Skip advert
Advertisement

Land Rover Discovery (2009-2016) review - does it still make for a great 4x4? - Design

The definitive 4x4 from Land Rover - if you can’t quite stretch to a Range Rover

Evo rating
RRP
from £41,600
  • Looks, prestige, utility and huge comfort regardless of what’s beneath the wheels
  • Beginning to feel its age despite many revisions, expensive to run and buy

Design

Fundamentally the same sheet metal from 2004 the Discovery has been kept fresh by continual tweaks to its design. It still presents a commanding face to the world, distinctive and familiar and ruggedly handsome all at the same time, the Discovery is unashamedly an off-road vehicle rather than a pseudo-SUV with some off-road ability. That’s a huge part of its appeal.

Advertisement - Article continues below

That obviously utilitarian aspect is carried over to elements of the interior. It’s all easily operated; with the exception of the old-school touchscreen, the chunky knobs, dials and buttons are all Fisher-Price like in their ease, yet convincingly premium in their situation and material quality. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Was it a mistake to include a Land Rover in a test amongst flagship supercars?
Octa
Opinion

Was it a mistake to include a Land Rover in a test amongst flagship supercars?

The lineup for this year's biggest performance car test was varied to say the least, and one contender stood out from the get-go
28 Dec 2025
Skoda Fabia 130 review – 175bhp hot hatch to battle the Mini Cooper S
Skoda Fabia 130 review
Reviews

Skoda Fabia 130 review – 175bhp hot hatch to battle the Mini Cooper S

Skoda’s back in the hot hatch game, albeit not with a full vRS-badged return. Does the new Fabia 130 cut it?
29 Dec 2025
The major modern flaws that even today's greatest V12 supercars suffer with
Vanquish and 12 Cilindri
Opinion

The major modern flaws that even today's greatest V12 supercars suffer with

Even one of the best eCoty lineups in years didn't escape the problems inherent in modern cars
30 Dec 2025