Skip advert
Advertisement

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

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

Interior and Tech

The current Discovery can trace its roots back to 2004, though it has undergone several serious revisions since then. Notably inside, where the quality is now almost comparable to its Range Rover relations. There’s still a pleasing functionality to the cabin, the switches and dials all chunky and decisive in their operation, feeling like you could operate them with ease with thick gloves on. Utilitarian then, without being low-rent, though the touch-screen satnav and infotainment module - even in its most updated form - feels Speak&Spell in its operation rather than hi-def smartphone.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s loads of space as you might expect given its ample dimensions. Five can be sat in comfort easily, while the rear two seats - which stow away under the boot floor when not needed - are useable for shorter journeys with adults in them, though are better suited for children - not least because getting to them is a bit of a scramble.

Given it’s a rugged off-road machine it couldn’t be easier to drive, Land Rover’s Terrain Response simplicity itself. Press the buttons to best reflect what you’re planning on driving over and the Discovery sets itself up accordingly. The premium nature of it also means it’s available with high-end audio, parking cameras and all manner of connectivity, though start ticking the options boxes and the price heads north alarmingly quickly.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

My Audi S8 can’t make me hate it, even if its safety systems are often terrible
Audi S8 – interior
Long term tests

My Audi S8 can’t make me hate it, even if its safety systems are often terrible

ADAS systems can be the bane of one’s existence in modern cars, but they can’t take the decadent shine off our long-term limo
16 Jul 2026
New Range Rover Sport electric set to take on new BMW iX5 – we take a drive
Range Rover Sport electric front
News

New Range Rover Sport electric set to take on new BMW iX5 – we take a drive

Range Rover’s next all-electric SUV will be based on its popular Sport model and be ready to take on BMW and Porsche
16 Jul 2026
Mercedes-Benz A-class review – the Audi A3-rivalling hatchback Mercedes can’t afford to kill
Mercedes-Benz A-class front
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-Benz A-class review – the Audi A3-rivalling hatchback Mercedes can’t afford to kill

The current A-class is now almost a decade old. Happily, it still looks and feels relatively fresh
16 Jul 2026