Finally, here’s the Discovery 5, the most important Land Rover since Evoque. It’s clean and classy on the outside but it’s the functionality that will decide its fate
Seven seats is a given in this sector but the Discovery will make every occupant feel like a king. Every seat is designed to cope with a full-sized adult, with the option to have all seven electrically heated too. Even better, every seat offers its own USB port (up to nine in total) to keep anti-social family members sufficiently distracted from each other.
Discovery 5 dispenses with tradition and offers a conventional upward-opening tailgate but with a twist. The outer bootlid features a low loading lip while a new secondary inner tailgate, made from aluminium and optionally electrically operated, keeps your boot contents in place and will support up to 300kg for your shooting party. Another clever feature is the roof spoiler, which diverts air across the roof and down over the screen, helping to keep it clear without recourse to the incivility of a rear wiper.
Interior space is improved but how it’s used has been considered too. There are hidden storage areas everywhere – pull out the cupholders and there’s room for four iPads, pull down the climate controls and you can stash valuables – Land Rover wants the Discovery to carry your stuff but keep the cabin uncluttered. Then there’s the magic of the Intelligent Seat Fold; ignore Paul Auster for a moment and you can fold the seats from your phone or even from the driver’s seat.
No Discovery would be worthy of the name without great towing ability and the 5 will drag the outgoing model into the weeds. 3500kg of towing capacity is a given, but Advanced Tow Assist will make you look like a reversing god. Using the surround view cameras and the terrain response controller you can decide where you want your trailer to go and keep your hands off the wheel. And wave at gawping onlookers
A new feature for Discovery 5 is the charmingly-named Elegant Assist. Rather than a John F. Kennedy School, this new tech will automatically lower the car for easy entry, exit and loading. Pull up and it drops 15mm, open a door and it deferentially drops a further 30mm to make your occupants feel like royalty (and to stop them getting papped when emerging in a short skirt).
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