LRD414
24th July 2017, 01:14 PM
My wife & I went to a Discovery launch thing today put on by Pacific Land Rover at Maleny Manor (Qld Sunshine Coast). Was able to have a good look inside and out but no driving on the day (test drives soon apparently). From very early on when there was only spy shots I had a gut feeling it would be good & expected to like it but actually it was very good and I came away thinking higher of the whole package.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/692.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WQigmD)
They had three different specs all in white on display, both 4 cylinder engine variants and an HSE V6. The lower spec was probably of most interest to me because you don't see it in the marketing, so here's a few thoughts mainly about that one.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/693.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WM85eC)
The storage and tech get a lot of focus and it all was good. In particular, the non-electric rear seats were really easy to put up & down. The lowered seats appeared slightly off horizontal but not enough to be a worry. The door and tailgate seals looked and felt next level compared to the D4. Seats are comfortable, only based on a few minutes sitting. The dash and console are well thought out and uncluttered, particularly the suspension height, transfer case, gearbox and terrain response selection switches and dials, which are now all together and closer to hand than the D4.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/694.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WM855u)
I much prefer the lighter interior tones but understandably dark was all they had. Having said that, the materials used even in low spec looked & felt high quality with little of that hard plastic cheapness.
I think the electric folding seats are a virtually pointless wow factor, especially having seen how good the manual 7 seat folding works. The manual system is smooth and easy by hand & significantly better than the D4, which was the best available for 7 seats. There's one downside, not triple split only 60/40. That's not a deal breaker for me so manual 7 seat would be my choice. It’s a shame the marketing focuses on silly things like moving the seat configuration from your iPhone when surfing instead of the many well resolved, non-electric details that make up the manual seat version.
I'd say the rear has a bit less volume than the D4 but more than adequate for touring. It still holds two adults in the 3rd row so is close enough to the same useable space albeit in a different shape. My current drawer setup in the D4 may not be the best use of what is a slightly narrower opening in the new one but then again my large single unit is not the most flexible option anyway. It is more hemmed in and rounded off but I think still a more the adequately useful space.
The rear battery and fuse box setup is well done and quite easily accessed, plus they all have nice large battery posts under the bonnet for jump starting. If installing rear storage, access to the battery will need to be considered but for most non-expedition type trips that won’t be a problem. The Australian tow hitch is neatly arranged but not removable or coverable and seemed a good height for most types of vans and campers, although the higher camper trailers will need a raised tongue and ball.
Tailgate. I love mine but actually the one piece liftgate was fine and the small optional drawbridge-like gate is better than I expected and more solid than you'd think. It's electric operation is smooth. And this talk of splitting your head open on the corner when raised? Storm in a teacup. Might hit it at access height if you're completely absent minded, maybe. But at normal height you'd have to be 6'2" at least to graze your head. I'm 5'10" and no where near it.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/695.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/X37FrX)
The tailgate corners are sharp'ish which is not the best idea but overall it's not an issue. Not sure what height it sits at when up but seems no higher than many other cars and only an issue in very low car parks or perhaps a low garage with roller door mechanism that’s low slung.
Visibility. It’s not as good as the D4 and obviously that’s a disappointment given this is one of the very best aspects of the D4. But it’s not as bad as I expected at least for the first two rows and seems to be something we have to accept with modern vehicles. The third row has very much reduced vision and this would get annoying for long term users of those seats.
The engine bay is surprisingly uncluttered, even the V6. The lack of viscous fan has a bit to do with it and probably also the single turbo. Many of the components on the 4 seemed relatively easy to access for maintenance to my untrained eye, at least in comparison to the 3.0L but the rear of engine and firewall is tucked well under the windscreen cowl area and looked hard to get at. I'd say any auxiliary battery will need to go in the rear.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/696.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WQigHv)
Exterior styling. I expected to dislike the rear and be ambivalent about the front. Well the front looks very good to me and the rear was no where near as odd or large as I expected. That perspective must be only from exactly side on or end on because every angle I looked at seemed well proportioned. It does seem oversize in photos compared to real life. I don't love the sloping and wide c-pillar or the offset rear numberplate thing but they don't upset my eyes too much either.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/697.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/X37EtV)
The roof line with the slight step is a nice touch and well done and the ventilation holes in the rear spoiler were interesting, I think for dust minimisation on the rear glass? The doors come down very low so unclear how sliders will go but there is factory sidesteps (ugly to my eyes just like the D4) so that gives some hope at least for slider mounts being feasible.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/698.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WM86jJ)
The styling thing I really don't like is the low-level plastic cover treatment below tailgate. They make too much of something that is fairly unimportant and takes away from the vehicle's main shape and lines. It really should be blending in, not standing out.
The roof rack situation is of concern, at least at launch. The factory crossbars are terrible, way too high and ugly. But the rails on the roof look good and appear solid. Aftermarket rack companies should be able to adapt their attachment brackets easily enough to suit a lower profile design. Platforms will be harder but the roof is flat enough that a short or 3/4 platform will be achievable. I think it may take some time but they will get there.
Probably not entirely an unbiased review but I was trying to look at it objectively. It will undoubtedly have some niggles and faults but the overall package is very strong I think, like the D3 was when debuted compared to its predecessor. Put some 20" KO2s on & it would be virtually ready to go touring almost anywhere for most people. It won’t be properly expedition ready like the D4 but I think could be over time. After the usual first couple of years of ironing out teething issues my prediction is it will be the best long distance, all terrain tourer available, subject to what happens with the Defender. It really is a Range Rover in all but name too, significantly more so than the Evoque.
