Last year’s overall champion easily retains its class crown. It’s going to take a really exceptional car to beat it.

First and foremost, the Land Rover Discovery is a tremendous car for towing. It takes just 12 seconds to pull a big twin-axle from 30-60mph. If anything, it feels quicker than the raw numbers suggest. There’s rarely any need to put your foot to the floor, such are the reserves the 3.0 SDV6 engine has to call upon.

An outfit with a total weight the wrong side of four tonnes takes some stopping, but the Discovery’s brakes get the job done in just 10.6 metres. In spite of being so powerful, they’re also easy to apply smoothly.

Its high-speed stability is the equal of any car here. Line up the outfit on a straight road and you could almost drive it blindfolded. In the lane-change test the Discovery does lean a little, and on fast runs the caravan could be felt pulling at the back of the car. It never seemed as if the Land Rover was about to get out of shape, though.

The 1-in-6 test hill might as well have been a speed bump for all the challenge it posed. The electronic parking brake stopped car and van from rolling backwards, then the mighty engine and smooth-shifting auto did the rest.

Reversing up the hill? Just as easy as going forwards.

The cabin is vast, with ample space for seven. There’s also a big boot, a Trailer Stability System and self-levelling suspension. What more could you possibly want?

2011
Other cars in this category
1900kg+

Audi Q7

3.0 TFSI Quattro

1900kg+

Hyundai Santa Fe

2.2 CRDi Style 7st

1900kg+

Kia Sedona

2.2 CRDi 3 auto

1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 XS

1900kg+

Land Rover Freelander

2.2 SD4 HSE

1900kg+

Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI Estate

BlueEfficiency Avantgarde

1900kg+

Mercedes-Benz ML350 CDI

Grand Edition

1900kg+

Mitsubishi Shogun

3.2 DI-DC LWB Elegance auto

1900kg+

Saab 9-5

2.0 TTiD Vector SE

1900kg+

Volkswagen Touareg

3.0 V6 TDI Escape

ContinueWe use cookies to give you the best browsing experience and to provide you with relevant content and advertising.
By continuing to use our website you are accepting our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy.