Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4 HSE

It takes a lot of skill and expertise from designers to turn a rather boxy square looking SUV into something a lot more sleek and modern.

The designers of the new Land Rover Discovery have hit that nail right on the head. While short of a work of art, the new shaped Discovery is sleek, modern, very pleasing to the eye and makes just about all others in its class look positively ancient. 

There are hints of the Ranger rover Evoque ,but thankfully without the Evoque's low squashed roofline that destroys rear visibility.There are also design cues from the big daddy Range Rover Vogue.

The five seat Discovery seems a lot smaller externally than it's tall, boxy upright predecessor, but inside there's plenty of acreage, in fact it's vast....leg and head room is excellent.The front seats are both heated and chilled and there are numerous storage spaces around the cabin.The Sport comes with tinted windows at the rear which adds to the overall style.

Land Rover has done away with that name on the bonnet and boot.. instead relying on the word Discovery to tell others what you are driving.There's a full length fixed glass sunroof, that adds to the spacious interior feel, and a shade that covers it on hot summer days.The tailgate is powered, up and down at the touch of a botton..

The only minor design quibbles.. the rear windows only go half way down, and if it's raining and the driver' window is open, even only sightly, water drops fall straight off the A pillar soaking the power window switches on the top of the window sill. I hope they're waterproof! The rotary console gear selector is straight out of the Jaguar parts bin, but I prefer a regular lever shifter..It takes just a couple of seconds for the knob to rise  and you can select a gear.If you're in a hurry it's a tad slow, but you would get used to it. 

The central information screen is easy to use and provides you with all you need to know, including sat nav and a quality digital sound system. You can also change the ambient interior lighting through ice blue to red.. a nice luxury touch.

As in all Land Rovers there are multiple traction choices, at the touch of a button.The Discovery, like its opposite number the Jeep Cherokee, will go just about anywhere.

However the Sport model on test here has enormous black 20 inch wheels with 245/45 series tyres better suited to the highway than the outback.

Grip in corners is excellent.. the fat tyre and wheel combo and suspension inspire confidence with little body roll. 

Safety features include a lane departure warning that vibrates the steering wheel if you start to drift off course, and active cruise control that keeps a set distance from a vehicle in front of you. It also has a pedestrian airbag at the base of the windscreen..should you have the misfortune to hit someone.. It's a great innovation that I've not seen on any other car. 

The diesel engine is quite frugal. I averaged around 8 litres per 100 kilometres in a mix of city and country driving. Giving a range of around 700 kilometres fom a tankful.. even more on the highway.

Acceleration is surprisingly eager and so it should be.. there's 420 nm of torque on tap and 140 kw. from its 2.2 litres.

The engine is quiet around town and on the open road, and is barely audible when given full throttle from rest. 

The Disco has a nine speed automatic gearbox, that can also be operated by steering wheel paddles.

If you're in the market for a SUV with impeccable credentials.. this one will impress you, as much as it did me.

The Discovery Sport HSE SD4 Diesel sells for around 64 K.

Peter Sellen