By Eric Schad
No other vehicles on the planet have the same allure, luxury, and versatility as Land Rover. They add this bundle of qualities without seeming pretentious or gaudy. Experience Land Rover for yourself when you sit behind the wheel of the brand new 2017 Discovery. Mixing ruggedness with opulence is no easy task, but the British SUV does it in stride. That’s what has made the vehicle a critic’s dream and a driver’s delight since 1989. Whether you’re exploring the unknown or driving to work, feel like you’ve finally made it in the 2017 Land Rover Discovery.
The Rugged Side
The Discovery’s handsome exterior nearly undermines its expertly designed underpinnings, which allow it to tear up the off-road. It has some of the best-in-class clearance at 11.1-inches, and it’s designed to wade into waters nearly 3 feet deep. As always, this Land Rover has four-wheel drive, but this year, the Discovery comes with the available Terrain Response 2 driving system. This allows the Discovery to sense the surrounding terrain and automatically adjust the drive mode to fit. The result is off-road driving at its finest.
Photo courtesy of cochespias.net
The Power
Under the hood, the 2017 Discovery offers two engine options, yet neither lack where it counts. The standard engine is a robust, supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that delivers maximum power with 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. However, it’s the turbodiesel engine that may turn more heads. Designed with more torque and more off-road prowess in mind, this 3.0-liter diesel beast gets only 254 horsepower, but it makes up for it with a whopping 443 pound-feet of torque. With this extra torque, it can navigate boulders and mountains at slower speeds without losing traction. Either way, you can’t go wrong with the engine choices of the Discovery.
Fuel economy statistics aren’t yet available, but expect the Discovery to achieve somewhere around last year’s mark of 26 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city.
Photo courtesy of cochespias.net
Interior
Though many rough-and-tumble vehicles trade limited interior features for off-road ability, the Land Rover Discovery makes no such compromise. Inside, it has a comfortable, roomy cabin, draped in leather and offering accommodation for up to seven people. If you have gear to haul, it also offers up to 85 cubic feet of space.
Photo courtesy of cochespias.net
Luxury and convenience features abound in the Discovery. The uncluttered, contemporary layout of the dash allows you to connect all your mobile devices seamlessly, and they’re easy to control with a 10-inch, touch-screen display. Dual-zone climate control makes sure you’re always comfortable, and an easy-to-read instrument cluster lets you know just how you’re driving.
Photo courtesy of cochespias.net
Style
On the exterior, the Discovery is nothing short of spectacular. Sleek lines and curves blend harmoniously throughout, bringing luxury and toughness together without a hitch. The modern design also blends form and function for a beautiful, head-turning body. Throw in some unique wheels of your choice, and there’s nothing quite like the Discovery.
Photo courtesy of cochespias.net
With the 2017 Land Rover Discovery, you get so much more than your average SUV. You get a vehicle that’s up for the task of the great outdoors, as well as a vehicle that’s apt to roll up to a red carpet event. Look for it in showrooms in mid-2017.
