A Handsome Beast

ANDY RUSSELL tries out Land Rover’s fifth generation Discovery to see how it compares to its predecessors

- Andy Russell

WHEN I saw the first pictures of the new fifth generation Land Rover Discovery I was taken aback. In the metal, parked alongside the previous model, I was shocked how much bigger and more imposing it looks.

There seems to be a blurring of the boundaries between Land Rover and Range Rover models whereas Land Rover was more country lifestyle, Range Rover more cosmopolitan luxury.

LOOKS AND IMAGE 

The Discovery has always been classless. Whether in jeans and wellies or suited and booted, you’re fine turning up in a Discovery. Even so, over the generations, the Discovery has been moving upmarket and this is the classiest yet.

Sizewise, it’s a beast but a handsome beast especially with optional exterior design packs with bigger 20 to 22in black or satin dark grey wheels and black grille, bumper vents and door mirror caps, which really set off the test car’s Namib Orange body colour, but you soon add a few grand to the price.

The only thing I’m not sure about is the offset rear number plate – it looks odd without the traditional step in the bottom of the back screen to balance it out.

UNDER THE BONNET