Land Rover Discovery

The LR4’s successor is a luxury three-row SUV that blends on-road civility with off-road and towing prowess. We found the 340-hp, 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine provides ample power and the eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly; this combo returned 17 mpg overall in our tests. A 254-hp, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 is also available. The second row can fit three adults, but it is too low for optimal comfort, and accessing the tight third-row seat is awkward. While the optional air suspension makes the ride steady and controlled, the Disco is a bit lumbering in corners. Controls can be confusing, but the front seats are very comfortable and the quiet cabin is nicely furnished.

A redesign for 1999 Discovery added notable features. Among them: an optional active-cornering system that reduces body roll, an off-road hill-descent system, and an optional self-leveling rear air suspension. But this capable off-road vehicle lacks finesse on the pavement. The steering is imprecise, the ride is stiff and choppy, and the tail can swing out abruptly in emergency maneuvers. Acceleration is lackluster and fuel economy abysmal. Some controls are awkward and cryptically labeled.