2018 Land Rover Discovery Review

Detailed Review

The Discovery Series I, the original generation of the Land Rover Discovery, was produced from 1989 until 1998. The new model was primarily based on the more expensive Range Rover, with the same chassis, suspension, and 4WD system, as well as a derivative body design – particularly the four-door, which replicated most of the more expensive Range Rover’s body structure.

However, with smaller engines available, only two short side doors at launch, and other cost-cutting measures, the new Discovery was priced more fairly, for a larger, more middle-class market segment, in order to compete with Japanese competitors at the time.

The Discovery II, which is still in production, was introduced to the public in 1998 and stayed in production until 2004. The interior and exterior were altered to be less utilitarian, although it was still obviously a Series I advancement. Except for the outside skin of the back doors, every body part had been altered. The rear body was extended to enhance luggage capacity and to accommodate full-size people on all seven seats on the SE7 option, as well as to make them all front-facing, but at the expense of greater rear overhang, which dramatically lowered the car’s departure angle when off-roading.

The introduction of the Discovery 3 in 2004 marked the start of the second generation of the Land Rover Discovery. Its production lasted until 2009. The LR3 comes with a fully independent suspension. This, like the Range Rover L322, has an air suspension system that allows you to adjust the ride height by inflating or deflating the airbags. When driving off-road, the car can be elevated to increase ground clearance, but it can also be dropped at high speeds to improve handling. Land Rover invented ‘cross-linked’ air suspension.

When necessary, the suspension works in the same way as a beam axle (as one wheel drops, the other rises). When the vehicle’s chassis makes contact with the ground when the suspension is at its ‘off-road’ height, the system recognizes the lessened tension on the air springs and raises the vehicle by an inch.

The Discovery 4, now in its second generation, was introduced in 2009 and was produced in 2016. The new Discovery has adopted the same smoother, rounder design as the 2010 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport’s front and rear light units, as well as the front grille and bumper. The late Discovery 3’s body-colored wheel arches and bumpers are also carried over to the Discovery 4. As an option, daytime running lamps are available, and LED lights are prominently displayed in both the front and rear lighting units.

The third-generation Land Rover Discovery, codenamed L462, was introduced in 2017 and is still being manufactured today.  The new Discovery, which is based on the same platform as the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, foregoes many of the design traditions of earlier generations in favor of a more modern, albeit less blatantly practical, appearance.

In contrast to previous generations, the third-generation Discovery has a considerably more rounded design, abandoning the traditional angular aesthetic. The tail lights have been moved from vertical to horizontal, and the third-row side glass is no longer merged with the roof glass. The horizontally split tailgate has been replaced with a normal top-hinged composite tailgate, but the asymmetrically mounted license plate remains as a design cue from previous Discovery models.

The roof still steps over the third row, albeit it is now primarily cosmetic in comparison to previous incarnations, and the roof has a significant taper to the back. The interior closely mirrors that of other current Land Rover models, while keeping the Discovery’s three-row tradition.

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery comes with two engine options: a 3.0 L (Petrol) and a 3.0 L (Diesel) mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

2018 Land Rover Discovery Grades

1. SE- This entry grade comes with heated front & rear seats, a heated steering wheel, an electronic air suspension, an SD card navigation system, and Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity.
2. HSE- This grade has an intelligent seat fold, all-terrain progress control, active rear locking differential, adaptive cruise control, intelligent emergency braking, 2 LCD monitors in the front, and 11 Meridian speakers.
3. HSE LUXURY- This grade boasts a driver condition monitor, blind spot monitor, traffic sign recognition, heated third-row seats, 4-zone climate control, massage front seats, and a dynamic body kit.

Interior

Legroom & Space

The cabin materials of the 2018 Land Rover Discovery are clearly premium. Interior luxury amenities abound, and the level of comfort rises as you progress through the numerous trim levels.

Seats in the first row have lots of headroom and legroom, as well as the ability to recline to a comfortable position. The leather seats cling to you so tightly that you won’t detect any flaws caused by uneven road surfaces.

The second row is as impressive, with ample knee and headroom. The third row of seats is comfy but only appropriate for children. Adults would undoubtedly feel confined due to the lack of headroom and knee room.

Cabin Storage

The 2018 Land Rover Discovery has several compartments for storing items such as keys, beverages, and soft drinks.

The first row has two cupholders, a glovebox compartment, a center console, and large door pockets. The second row has two cupholders and door pockets.

Boot Space

The boot space of the 2018 Land Rover Discovery is 9.1 cubic feet with all seven seats in place, 40.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 85.0 cubic feet with the second and third rows of seats folded.

Exterior

The 2018 Land Rover Discovery has a bold and rugged appearance. The front end is characterized by a honeycomb-style grille with the Land Rover insignia fastened to it. It has a sleek appearance thanks to the LED headlamps and daytime running lights.

LED taillights and turn signals are featured in the rear. The lower bumper readily reveals a towing hitch. Some models feature roof racks and a well-fitted sunroof.

2018 Land Rover Discovery Safety Features

The 2018 Land Rover Discovery features SRS Airbags, Curtain airbags, DCS and TCS, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Pre-crash Safety System, Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Pedestrian Warning, Lane Departure Alert, Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic High Beam, Run Flat tires, Active Roll Stabilization, and Electronic Damping Control.

2018 Land Rover Discovery Fuel Consumption

2018 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 L petrol engine consumption-  9.1 km/l on average

2018 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 L diesel engine consumption-  9.8 km/l on average

2018 Land Rover Discovery Acceleration

2018 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.5 secs

2018 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 L diesel engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.2 secs

2018 Land Rover Discovery Fuel Tank Capacity: 89 liters

Ground Clearance

The 2018 Land Rover Discovery has a ground clearance of 8.3 inches.

Service Intervals

Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.

Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts and Availability

Service parts are fairly priced and available in major towns in Kenya. Body parts are expensive and mostly available in Nairobi

Stability And Handling

The 2018 Land Rover Discovery is a strong off-roader, but it doesn’t lose on-road stability and handling. It has a well-tuned suspension system that balances comfort and handling by absorbing bumps and preserving road stability. It also has an air suspension system that may automatically increase or decreases the SUV’s ground clearance.

This car has power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, which provides precise and responsive steering. This technology also provides for greater maneuverability even at higher speeds.

It is further strengthened by its standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TRC) systems.

Reliability

The 2018 Land Rover Discovery is regarded as a dependable vehicle, particularly when traversing difficult off-road terrain. The Land Rover Discovery, like every other SUV on the market, is not without flaws. A lot of users have encountered laggy throttle when attempting to roll from a stop.

Such problems could be avoided with regular servicing and maintenance.

Refer to the Land Rover Discovery buyer guide for a thorough dependability report. We also urge that you always follow the instructions in the owner’s manual.

Resale Value: Average

Land Rover Discovery Competitors: Jeep Grand Cherokee, BMW X5, Acura MDX, Lexus GX, Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, and Mercedes Benz GLE.

What we like about the 2018 Land Rover Discovery

Above-average off-road capabilities

Luxurious interior

Refined and powerful diesel engine

What we don’t

Small third-row space

Thirsty gasoline engine

Conclusion

One could be forgiven for thinking that the 2018 Land Rover Discovery is primarily built for luxury and commuting in towns or cities, but this SUV boasts excellent off-road performance. This is the vehicle of choice for those looking for a premium vehicle with off-road capability.