2017 SUVs Archives — Auto Trends Magazine

A Land Rover Discovery with a supercharged gas engine.

Second time around: 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury

The hits keep coming. Or at least the weekly model or two I have had the privilege of driving in 2017. This past week it was the Land Rover Discovery, the second time in two months the keys to this model and trim/grade fell into my hands.

Only this time the Discovery HSE Luxury came with a supercharged V6 gasoline model — the previous model featured a turbo-diesel.

2017 Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover prices the 2017 Discovery costs from $49,990 for the gas model (SE) and $58,950 for the diesel (HSE). Other gas trims to consider include the HSE ($56,950), HSE Luxury ($63,950) and First Edition ($73,950). Add $995 for your destination fee and another $2,000 if you plan to upgrade to a diesel.

2017 Land Rover Discovery Spend any time with the Land Rover Configurator — Range Rover and Discovery series alike — and you’ll find various grades and permutations of each model.

Beyond the eponymous Discovery’s four grades, you’ll find an array of packages for further customization. These include: three Black Design packages based on wheel size choices — 20-, 21-, and 22-inch wheels ($800-$3,200); a pair of complete dynamic design packages ($4,350 and $5,550); Drive and Drive Pro packages ($550 and $2,350); 7-Seat luxury climate ($2,180), vision assist ($1,000), and capability plus ($1,250).

My test model included nearly all of the top packages along with such individual upgrades as black roof rails ($400), head-up display ($950), ebony headliner ($350) and silicon silver metallic paint ($1,495). I counted 20 packages and options in all — Land Rover supplied a $350 headliner credit; I’m not sure if it was due to a long list of options or something else.

With all said and done, there were more than $18,000 in upgrades and options included, bringing the MSRP (sticker price) to a lofty $82,300. Notably, that price is in line with what well-equipped competing models offer from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW.

2017 Land Rover Discovery

Discovery Model Highlights

Instead of rehashing the many similar points I made earlier with the 2017 Discovery, allow me to direct you to that review here. For this review, I’ll cover the main features of the latest model as well as expand on a few other areas of this model:

1. Engine — What do three liters of V6 power get you? With Land Rover, you have a choice of supercharged gas and turbocharged diesel options. Both engines displace exactly at 3.0 liters. The diesel has two advantages over the gas engine: a 5 mpg fuel economy edge and stronger boost down the line. But don’t discount the gas model as it delivers excellent off-the-mark acceleration. Plus, it doesn’t come with a $2,000 price premium. Land Rover matches both engines with a clean-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

2. Seating — Land Rover offers 2+3+2 seating in the Discovery, with the third row optional. If you go with the last row, you’ll find a 50:50 split fold-down bench seat. It offers decent shoulder and hip room, although taller riders may find head- and legroom tight. So, consider this space sufficient for youngsters and usable for adults in a pinch.

2017 Land Rover Discovery

3. Storage — Having the benefit of a third row also creates one significant demerit. Namely, standard storage space is nonexistent as that third seat abuts the rear liftgate. I’ve never seen anything like it in other models as there is no way to store anything behind the rear seat. That said, Land Rover didn’t shortchange passenger space to create a token storage area. The good news here is that if you fold down one of the rear seats, you’ll gain some room. Drop the third row and you’ll enjoy 45 cubic feet of cargo space.

4. Off-Road — If you’re not familiar with Land Rover’s off-road capabilities, you’re in for a treat with the Discovery. The 2017 Discovery is an all-new model, replacing the previous LR4. This also means you’ll enjoy 11.1 inches of ground clearance compared to the 9.4 inches in the LR4. Importantly, fording depth is also up — 35.4 inches. If you have no plans for off-roading, then you’re not likely to opt for such features as the height-adjustable air suspension, low-range four-wheel drive, and the advanced traction system found in Terrain Response 2. But think of the possibilities!

5. Around Town — Most Land Rover owners will spend their time in and around town, taking their children to the ball field, commuting to work, shopping, sightseeing, and enjoying other pursuits common to today’s families. Compared with the LR4, the Discovery seems swift on its feet, thanks to a design that’s up to 800 pounds lighter than its predecessor with a far more rigid frame to go with it. This also means body roll stays at a minimum, so take on those twisty roads with confidence.

2017 Land Rover Discovery

6. Amenities — Land Rover is all about creature comforts and the Discovery does not disappoint. Not hardly. Standard equipment includes automatic headlamps, power-folding and heated side mirrors with approach lights, a panoramic glass roof, and a rear parking aid. You’ll also find keyless entry with push-button start, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a 10-speaker audio system. A dizzying array of amenities ups the luxury quotient, adding such features as LED headlights, a power sunroof, power tailgate, power drop/lift second- and third-row seats, heated front and rear seats, three-zone climate control, navigation, Meridian sound system, and a sound view camera. My test model added a front center console cooler compartment ($350), rear seat entertainment ($2,270), and features mentioned earlier.

Land Rover Discovery Parting Thoughts

So, what’s my opinion of the Land Rover Discovery the second time around?

First, it offers a distinct departure from the previous LR4. Traditional SUV fans may object to the change. All I can say is try it out, especially off road, to determine how the new Discovery performs.

Second, your price can quickly escalate if you’re not careful. A base SE trim will cost you $50,000, so my test model cost $32,000 more. That’s the high end of the model line. Personally, I would choose the diesel, stick with the HSE and pick the drive pro package. Yes, choose the 7-row package if you even think there is a possibility of carrying additional people from time to time. At this point, your total is about $66,000, the middle price range for this midsize SUV.

2017 Land Rover Discovery

2017 Land Rover Sport HSE Luxury

Sticker price from $63,950
Price as tested: $82,300
Seats 7 occupants
Engine No. 1: 3.0-liter supercharged V6 gas
340 horsepower @ 3,500 to 5,000 RPM
332 foot-pounds of torque @ 3,500 to 5,000 RPM
Engine No. 2: 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6
254 horsepower @ 1,750 to 2,250 RPM
443 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,750 to 2,250 RPM
8-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 115 inches
Length: 195.6 inches
Width: 81.6 inches
Height: 73.5 inches
Passenger volume: NR
Storage volume: 45 (behind 2nd row)/82.7 (behind 1st row) cubic feet
Towing capacity: 8,201 pounds with tow package
EPA: 16/21 mpg (gas); 21/26 mpg (diesel)
Premium grade gasoline
Fuel tank: 23.5 gallons (gas)
Curb weight: From 4,835 (gas); 4,916 (diesel) pounds
IIHS safety rating: Not rated
Limited vehicle warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 6 years/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Solihull, UK

2017 Land Rover Discovery

See Also — Driven: 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Out and about with No. 2 of four models in the Range Rover collection.

The Land Rover universe now encompasses six models — four Range Rovers and two Discovery series. There’s considerable overlap between some models, but there is enough distinctiveness present that each one has its own unique attributes, including the 2017 Range Rover Sport.

A 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was a recent weekly driver, the second generation of this luxury SUV. Now in its fourth model year, the current-generation Range Rover Sport continues to hold its own in a highly competitive segment, delivering what customers want across five grades: SE ($65,650), HSE ($80,150), Supercharged ($80,650), Autobiography ($94,450) and SVR ($111,350). Add $995 for the destination charge.

Yes, that’s a huge spread between models, but if you’re happy with either a supercharged V6 or the turbo-diesel V6, you can hold your final price below $80,000.

New for 2017 are a host of now standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The electronics system is now controlled by the Range Rover Sport’s 10.2-inch touchscreen.

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Exterior Overview

Land Rover calls the Range Rover Sport a compact model, but it is anything but that. Indeed, its proportions align with median-sized models such as the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (formerly ML-Class). On the other hand, the Range Rover Evoque is definitely the “small time” player in this segment.

What you do have here is a sleek canvas marked by curved corners and peppered by sharp creases, distinctive sculpting, and vent embellishments. A high profile, strong shoulders, and a dramatically canted windshield are among the special features of note.

Standard exterior features include Xenon headlights with LED signature lights, automatic headlights, rear fog lights, and power-heated side folding mirrors with approach lights. Also available are front fog lights.

