When it comes to all terrain off-road performance, the Land-Rover is supreme. That applies across the board, from the workhorse Defender, through the Freelander and Discovery ranges to the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Whatever about the Defender, the other models also have an on-road performance, that stretches from the highly creditable to the absolutely outstanding. My test car was fitted with the new 3.0 litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine, driving all four wheel through a six speed, sequential manual/automatic gearbox, with high and low ranges.
On road it had a potential top speed of 180 kph (112 mph), which is more than satisfactory, considering that the maximum speed in most countries in the European Union is 120 kph (75 mph). Acceleration from 0-100 kph is 9.6 seconds, which again is more than satisfactory, especially when you consider that Mazda’s MX5 with a 1.8 litre petrol engine takes 9.4 seconds. Unlike the Mazda, which is a superb open two seater roadster, the Land-Rover Discovery is a highly versatile on and off road performer with up to seven seats if required. It will also tow braked trailers of up to 3500 kg on road and up to 1000 kg off road. If the need arises, it will wade through water up to 700 mm deep and it will safely climb and descend impossibly steep hills, off road. It is truly an all terrain performer.

When the Discovery 3 was launched some years ago, I was offered the opportunity to drive the car up in the far north of Scotland. That test drive included climbing steep, soft sand dunes, wading through coastal lagoons, descending impossibly steep mountain sides, battling through thick slimy mud and negotiating narrow, rocky mountain tracks. The Discovery 3 came through with flying colours, thanks to its Terrain Response equipment. Nothing has changed with the Discovery 4.
For this test the vast majority of my driving was done in city and suburban driving conditions, with an occasional jaunt into the open countryside just for a change.

In city driving conditions that superb automatic six speed gearbox, makes the driving absolutely effortless. Just shift the gearlever into the Drive position and forget about it. The gearchanges are absolutely smooth and silent. The only indication you have is the tachometer and the subdued hum of the engine as each change is made. The steering is power assisted, so steering this big car is also effortless. The large diameter steering has a beautiful feel with its soft leather covering.

The driving controls are all logically laid out, easy to see whilst driving, clearly marked and easy to reach. It all helps to make the driving experience, so relaxing and enjoyable. The main instrument binnacle contains the tachometer on the left and a matching speedometer on the right. Between them there is a rectangular digital information panel, that provides a variety of different information, as well as the the engine temperature gauge on the left and the fuel level gauge on the right. A rotary switch and several buttons on the centre tunnel, ahead of the gearlever, provide all the controls for the Terrain Response equipment. On the centre console immediately above, there are three rotary controls for the dual zone climate control, as well as several other buttons for things like windscreen and rear window defrosting. The two outer knobs indicate the internal temperatures selected for each side of the car. The audio system and CD player, with their associated controls are immediately above. In addition there are further controls on either side of the steering wheel for the audio, cruise control and BlueTooth associated equipment. A digital screen in the top centre of the facia indicates the time and date, when the audio is switched off and audio related information when it is switched on.
Controls for the four electric windows are in a panel on the driver’s door, together with the necessary equipment for the electrically adjustable, exterior rear view mirrors. A rotary switch on the lower section of the facia, between the steering wheel and the driver’s door operates the lights with other adjustments for levelling. The steering wheel adjusts for height as does the driver’s seat. The seat itself is well shaped, well padded and very comfortable, with all the necessary adjustments for reach and backrest angle. The three centre row rear were also comfortable, if not quite in the same league as the two front seats.

If I have a reservation, it is that the two, foldaway third row seats, are not in the same league at all. Folding away into the floor, they have very thin cushions and backrests, by comparison with the other five seats. Also the substantial headrests on the two outer second row seats, hit the floor when the seat cushion is folded, preventing it from going into a fully vertical position and this tends to obstruct access space to the two rearmost seats.

Naturally when all seven seats are in use, luggage space is at a minimum. However, due to the height of the vehicle, when only five seats are in use, it is a very generous 1.192 cubic metres, while when only two seats are required it expands to an impressive 2.558 cubic metres. Access to the luggage space is through a horizontally divided lift up/fold down tailgate. The division between the upper and lower sections is curved, being higher on the left hand side, than it is on the right hand side. This facilitates loading small items, without having to open the lower section. When the lower section is open and the top section closed it also makes a handy viewing platform, for one person standing on it, or a handy seat for somebody sitting on it, during outdoor activities.

Above left : 5 seater luggage space ------------------- Above right : 2 seater luggage space

The jack and wheel changing tools are stored in a locker on the right hand side of the boot, whilst a full size alloy spare wheel is carried in a cradle below the luggage floor.
In an urban/suburban environment, the height and size of the vehicle make it a bit on the intimidating side for other traffic, especially smaller cars. The advantage is that the driver of the Discovery 4 can see over most other passenger cars, thus affording the driver a much better view of the road and the traffic conditions ahead. The two exterior rear view mirrors are also large and of a sensible shape, thus providing an excellent view for the driver down either side of the car. One aspect of urban driving that I did find to be more difficult, was positioning the car in narrow marked lanes, as sitting up high it is more difficult to see the painted lanes on the road surface below. Perhaps the slab sided shape of the car also contributed to this phenomenon. Out of built up areas, even on narrow country roads, this was not a problem and the better view all round was a positive advantage. While it is urban friendly, it is certainly much more at home in rural surroundings.

On the urban cycle the 3.0 litre diesel, mated to the six speed sequential manual gearbox and driving all four wheels, is credited with an excellent 25 mpg (11.2 lt/100 km), which improves to an amazing 34 mpg (8.3 lt/100 km) on the extra urban cycle. This gives a combined cycle average of 30 mpg (9.3 lt/100 km). Perhaps unfortunately exhaust emissions are 244 gm/km, which places the Discovery 4 in the highest Irish road tax band G, with an absolutely crippling annual road tax rip-off of a massive 2100 euro at present rates. This is a totally unjust and unfair discrimination against a very large section of our population, who need vehicles of this sort for their daily lives. It is also a damning indictment of those politicians who get supplied with large luxury limousines, which do not cost them a brass farthing in road tax, insurance, fuel costs, and road tolls, not to mention free parking, all at the taxpayers expense.

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