicker, front wheels digging in hard for grip. Of course it's all taken care of safely, and as long as you adjust your driving mentality from car to SUV you'll be surprised at how capable it actually is.
Ride comfort is a special forte, the air suspension soaking up all the bumps the British road network has to throw at it. Sitting up high, looking over the castellated bonnet there's no excuse for not missing the potholes anyway, the view giving the driver ample time to spot any imperfections.
Best of all is the driving position, which, although upright, is supplemented by incredibly comfortable seats and adjustable armrests. The heated steering wheel on our test car (£180 and worth every penny) made it a particularly pleasing experience during the recent cold snap. Just don't expect it to be full of feedback, the light helm fine around town but lacking information at speed.
You've got to remember that this is not just a car though; it's also an incredibly capable off-road vehicle. We had the chance to put the car through its paces at one of Land Rover's off-road experiences, and were gobsmacked at the way it tackled the challenge. The air suspension, locking differentials and impressive Terrain Response system made short work of anything we threw at it.
Engine & Transmission:
The engine has been massaged by Land Rover's boffins so it's not only more powerful (256hp up from 245hp), but more efficient as well. It's surprisingly punchy too, allowing the Discovery to sprint from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds (remember this car weighs the best part of three tonnes). Aerodynamics are not a strong point though, so the top speed is a rather paltry 112mph.
But this car's not about speed, it's about refinement and smoothness, and those are the Discovery's trump cards. The engine is a peach, with a linear power delivery and hushed note, while the new eight-speed automatic gearbox makes the very best of this with swift, decisive and almost undetectable shifts.
Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:
You get what you pay for, and at over £50,000 the Land Rover Discovery 4 is not a cheap car. However, in HSE specification it is loaded with kit, including heated leather seats front and rear, climate control, a Harmon Kardon 11-speaker hi-fi, satnav and "say what you see" voice control. And when you consider just how capable this car is off road (Land Rover's Experience instructors believe it to be the best all-rounder) then the cost seems justified.
Just don't expect to save any money at the pumps - we struggled to get close to the official combined economy figure despite plenty of long motorway runs. And though the CO
2 emissions are lower, the 230g/km figure means the Discovery is £445 for annual road tax. Still, it's a popular choice that rivals struggle to match, so resale values remain high - and can only be better with the new 2012 model year changes.