I'm still reserving some judgement until I've driven one but I feel confident that if my D4 wasn't so good and so well setup exactly how I want it, this would be what I'd get. However that’s pretty much hypothetical because I’m keeping the D4 for many years yet.
Cheers,
Scott
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/692.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WQigmD)
They had three different specs all in white on display, both 4 cylinder engine variants and an HSE V6. The lower spec was probably of most interest to me because you don't see it in the marketing, so here's a few thoughts mainly about that one.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/693.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WM85eC)
The storage and tech get a lot of focus and it all was good. In particular, the non-electric rear seats were really easy to put up & down. The lowered seats appeared slightly off horizontal but not enough to be a worry. The door and tailgate seals looked and felt next level compared to the D4. Seats are comfortable, only based on a few minutes sitting. The dash and console are well thought out and uncluttered, particularly the suspension height, transfer case, gearbox and terrain response selection switches and dials, which are now all together and closer to hand than the D4.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/694.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WM855u)
I much prefer the lighter interior tones but understandably dark was all they had. Having said that, the materials used even in low spec looked & felt high quality with little of that hard plastic cheapness.
I think the electric folding seats are a virtually pointless wow factor, especially having seen how good the manual 7 seat folding works. The manual system is smooth and easy by hand & significantly better than the D4, which was the best available for 7 seats. There's one downside, not triple split only 60/40. That's not a deal breaker for me so manual 7 seat would be my choice. It’s a shame the marketing focuses on silly things like moving the seat configuration from your iPhone when surfing instead of the many well resolved, non-electric details that make up the manual seat version.
I'd say the rear has a bit less volume than the D4 but more than adequate for touring. It still holds two adults in the 3rd row so is close enough to the same useable space albeit in a different shape. My current drawer setup in the D4 may not be the best use of what is a slightly narrower opening in the new one but then again my large single unit is not the most flexible option anyway. It is more hemmed in and rounded off but I think still a more the adequately useful space.
The rear battery and fuse box setup is well done and quite easily accessed, plus they all have nice large battery posts under the bonnet for jump starting. If installing rear storage, access to the battery will need to be considered but for most non-expedition type trips that won’t be a problem. The Australian tow hitch is neatly arranged but not removable or coverable and seemed a good height for most types of vans and campers, although the higher camper trailers will need a raised tongue and ball.
Tailgate. I love mine but actually the one piece liftgate was fine and the small optional drawbridge-like gate is better than I expected and more solid than you'd think. It's electric operation is smooth. And this talk of splitting your head open on the corner when raised? Storm in a teacup. Might hit it at access height if you're completely absent minded, maybe. But at normal height you'd have to be 6'2" at least to graze your head. I'm 5'10" and no where near it.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/695.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/X37FrX)
The tailgate corners are sharp'ish which is not the best idea but overall it's not an issue. Not sure what height it sits at when up but seems no higher than many other cars and only an issue in very low car parks or perhaps a low garage with roller door mechanism that’s low slung.
Visibility. It’s not as good as the D4 and obviously that’s a disappointment given this is one of the very best aspects of the D4. But it’s not as bad as I expected at least for the first two rows and seems to be something we have to accept with modern vehicles. The third row has very much reduced vision and this would get annoying for long term users of those seats.
The engine bay is surprisingly uncluttered, even the V6. The lack of viscous fan has a bit to do with it and probably also the single turbo. Many of the components on the 4 seemed relatively easy to access for maintenance to my untrained eye, at least in comparison to the 3.0L but the rear of engine and firewall is tucked well under the windscreen cowl area and looked hard to get at. I'd say any auxiliary battery will need to go in the rear.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/696.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WQigHv)
Exterior styling. I expected to dislike the rear and be ambivalent about the front. Well the front looks very good to me and the rear was no where near as odd or large as I expected. That perspective must be only from exactly side on or end on because every angle I looked at seemed well proportioned. It does seem oversize in photos compared to real life. I don't love the sloping and wide c-pillar or the offset rear numberplate thing but they don't upset my eyes too much either.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/697.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/X37EtV)
The roof line with the slight step is a nice touch and well done and the ventilation holes in the rear spoiler were interesting, I think for dust minimisation on the rear glass? The doors come down very low so unclear how sliders will go but there is factory sidesteps (ugly to my eyes just like the D4) so that gives some hope at least for slider mounts being feasible.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/698.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WM86jJ)
The styling thing I really don't like is the low-level plastic cover treatment below tailgate. They make too much of something that is fairly unimportant and takes away from the vehicle's main shape and lines. It really should be blending in, not standing out.
The roof rack situation is of concern, at least at launch. The factory crossbars are terrible, way too high and ugly. But the rails on the roof look good and appear solid. Aftermarket rack companies should be able to adapt their attachment brackets easily enough to suit a lower profile design. Platforms will be harder but the roof is flat enough that a short or 3/4 platform will be achievable. I think it may take some time but they will get there.
Probably not entirely an unbiased review but I was trying to look at it objectively. It will undoubtedly have some niggles and faults but the overall package is very strong I think, like the D3 was when debuted compared to its predecessor. Put some 20" KO2s on & it would be virtually ready to go touring almost anywhere for most people. It won’t be properly expedition ready like the D4 but I think could be over time. After the usual first couple of years of ironing out teething issues my prediction is it will be the best long distance, all terrain tourer available, subject to what happens with the Defender. It really is a Range Rover in all but name too, significantly more so than the Evoque.
I'm still reserving some judgement until I've driven one but I feel confident that if my D4 wasn't so good and so well setup exactly how I want it, this would be what I'd get. However that’s pretty much hypothetical because I’m keeping the D4 for many years yet.
Cheers,
Scott