EDMUNDS.COM 2004 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
There are two reasons to buy this SUV: either you need incredible off-road capability or you need to show off to the neighbors. If you have different needs, you''ll likely want to consider another SUV.
Pros
Superior off-road ability, classic SUV styling, quality interior materials, lots of head- and legroom.
Cons
Hard to get in and out of, quirky interior design, limited hip- and shoulder room, not much cargo space, poor gas mileage, no side airbags or stability control.
What''s New for 2004
For 2004, the Discovery gets new tubular roof rails, and a manually lockable center differential is now standard. The S trim gets an in-dash CD player as standard equipment, and the HSE''s cabin is enhanced with burled wood trim on the center console. A new interior color scheme -- called Tundra, featuring light earth tones in leather -- has been added. Finally, Land Rover is offering a limited-edition G4 model this year: It''s painted an eye-catching orange, and boasts a cabin with unique trim and upholstery.
Overview
Introduction:
The Discovery arrived in the U.S. in 1995, slotted beneath the Range Rover as the more affordable way to obtain a Land Rover. Today, the compact Freelander SUV represents the least expensive Land Rover on the market, leaving the aging Discovery to appeal to the masses that want to spend between $35,000 and $45,000 on a midsize luxury SUV. Competitors range from the Jeep Grand Cherokee to premium ''utes like the Lexus GX 470 and Volkswagen Touareg.Like Land Rovers of yesteryear, the Discovery exhibits excellent off-road prowess and retains hardy, traditional SUV styling. Continual improvements over the years have helped to mask its old-tech underpinnings and provide an acceptable on-road driving experience and, at least in the high-line SE and HSE models, a luxurious cabin environment. To keep the Discovery appealing in an increasingly competitive marketplace, Land Rover updated its bread-and-butter model in 2003, dropping the "Series II" nomenclature, while adding a new 4.6-liter V8 engine and improving the brakes and suspension. Last year''s upgrades also included revised styling front and rear and new interior treatments. Additionally, rear park-distance control was made available. For 2004, a limited-edition model joins the Discovery lineup. The G4 Edition Discovery is a replica of the vehicle driven in Land Rover''s continent-spanning G4 Challenge endurance event, and offers a bright orange paint job, full exterior protection (including a front A-line brush bar, driving lamps, a rear access ladder and rear lamp guards) and a cabin decked with an all-new Foundry trim finish. Seats are upholstered in a unique black technical fabric. Only 200 G4s will be built. Legendary off-road capabilities and a high level of luxury are the Discovery''s key selling points. Last year''s upgrades made the truck better to drive on paved roads without sacrificing off-road capability. However, the heavy and lumbering Discovery still suffers from poor interior ergonomics, tight shoulder room and small door openings. This is an expensive and quirky SUV with an outdated cabin design that isn''t well suited for family vehicle duty. Unless you''re dead set on getting one of the last surviving traditional off-road vehicles and don''t mind spending $40,000 to acquire one, we recommend shopping elsewhere.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door Discovery comes in three trim levels -- S, SE and HSE. The S comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, Duragrain (vinyl, that is) upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 100-watt stereo with a CD player and free scheduled maintenance during the 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty period. The SE adds 18-inch wheels, front foglights, headlamp washers, a Class III towing hitch, burled walnut interior trim, leather upholstery, dual sunroofs and a 220-watt Alpine sound system with 11 speakers and a six-disc CD changer. High-line HSE models set you up with a 320-watt Harman Kardon stereo with a CD changer, a navigation system, rear park-distance control and a self-leveling suspension (optional on S and SE models). New for 2004 is a limited-edition G4 model that comes with orange exterior paint and has a unique interior ensemble with black fabric upholstery. On the options list, you''ll find a third-row seat, a separate rear air conditioner, a rear DVD entertainment system and front seat heaters. SE buyers can also pick up the Harman Kardon stereo and nav system.
Powertrains and Performance:
The Discovery''s aluminum 4.6-liter V8 makes 217 hp and 300 lb-ft torque, allowing for what Land Rover says is a 0-to-60 time of 9.5 seconds. The Discovery earns ultralow emissions vehicle (ULEV) status but gets just 12 mpg in the city and 16 on the highway. Towing capacity is 7,700 pounds. Permanent 4WD with traction control is standard, driven by a four-speed automatic transmission with Normal, Sport and Manual modes. A two-speed transfer case offers high and low gearing. Hill Descent Control (HDC) keeps speeds down when descending steep terrain.
Safety:
All seating positions get head restraints and three-point seatbelts. Dual second-generation front airbags are standard, but side airbags and head airbags are not available. The Discovery comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, Hill Descent Control and traction control. A rear parking assist feature is available, as is Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE), a self-leveling suspension that stabilizes the SUV in turns. In frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Discovery earned an "Acceptable" rating (the second highest).
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Inside, both front- and backseat passengers sit high for a superior view. Headroom and legroom aren''t an issue ("cavernous" doesn''t begin to describe the overhead space), but hip- and shoulder room are very tight. Entry and exit are also problematic, but the quality of the interior materials is quite good. The Discovery can carry up to seven passengers when the optional third-row seat is ordered. Maximum cargo volume is 63.3 cubic feet (40.5 with the second-row seats up).
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Land Rover products are known for their rugged nature, and the Discovery is no exception. Taken off the beaten path, the Discovery takes on difficult terrain with ease. On pavement, the Discovery is less adept, but continuous refinement has made it easier to drive around town. The latest generation is the best yet, but slow steering and an unforgiving ride quality make it less suitable for street duty.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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