We’ve heard so many good reports about the new Discovery that we decided to run it as a daily driver
| Driver's Log | |
|---|---|
| Date acquired | October 2017 |
| Total kilometres | 11,544 |
| Kilometres this month | 1,128 |
| Costs this month | $0 |
| L/100km this month | 12.2 |
In his review of the new Land Rover Discovery, David Fernandez concluded that it’s “a 5-star car through and through” – high praise from a man who doesn’t hold back from criticism when he deems it warranted. It has been a long time since I last drove one (by my reckoning it must be six years at least), so c&p has managed to talk the people at Land Rover into giving us the very car that Fernandez raved about for a few weeks of daily driving duties.
These long term tests are important when it comes to accurately assessing any new car, for it’s only by living with anything that you truly get to know it. And two weeks into my spell with the Disco, it continues to impress more with each journey.
The jury’s still out, in my mind, regarding the looks. I always admired the Discovery’s boxy outline and, even though it has been closing the gap between Land- and Range Rover for some time, visually at least it was distinctively different. Now I have difficulty telling any of them apart, although the Discovery does have a rear end all of its own. What’s come in for particular criticism has been the offset number plate, which sits to the left of the tailgate, which now has a window with a completely flat edge at its base.
Once inside its leather-lined cabin I’m not really bothered what it looks like. You sit high in a supportive seat that has adjustable arms, which is one of those thoughtful touches that make Land Rover products so special and, it’s not till you drive one that you realize just how comfortable it makes your journeys. Everything looks absolutely lovely and, while a Range Rover would dazzle with digital instrumentation that’s infinitely configurable, here we find good old analogue dials that are clear and easy to read.
In the rear quarters, a flat floor gives the impression of spaciousness and there’s sufficient real estate back there for three adults to kick back and relax, while a third row can be exhumed from the boot if required. This is a ‘First Edition’ model and has one or two special surface treatments inside but they don’t really add or detract anything meaningful.
As a machine in which to tackle even the longest journeys, there’s nothing at all to complain about. It’s practically silent in operation, it’s supremely comfortable and the imperious driving position grants excellent visibility all round. Being in it removes a huge amount of stress from tackling the highways such as the E11 and each time I emerge from it I feel remarkably calm. As expensive as it is, it’s probably still cheaper than therapy.
Faults? Sometimes the wrong album artwork is displayed on the infotainment screen while I’m playing music and the blind spot alert in the door mirrors has a life of its own – neither of which are causing me any sleepless nights.
On the basis of these first couple of weeks, I reckon we’re going to get on just fine.
