Land Rover Discovery 

If you’re after a big, posh off-roader with seven seats and bucket-loads of off-road ability, you should definitely take a look at the Land Rover  Discovery.

Unlike the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE, the Land Rover Discovery doesn’t try and look like a high-riding sport scar. Instead, its boxy body, black plastic trims and silver skid-plates make it look sturdy and tough – albeit in a subtle, understated way. If you want something that’ll turn heads on the school run, the futuristic Lexus RX is a better bet.

It’s a similar story with the Land Rover Discovery’s interior. Sure, you get plenty of soft plastics and brushed metal trims as standard, but it lacks the pizzazz of the Lexus’ bonkers cabin. You don’t get satellite navigation or leather seats in entry-level cars which seems a bit mean – especially when you consider these things come as standard in an Audi Q7.

The Audi’s infotainment system is easier to use, too. But the Land Rover Discovery’s roomier interior means it’s better at carrying lots of passengers. There’s space for six-footers to stretch out in the front five seats and there’s just about enough space left over for adults in the very back – not so in many seven-seat SUVs. You’ll have to flip the rearmost seats down if you need to carry anything larger than a weekly shop in the boot, though.

If it’s some seriously bulky luggage you’ll be carrying, you can flip all but the front seats down to open up a huge van-like load bay. When it comes to helping out with impromptu house moves, the Discovery is hard to beat.

S

The Discovery S is the cheapest model in the range (although it’s not exactly low-cost…) and, from the inside, it feels it – the seats are fabric, not leather and you don’t get nice, glossy trim pieces. You also have to do without front and rear parking sensors – almost essential in a car this size. You do, however, get a powered tailgate, an eight-inch touchscreen (but with no sat-nav), automatic emergency braking, air-conditioning and 19-inch alloy wheels.

4 engines available with the S trim 2L Petrol & 3L petrol and diesel 

R-Dynamic S

Even this basement-level spec for the Discovery features LED headlights, heated folding door mirrors and a heated windscreen. In addition, you get dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and 14-way electrically adjustable and heated front seats. There’s also R-Dynamic styling, a black exterior pack and darkened rear lights., plus darker interior trim.

2 engines available with the R-Dynamic S trim 2L petrol & 3L Diesel 

R-Dynamic SE  

Step up to R Dynamic SE and you’ll enjoy the benefits of headlight washers, front and rear panoramic roofs, automatic full beam and automatic headlight levelling. On top of all that there’s 21-inch dark grey alloy wheels and an electrically adjustable steering column. Comfort is taken care of by the 18-way adjustable front seats, and a 12-speaker 400W Meridian audio system takes care of the tunes.

4 engines available with the R-Dynamic SE trim 2L petrol 3L petrol and diesel 

R-Dynamic HSE

You’re entering ‘all the bells and whistles’ territory now. For a start, Matrix LED headlights show the way ahead, and you can even open the tailgate merely by waving your foot beneath the rear bumper. The alloys are now 22 inches in diameter. Inside, the middle-row seats are heated and electrically adjustable, and the two rear seats can be raised and lowered electrically.

2 engines available with the R-Dynamic HSE trim 3L petrol & diesel