Ask anyone to think ‘ultimate sport utility vehicle’ and the first brand on top of their minds is Land Rover. After all, no other brand will take all sort of mud trekking with a smile on its face. Though luxury features have crept into pretty much its entire line (the iconic Defender aside), they still are built for the beaten path. The Discovery 3 is no exception. It certainly looks civilized and tame as far as Rovers go, but it’s still built like a brick. For one, it’s underpinned by an integrated body-frame structure with suspension arms as thick as a policeman’s mid-section. Plus, there’s a Terrain Response System that includes variable ride height and a honking V8 engine. Its 7-seater configuration is no doubt an added bonus as well.
Past Discovery models wouldn’t be uttered in the same breath as a BMW X5 for one very good reason: they were much too agricultural and unrefined for all but those pretending to be sheep farmers. It may have been able to move mountains, but as it crossed the tarmac, it performed like a nervous dog. That changed with the Discovery 3 (LR3 for you Yanks). It contains a myriad of neat stuff such as a platform that incorporated both the traditional truck-like ladder chassis with a car-like unit construction. It’s changes like these that enables the Discovery to shed its clunky image for something that’s satisfying to drive both on and off the road.
Even without looking at the badges, you can’t mistake the Disco for anything else but a Land Rover. It’s built upon themes originally appearing on traditional Rovers: minimalist and functional. However, the Discovery adds funk with styling details such as the beveled edge on the hood as well as cuts on the front and rear slab-sided doors. The door handles and wheel arches remain unpainted—and that’s deliberate, giving the Disco an outdoorsy feel. The upright stance and squared-off ends also make other SUVs look sissy, even if in terms of size, the Disco is no bigger than say, a Mercedes M-Class.
Inside, it’s both functional and classy. The dashboard design isn’t out of place in a contemporary luxury sedan for instance, with its stylish metal accents. The layout may look like a jumble of Lego bricks, but it’s smart and can be operated by tactile feel. Land Rover engineers also opted for chunky buttons to accommodate glove-wearing owners. Overall, the Discovery feels very business-like inside—a business of high-class, high-comfort exploration that is. Visibility is good with a high seating position as well as the Discovery’s upright stance. In addition, interior space is well and good, though the last row’s best left for kids. You have to commend the load floor though, which is relatively low and easily accessible.
As for the entertainment aspect, the Discovery 3 comes with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, which is simply awesome! In addition to the typical stereo functions, it comes with a 6-disc CD changer as well as an auxiliary input jack. The system also supports two simultaneous audio modes (speakers / headphones) and all four outboard passengers have access to headphone jacks.
Developed when Ford still owned Land Rover, the Discovery’s V8 couldn’t be any better: it’s the AJ-V8 engine shared with the Jaguar XJ, though on the Disco, it has been tuned to offer low-end torque. In addition, the Discovery’s engine bay gets improved dust and water proofing as well as revised breathing capabilities. This allows the Discovery to easily wade through rivers and Metro Manila flood waters. Mated to a 6-speed automatic, the Discovery can be surprisingly brisk off the line, even if the brick-like styling and 2.5-metric ton curb weight suggest otherwise. It sounds mighty impressive too, remaining muted unless you mash the throttle which gives out a nice V8 rumble. Furthermore, the Discovery’s acute approach and departure angles and short overhangs are made for serious off-roading.
Air suspension comes standard on the Discovery as well. Though there’s a manual override function, it can automatically adjust itself to vastly improve both on- and off-road performance. The air suspension system also adjusts ride height for easier ingress and egress. Taking the Discovery through the slalom, it still handled stiffly mainly because of its heavy steering feel and effortful pedals. However, the ride’s comfortable while keeping body roll controlled considering this car’s high center of gravity. Overall, the ride is good with none of the float—a common problem found in SUVs with long-travel suspensions.
Off the beaten path though, the Discovery is king thanks to the innovative Terrain Response System. On paper, the sophisticated system may require reading, but in reality, it’s actually very simple. There’s a rotary knob on the center console that enables you to select one of five terrain settings. The system automatically selects the optimum set-up for all the electronic controls and traction aids. This includes the ride height, torque response, hill descent control, traction control and transmission settings. For the most part, you can leave it in the “Tarmac” setting and the LR will do an impeccable job. But in case you do need to crawl up a rock, the Disco has a setting just for that.
The heft and mass of the Land Rover Discovery means that it’s still subject to the laws of physics and as a result it’s still somewhat cumbersome to drive next to its tarmac inclined rivals. Even so, the Discovery is still a very rewarding car to drive with brisk performance and surprisingly commendable performance on the road and supreme prowess off it. Although it’s not a pin sharp car to drive, the Discovery maintains the core values of what Land Rovers are known for. In that respect, it’s the most technologically advanced off-roader money can buy today. That is, until the Discovery 4 reaches the Philippines.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos by Ulysses Ang
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