Last year the Discovery was a clear winner in this class. In 2008, some very tough competition ran the Land Rover close, but it has held on to the heavyweight class for a second year.

Other cars may be quicker or corner better if pushed really 
hard, but they can’t match the Discovery’s broad blend of 
talents. In particular, the cabin 
is exceptionally spacious and versatile. Other 4x4s may have seven seats, but in the Land Rover, there’s enough space to use them.

There’s plenty of luggage room for a family holiday, too. Every item of luggage from our test load went into the boot. In fact, the Discovery barely dropped a point in our practicality tests. There’s a proper spare wheel, high-quality towing electrics, a high noseweight and a well-written manual.

Even on the longest journey, seven passengers can be comfortable, thanks to the pillowy air suspension. For a 4×4, there’s little wind and road noise, and the engine stays in the background unless really pushed.

While it can’t match the iron-fisted punch of the Audi Q7 or Range Rover Sport, the 2.7-litre diesel is strong enough to push the Discovery from 30-60mph in 18.1 seconds. Once up to the legal limit, it will happily hold this pace all day. The brakes are strong, too, pulling up more than four tonnes of car and caravan in just over 11 metres.

The lane-change test was the only obvious chink in the Discovery’s armour. The steering felt slow-witted and there was lots of body roll as the Land Rover was hustled between the cones.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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.