Wheel choices include 19- and 20-inch split-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels. An assortment of color options with contrasting roofs or a panoramic roof rounds out the exterior features.

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Interior Highlights

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Give the Range Rover Sport much credit with providing a roomy interior. Its standard 2+3 seating offers excellent room all around.

You have the option of adding a third-row seat for two, but at great compromise to storage space and seating comfort for third-row passengers.

Opt for the third-row package ($2,750) and Land Rover throws in power control, a tire repair system, and 20-inch, five-spoke wheels.

The Range Rover’s cabin is expansive, bright, and elegantly appointed. High-end materials blanket the cabin — I couldn’t find one square inch of plastic.

Leather, wood, and chrome trim grace the interior. All switches, knobs, and buttons seem durable.

The front seats are plush and supportive; the rear 60:40 bench seat is comfortable, but not nearly as so as in the big Range Rover. Still, the cabin is exquisitely dressed, befitting a model of Range Rover stature.

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

On the Road

Drive a 2017 Range Rover Sport and you have your choice of five engines. Well, not exactly. Two of the engines do double duty with enhanced computer programming squeezing out more horsepower or horsepower and torque. That said, our specifications table at the end of this article shows five engines.

The base engine is a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 generating 340 horsepower (380 available) and 332 pound-feet of torque. This engine powered my test model and is wholly sufficient for the Sport. Even so, the Land Rover Discovery I tested last month had the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with a whopping 443 pound-feet of torque. But if full-on power is your desire, then nothing short of the V8s making at least 500 horsepower will do. Each engine choice comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Superchargers provide superior off-the-mark acceleration compared to turbochargers, with the latter offering more boost further up the band curve. Jaguar Land Rover splits the technology by assigning turbos to diesel engines (and four-cylinder gas models) and superchargers to V6 and V8 gas engines. Either way, you win as there almost always is ample power from the smallest to the largest engine.

The Range Rover Sport seems too pretty to take off road, but if you’re so inclined, simply raise the suspension by 2.5 inches and give it a go. You’ll keep up with most everything out there, except perhaps that rock-crawling Jeep Wrangler. However, unlike the Wrangler, the Range Rover Sport supplies an absolutely comfortable on-road experience with a plush suspension and decent cornering thanks to its four-wheel drive system.

On one six-mile stretch of curvilinear pavement, I was able to experience just how well this SUV handles — it hugs the outside of the road with precision with very little body roll noted. This SUV imbues driver confidence in an all together stylish package.

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Safety and Technology Features

It is common matter that luxury cars, especially SUVs, are not put through the same crash test evaluations of more mainstream models.

The cost of destroying pricey vehicles is the main inhibitor of conducting such tests, therefore neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has tested the Range Rover Sport.

SUVs as a rule perform better than cars in crash tests, thanks in large part to two factors: size and weight. Regardless, there is an inherent weakness present. Namely, a higher risk of tipping over. Roll stability control is an effective mitigator and the Range Rover Sport has this technology built in.

Other standard safety features include a suite of airbags, stability and traction control, and anti-lock brakes. This equipment is common to all cars, nonetheless.

If you want such driver assist features as adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keep assist, and blind spot assist with reverse traffic detection, the Drive Pro Package is a $2,500 option on base models.

As for technologies, you get everything expected in a luxury SUV. That said, a surround view camera system comes bundled with configurable mood lighting and soft door close to form a $1,400 vision and convenience package. Other upgrades bring in an eight-inch rear entertainment system ($2,000), head-up display ($1,300), and an 18-speaker, 825-watt Meridian Surround Sound System ($1,100).

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Parting Thoughts

With the Velar now part of the Range Rover collection, shoppers have much to consider when shopping Land Rover. The latest Range Rover entry is just two inches shorter than the Sport, but it starts off with a turbo four-cylinder gas or diesel engine and tops out with a 380-horsepower supercharged V6. Definitely, if you place an importance on performance, the Sport gets the nod.

As for the Range Rover Sport, it does everything you expect in a five-passenger luxury SUV. If you need a seven-seater, then only the series-topping Range Rover will do, but its near $86,000 base price means a considerable cash outlay is in order.

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport