Land Rover Discovery

The Discovery 3 is the first Land Rover to be launched that was conceived and designed under Ford ownership of the company. It uses a modified Jaguar V8 petrol engine or a Ford-PSA V6 diesel and has moved further upmarket than ever. Land Rover has worked to eliminate niggling faults that sullied the original Discovery's reputation for reliability, and with the aid of complex electronics and air suspension made it a more accomplished performer off road, although there is still a workhorse, coil-spring diesel Discovery 3 at the bottom of the range. All but this entry level car can double as a seven-seat MPV with third row seats offering decent headroom and leg room. The pay-off for its spacious interior is a heavy car that can sometimes feel unwieldy around town, and whose V8 engine is exceptionally thirsty.

TD, V6, GS, XS, V8, S, SE, HSE

All Discovery 3s are quite well equipped for the money. Hill Descent Control, electronic traction control, active roll mitigation, dynamic stability control, electronic parking brake, a CD player, air conditioning, electric windows and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors are standard on the entry level model. Seven-seats are available on all but the base model and all seven-seat cars have automatic climate control, load-space cover, CD player, air suspension with Terrain Response. S models add larger alloys, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights, sat-nav, heated windscreen, heated seats and heated washer jets, Harmon/Kardon audio system and rear parking sensors. SE models add electric folding door mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, a rear luggage net, leather trim with electrically adjustable front seats, front fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and headlamp power wash. HSE models have sunroof and alpine roof, premium navigation system and premium in-car entertainment with 13 speakers plus a sub-woofer in the tailgate.

4.4 V8