"Practical Motoring" review of SD4 HSE

[Arapiles]

Hi All

Quite a long review of an SD4 HSE:


2018 Land Rover Discovery SD4 HSE Review | Practical Motoring (https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-reviews/2018-land-rover-discovery-sd4-hse-review-2/)


Shows the D5 getting up some steep hills.


Are the D4 and D5 owners who were on the test on AULRO?

[LRD414]

Always worth reading Robert Pepper. And the fitting of 18” wheels has been confirmed.

Scott

[Zeros]

Great to read such a comprehensive review for a change!.

It's definately a Discovery 5 despite the odd contradictions in first paras.

This is a worry IMO:
"The transmission is all-wheel drive with a computer-controlled centre clutch which cannot be manually locked." As is the automatic vehicle height control! and the computer restrictions / reduction of driver input stuff.

Despite this and a number of 'form over function' issues, the vehicle sounds awesome and would make a great tourer.

Clearly though it's primarily aimed at city market like all other current Land Rover models and most who want a more serious off-road vehicle will be waiting for Defender. Hopefully Defender actually allows the driver to be in control of all of the vehicles functions ( at least as an option!)

[chuck]

When I had my D3 Robert used it to compare against the D4 when it was first released.

Was a great day with a wealth of knowledge picked up from RMP.

That must have been back in 2010 - how time flies

[LRD414]

The fully automatic locking centre diff and speed controlled suspension height settings are nothing new with the D5, although as Robert explains the suspension height system has been improved quite a lot.

Driver control over the centre diff/clutch is simply not required on these vehicles, it’s not a traditional diff. I have never struck a situation in the D4 where my input to the forward/rear biasing of torque would have improved the outcome.

Additional suspension height control by the driver used to be needed for the D3/4 and this was quite easily achieved via aftermarket means (Llams or iiD diagnostic tool). With the new system the case is not as strong for extra aftermarket control but it is still available if you think you need more control (Llams is available but I don’t know if the iiD is ready yet).

So nothing to worry about.

The other areas of form over function (storage, console controls, electric fold seats, etc) are relevant and worthy of consideration regarding touring suitability or otherwise but the drivetrain is plenty serious.

Cheers,
Scott

[Lee Jackson]

Is that another sexy D5 I see in the background.

[Arapiles]

Is that another sexy D5 I see in the background.

Yes, and it has the rear e-locker.

[BobD]

Is that another sexy D5 I see in the background.

I assume it is yours in that nice Loire Blue.

[Ean Austral]

Proberly the best write up I have read so far , atleast the pros and cons were well thought out and put forward.


The faithful will like it , the non faithful will call it bias from a L/R journo.


Cheers Ean