The Land Rover Discovery comes in four different trims for 2017 and with a choice of two different powertrains. A 3.0L supercharged V6 is the base engine, providing 340 horsepower and giving the Land Rover Discovery a respectable 0-60 time of a claimed 6.9 seconds. The optional engine is a 3.0L Turbodiesel making 254 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. While acceleration is slightly slower for the diesel, the extra torque provides a more relaxed powerband, while fuel economy is also improved. Besides, with a 0-60 time of 7.7 seconds, the diesel version can't exactly be called slow. On all Discoveries, power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Base SE trim is available only with the gasoline engine and includes most of the amenities one would expect on a $50,000 vehicle, and then some. Standout features on the SE include 19-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, automatic headlights, power folding and heated mirrors, rain sensing wipers, a parking assistance system, a 10 speaker stereo and an 8-inch touch screen for the interior.
HSE models get 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, fog lights, a panoramic sunroof and keyless entry. Inside, HSE trimmed Discoveries come with an upgraded 380 watt Meridian sound system, a bigger 10-inch screen, a navigation system and 12-way adjustable seats.
The Luxury trim features unique 20-inch wheels, chrome door handles 16-way power adjustable Windsor leather front seats, heated front and rear seats (all seven of them!) a powered third row of seating, an 825 watt 14-speaker sound system, tri-zone climate control and additional ambient lighting. Interestingly, the Luxury trim includes some extra off-roading goodies as well, such as a twin-speed transfer box with a high and low range for off-roading, and an electronic air suspension system which can raise and lower the vehicle.
For 2017, there is a Discovery First Edition trim, which includes just about everything from the Luxury trim along with bigger wheels, a surround Camera system, an active key and body colored door handles.
The Land Rover Discovery is an all new vehicle for 2017. After a long hiatus in the U.S. where the Discovery name was dropped in favor of the LR4 moniker, the "Disco" as it's affectionately known, is back. More than the name has changed however, the brand new Discovery rides on a redesigned platform with styling that looks much more aerodynamic and much less boxy than that of the previous generation.
The Land Rover Discovery competes with mid-sized luxury SUV's like the BMW X5 and the Audi Q7. It starts at right around $50,000 and offers space for up to seven adults with its three rows of seating. With dimensions that are slightly longer than the outgoing LR4, the new Discovery offers plenty of space, while its trademark roofline provides extra headroom for third-row occupants. Unlike other SUV's in this class, the Discovery has real offroad chops, with enough ground clearance to tackle most obstacles and standard four-wheel drive. It can even wade through up to 35-inches of water.
