Review of Land Rover Discovery 2020: SD V6 HSE
Test Drive

Review of Land Rover Discovery 2020: SD V6 HSE

The fifth-generation Discovery made a big difference when it came out, but for some reason everyone was too busy getting upset about a misaligned rear license plate. It was everything the Discovery could and should be, with a beautiful new interior, comfort galore, a seven-seat option, and plenty of great interior technology.

Also, it looked a lot less like a Lego car, which was one of the reasons people got upset about it.

It has been three years since he first appeared in the world. How time flies, pandemic or not. With much in common with the more luxurious Range Rover, the Discovery remains a car that commands respect and love not only from the owners of other road users, which cannot be said about its more expensive twin.

Land Rover Discovery 2020: SDV6 HSE (225 kW)
Safety Rating
engine's type3.0 L turbo
fuel typeDiesel
Fuel efficiency7.7l / 100km
Landing5 Places
Price from$89,500

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10


The SE starts at $100,000 and comes with a 10-speaker stereo, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera, front, side, and rear parking sensors, cruise control, power front seats, sat-nav, auto . LED headlights with automatic high beams, leather trim, automatic parking, power and heated folding mirrors, automatic wipers, air suspension and a full-size spare tire.

The SE starts below $100,000.

The JLR InTouch media system continues to evolve with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sadly, sat nav is even dumber than Apple Maps, which has been a problem for a long time. However, the sound is really good and it's easy to control via the screen and the context sensitive buttons on the steering wheel.

Being a Land Rover, options are almost inevitable. Yulong White is $2060, 22-inch wheels are $6240 in shiny silver, a sunroof is $4370, and a third-row seat is $3470.

The SE comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, or you can get 22-inch wheels for $6240.

HUD - $2420, Driver Assist Pack (Blind Spot Monitor, High Speed ​​AEB, Surround View Camera and Adaptive Cruise with Steering) - $2320, Two more climate zones - $1820, Keyless Entry - $1190, Heated Front Seats (850 dollars). ), a power tailgate ($790), and a few other small things push the price up to $127,319. Some of these things should be standard, others yes, whatever.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10


As you may have guessed from my introduction, I really like the new Discovery. The old one had the charm of eight-bit Minecraft, but it was an apartment building on wheels. This more Range Rover-like design may blur the lines between brands, but it's like people complaining that the Ford looks like an Aston. Not bad. I think the unapologetic exterior design that can't hide the massiveness of the Disco works really well, and the blacked-out roof looks great in Yulong White.

The exterior design works really well and the blacked-out roof looks nice in Yulong White.

The cabin is really good. I'm not usually into big cars like this, but the design team's commendable restraint makes for a lovely space. It's very simple and straightforward (and will be easier if a smart dual-screen InTouch Duo ever comes along), and the only thing I really want is different speaker stems. I find the current ones a bit flimsy to look and feel and don't fit in with the more massive aesthetic - they fit the Jaguar much better. The materials are really good and everything feels and looks solid.

How practical is the interior space? 9/10


A huge trade-off for such a gigantic area is the fact that there is a ton of space inside. The high roof makes it possible to stretch your arms up and almost straighten your elbows, especially at the back. This is a true seven-seater that only one or two other cars can match.

Trunk space starts at 258 liters, which is about the same as a small hatchback. With the middle row, 1231 liters are obtained. With the central one (40/20/40 split) side by side down, you get a frankly redundant 2068 liters.

You get two cup holders per row for a total of six, bottle holders in each door, a deep, refrigerated front center drawer, and a massive glove box.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10


JLR's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 diesel engine delivers 225kW and 700Nm of torque with an obvious all-wheel drive system. An eight-speed ZF automatic transmission sends power to the wheels. Even with a curb weight of 2.1 tons, the V6 Disco accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.

JLR's 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 diesel engine delivers 225kW and 700Nm of torque.

The air suspension system means you have a 900mm wading depth, 207mm ground clearance, a 34-degree approach angle, a 24.8 or 21.2 exit angle, and a XNUMX ramp angle.

Gross vehicle weight is 3050 kg and the Disco can tow 3500 kg with brakes or 750 kg without brakes.




How much fuel does it consume? 7/10


Land Rover claims a very modest 7.5L/100km combined. 

The last time I had a Discovery, I recorded a somewhat amazing 9.5L/100km. I wondered if this was an aberration and perhaps spent more time in the transmission's sport mode than was strictly necessary. Before stretching my legs for the long haul to see how the Discovery performs on a cruise, the trip computer showed 9.8 l/100 km. Not bad for a 2100kg off-road vehicle punching a huge hole in the air.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10


The Discovery SE has six airbags (it's worth noting that the curtain airbags don't reach the third row), ABS, stability and traction control, front (low speed) AEB with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, lane warning lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, speed zone recognition and reminder, and rear cross traffic alert.

As I mentioned, blind spot monitoring has been added to this particular car and you should really get it as standard. Oddly – ​​but not undesirably – lane departure is standard, as is clear lane departure warning so you don't run over passing cyclists when you open the door.

In June 2017, Discovery received five ANCAP stars.

The middle row also has three top cable mounts, as well as two external ISOFIX points in the second and third rows.

In June 2017, Discovery received five ANCAP stars.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / 100,000 km


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10


Land Rover's standard warranty is still three years per 100,000 km, while competitors in the Volvo and Mercedes segment have already reached five years. At the time of writing (May 2020), Land Rover offered a five-year warranty to help change the metal.

Land Rover expects to see your Discovery once a year or every 26,000 km. You can purchase a five-year service (with added roadside assistance) for $2650. It seems like a pretty decent cost to me, $530 a year.

What is it like to drive? 8/10


I've driven a few big cars recently - SUVs and SUVs, mostly from Japan - and you can tell that not much effort has been put into making them drive well. Fair enough, but a big SUV should always drive well. Because, let's face it, you're not going to track one of these, so you can make it convenient.

Despite its weight, the 3.0Nm 6-litre V700 turbodiesel seems to be always on.

The air suspension really makes the Discovery what it is. He doesn't so much absorb blows as he ignores them. The bump must be very large for you to notice it. The steering is quite slow, which means you'll be steering a little more than the Germans, but this has obvious downsides if you're doing what this car is known for. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to ford a river, slide down a sand dune, or roll down a muddy hill.

Perhaps more challenging, however, are the streets of Sydney, and Disco did a great job of that. You must have your wits about you, of course. Over two meters wide and nearly five meters long, you manage a million dollar square foot Sydney property. Despite its weight, the 3.0Nm 6-litre V700 turbodiesel seems to be always on. The eight-speed ZF is beautiful on its own, and perhaps the only thing I would like to change is the brake pedal. I want a little more bite at the top of the pedal, but that's a niche whine.

The steering is quite slow which means you will steer a little more than the Germans.

And through it all, you can carry seven people of normal height. While the rear row won't be to everyone's taste, passengers can see out the window and have ample legroom.

Verdict

As the Germans dump their biggest cars on the Discovery, the Land Rover seems to hold up well with the big 4WD. As I said last time, these Germans may have a better interior, or more power, or better handling, they are never as comfortable on-road or off-road.

Some people will tell you that the Disco is a hardcore SUV, and they're right - this thing will go pretty much anywhere. But it's also a very enjoyable tarmac ride, where he will obviously spend most (if not all) of his life.

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