After using the same recipe for nearly three decades the Discovery has finally been updated. The all new 2018 Land Rover Discovery is not only lighter but also bigger than its predecessor, more efficient and more powerful. Most of this has been possible thanks to the car’s new aluminum-intensive chassis which is actually shared with the Range Rover series of cars. On top of that this is the first unibody Discovery ever built, so it is a large step forward for Land Rover. The car also offers considerably more space inside the cabin as well as a great selection of engines.
2018 Land Rover Discovery In detail
The new model is 2 inches wider, it has 1.5 inches longer wheelbase and it is with up to 5 inches longer. The car is also taller than its predecessor but it doesn’t really look like it thanks to its new proportions. The end result is a much more modern-looking car but more on that later. The big change here is the weight. The new Discovery is with nearly 1,000 pounds lighter than the previous generation which is a very impressive feat to achieve. The massive weight loss has been achieved with the help of the all aluminum structure. On top of that Land Rover also used aluminum in some suspension components and on the body. The suspension uses a fully independent setup with standard air-shocks. These allow the car to be lowered or raised depending on the road surface, so it is quite capable.
Is it any good in off-road?
One of the main selling points of the previous generation was its off-road capability. The new 2018 Land Rover Discovery is not that different despite its more dramatic look. The car still boasts an impressive 11.1 inches of ground clearance when raised which are by far the most among any of its rivals. On top of that, it can also provide a wading depth of over 35 inches, so it is as good or better than its predecessor.
The design – a step forward?
The 2018 Land Rover Discovery looks nothing like the one before it and that’s not necessarily a good thing. The car has a lot more in common with the Range Rover line of cars than with its predecessor. In the front, we can see a very similar grille and set of headlights to those found on the Range Rover Sport. The rear of the car is quite vertical which is really unusual for this class. The rear three-quarter windows do make us think about the original but that’s about it. The floating roof effect, the hidden A, B and D pillars as well as the arched C-pillars make the Discovery look like a sportier car than it really is. However, the design is definitely a move in the right direction, especially when we take into account where the market is heading.
Inside the cabin of 2018 Land Rover Discovery
There is no question about the fact the interior of the new Discovery is much better than that of its predecessor. There are not a lot more options when it comes to the upholstery or even the stitching. The steering wheel and infotainment system have been taken straight out of the Range Rover Sport whilee the materials have been vastly improved. The higher end models get real aluminum or wood inserts and the controls are much more neatly laid out. Even though it still has 7 seats, the 2 rearmost seats are now usable by adults which are the real upgrade.
Under the hood
As standard, the 2018 Land Rover Discovery gets either a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 180 horsepower or a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 with 340 horsepower. This big difference is due to the differences between the European and the US markets. In Europe, the buyers can opt for either a 240 horsepower 2.0-liter diesel or for the more powerful gas powertrain. Unfortunately the latter is only available in select markets which really limits the buyer’s choice. In the US there is also a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 254 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. All engines come equipped as standard with an 8-speed automatic which is both fast and smooth. Land Rover’s great all wheel drive system, with a terrain selection mode, is also available on all trim levels.
