A MINOR facelift aimed at retaining some visual connection with the radically new Range Rover hardly alters the essence of Land Rover’s stalwart, the Discovery. And it does not hide the fact that the Disco has tended to stay put as the rest of the 4WD field moves off in new, softer directions. As a result, the company’s volume seller has less market traction than it once did. Today, most 4WD customers are beginning to realise they never really wanted a proper off-roader anyway. So what was once the outstanding example of how an off-road vehicle should work is now left in a sort of no-man’s land. Its future poses interesting questions: Should the Discovery go soft, or should it stay true to its roots? Never has accurately reading the car market been more important.

Land Rover Discovery
Released: October 1991
Ended: October 2002
Family Tree: DiscoveryLAND Rover's Discovery appeared internationally in the UK in 1989 as a little brother to the Range Rover, but didn't make it on sale here until October, 1991. Back then it featured a 3.5-litre petrol V8, but before long a 2.5-litre diesel was added, along with a two-door version. Over the years a number of variants and special editions were added, with the V8 growing to 4.0 litres, the diesel becoming a five-cylinder and chassis re-engineering improving its tarmac performance. But the cosmetic facelift that forms the Series II makeover tested here is the first significant visual change to Discovery in more than a decade.
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