When it comes to the 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury, the first thing you have to decide is whether you want a diesel or gasoline engine. The choice of diesel was made for me.
The all-new Discovery features a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine that presents 254 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission passes the power to the 4WD drivetrain.
Speed-proportional and electric-assisted steering, two-speed transfer case with active locking center differential, and dynamic stability control provide the performance and handling you'd expect in a Land Rover.
EPA fuel economy is 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for a 23 mpg average. Great mileage for a vehicle that is 195.6 inches long, 81.6 inches wide, and weighs a hefty 4,751 pounds. The Terrain Response system optimizes performance for different surfaces to ensure the 20-inch split-spoke-style wheels stick to any terrain condition, and takes you anywhere off-road you choose to go.
The new Discovery is beautifully proportioned for a full-size SUV. The sleek wrap-around LED headlights and tail lights combine with a short front and rear overhang to reduce visual length.
The windshield (with rain-sensing wipers) has a pronounced angle helping to give a streamlined appearance. Aerodynamics and a new level of refreshments are displayed in the crafted and sculpted surfaces of the Rover. British design is written all over the exterior of the vehicle.
The interior is striking, strong, and typical of Land Rover. The 10-inch infotainment touchscreen commands attention in the cabin, keeping you informed and connected.
Admittedly, the amount of technological depth and sophistication was a little over-powering for me. But before the week’s drive concluded, I was managing quite nicely.
The dashboard seems to balance everything as the premium leather and genuine wood/metal trim, coupled with precision craftsmanship, to create an atmosphere of luxury.
All this beauty doesn’t take away from the generous passenger volume or the 45-cubic-feet storage space behind the seats. Fold all the seats down for a maximum cargo space of 82.7 cubic feet.
Passenger comfort is easy to understand, with a front headroom of 40 inches and a rear headroom of 37 inches.
Land Rover is legendary for its DNA. The seven full-size seats with Intelligent Seat Fold, powered inner tailgate, and a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds for the diesel is proof of that pure bloodline.
The Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury can take you down a trail as well as a paved road. Enjoy a smooth ride on a busy road as you take a sharp curve with little effort or movement, or maybe a more challenging ride on something undiscovered. Should you choose the latter, then the Discovery allows you to travel where most folks have feared to tread.
Just because the Discovery is 1,000 pounds lighter than its predecessor doesn’t mean it has lost its strength or ruggedness. Features like Terrain Response with Rock Crawl mode, electronic air suspension, Gradient Acceleration Control, and hill-descent control assert its off-road capabilities. They allow you to comfortably experiment on the most difficult of terrain.
Safety is paramount for Land Rover with assurances and driver aids such as rear-view camera, Dynamic Stability Control, Roll Stability Control, Emergency Brake Assist, front and rear parking aid, plus traffic sign and intelligent speed limit recognition. All of these technologies help you manage traffic, roadways, and parking, which may have historically been challenging.
Widen the seat just a tad for full-figure folks like me, and the Discovery would be darn-near perfect.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury is $63,950.
Warranty
4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty
6-year/Unlimited Mileage Corrosion Warranty
4-year/50,000-mile 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or at [email protected]
