Land Rover Discovery 4 Review (2009-2016)

If ever there was a vehicle that hit the brief of ‘a car for every season and every reason’, the Land Rover Discovery is it. The fourth-generation model is affectionately known as the Disco 4, and equally at home pulling up to a top-end restaurant as it is loaded with kids and dogs on the motorway, towing a horse box, or clawing its way up a muddy bank.

But just what is it that makes the Discovery so desirable? Well, a large part of it is image – that indefinable aura of understated affluence that all modern Land Rovers exude so well.

The catch is, it’s expensive, and it has a reputation for patchy reliability. Buy a good one, and you’ll be very happy, but if you don’t, you could end up footing a string of costly repair bills.

There’s plenty of space inside, and because all Discovery 4s came with seven seats as standard, there’s room for a large family. Fold the third row of seats down, and you’re left with a huge boot, and the load bay becomes even more cavernous when you fold down the middle row.

All five of the rear seats are separate, so you can fold them individually, configuring the back end of the car exactly as you might need it – for example, to carry longer items of luggage alongside your passengers. The Disco also has a split tailgate, which lets you drop the lower part pick-up style. It’s handy for perching on, and makes it easier to load longer items.

The minute you climb aboard, you’re met by a handsome, well-designed dashboard. It isn’t quite as plush as a Range Rover – as you’d expect, given the Discovery is pitched as a cheaper, slightly more utilitarian alternative – but you still get chunky plastics, expensive leather, and switchgear that moves with the sort of slickness and weight that suggests the engineering involved time and expense.

On the road, the Discovery 4 is incredibly comfortable, with suspension that’s set up for a smooth ride rather than sporty handling. It isn’t as engaging as a BMW X5 or an Audi Q7 in corners, and it leans over more, but it still feels controlled, stable and offers plenty of grip. Few people really need or want their large SUVs to drive like sports cars; they just want to feel safe and secure, and the Disco absolutely ticks those boxes. It’s loaded with safety kit, too.

The minute you climb aboard, you’re met by a handsome, well-designed dashboard. It isn’t quite as plush as a Range Rover – as you’d expect, given the Discovery is pitched as a cheaper, slightly more utilitarian alternative – but you still get chunky plastics, expensive leather, and switchgear that moves with the sort of slickness and weight that suggests the engineering involved time and expense.

On the road, the Discovery 4 is incredibly comfortable, with suspension that’s set up for a smooth ride rather than sporty handling. It isn’t as engaging as a BMW X5 or an Audi Q7 in corners, and it leans over more, but it still feels controlled, stable and offers plenty of grip. Few people really need or want their large SUVs to drive like sports cars; they just want to feel safe and secure, and the Disco absolutely ticks those boxes. It’s loaded with safety kit, too.

A big, heavy, four-wheel drive car with brick-like aerodynamics is never going to be cheap to run, but even by the standards of its SUV rivals, the Discovery 4 is a thirsty car. All three diesels achieve similar fuel consumption figures, and you won’t see MPG figures higher than 25-30 in everyday use.

Emissions are correspondingly high and, as a result, most Discoveries sit in the second-highest tax band, which means they incur a hefty annual bill. The 2.7-litre V6 automatic is the exception; its higher emissions push it into the very highest tax band, making it even more costly to tax.

Land Rover doesn’t offer discounted servicing on older vehicles as some rival manufacturers do, so you’ll have to pay the full price at a main dealer. That said, you can benefit from a pre-paid servicing plan, which at least allows you to lock in the cost for the next few services. There are also plenty of good independent Land Rover specialists out there, and they’re typically cheaper than franchised dealers.

Both the 2.7-litre and 3.0-litre engines in the Land Rover Discovery have rubber timing belts, and these need changing every seven years and 105,000 miles (2.7) or 112,000 miles (3.0). Keep in mind that this is a big job; to change the belt and all the ancillaries can set you back four figures, depending on where you have it done. With that in mind, it pays to find a car that has recently undergone a belt change, or haggle a discount into the deal.

The 3.0-litre models have complicated engines and, if either of the two turbochargers fail – which is not unknown – they’re very difficult to access. These engines are also known for serious failures. This can even affect well-maintained cars, so it’s worth seeking out a top example with a good service history.

Automatic gearboxes can also be problematic, and owners often report transmission failures. Pay close attention to the way the gears shift on a road test; listen for any odd noises, and look out for slow, slurred, or jerky changes.

All Discoveries come with air suspension, and this can be troublesome. Failing compressors and leaking suspension units are common. You’ll also want to check the electrics carefully. Look out for any warnings on the dashboard screen, and if you can, get someone with a fault code reader to plug it in and check for any historic codes which might point to intermittent faults.