L.A. Auto Show 2016: Land Rover Discovery
What is it?
This is a full-size 2017 sport utility vehicle from Land Rover, and the British automaker says the SUV is an all-terrain vehicle with optional seating for up to seven adults and priced starting at $49,990 before delivery charges and other fees.
Why it matters
Land Rover’s SUV in the United States was called the Discovery in the 1990s until the name was replaced first with the LR3 in 2004 and later with the LR4. With this new SUV for 2017, the automaker is reverting to the Discovery name as it competes in the popular and crowded SUV market.
The new Discovery is “the most significant redesign in the iconic SUV’s history,” Edmunds.com declared, with a less boxy shape, luxurious interior and an emphasis on versatility. If the two rows of backseats are folded down, the storage space totals 77 cubic feet.
There are four trim levels: The SE, HSE, HSE Luxury and a limited number of top-of-the-line First Edition models that start at $73,950.
What’s new
Land Rover says the lightweight aluminum construction of the 2017 Discovery cuts about 1,000 pounds from the weight of the LR4.
That also means the Discovery delivers up to 14% greater city fuel mileage than the outgoing LR4 when equipped with the supercharged, 340-horsepower six-cylinder gasoline engine. A turbo-diesel V-6 with 254 horsepower also is available for the HSE and HSE Luxury models.
The Discovery also has a panoramic see-through roof and the roof has a stepped-up design to increase passenger headroom. Land Rover also touts the SUV’s towing capability, saying it has a capacity to tow up to 8,201 pounds.
The competition
It competes with several upscale SUVs, including the BMW x3 and x5, the Audi Q5, the Lexus GX 460 and the Acura MDX.
The details
Discovery’s available tech gadgets include rear parking display and a waterproof Activity Key wristband that enables drivers to lock or unlock the vehicle while leaving the key fob in the SUV. Owners also can configure the seating remotely with a smartphone app.
