Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6 -- Tow Test

Boosting the base price by just over $20,000, our TDV6 Discovery test car came with a healthy swag of options, including Bournville (dark brown) metallic paint, seven-seat leather trim pack, console cooler box, privacy glass, electronic rear locking diff, surround camera, rear-seat entertainment system including wireless headphones, 11-speaker audio and 7in touchscreen display with off-road mapping.

Inside, the classy, upmarket ambience is enhanced by a matching brown/beige interior colour scheme including stitched leather on the dash. Also adding to the luxury feel was a big touchscreen display, complete with sophisticated trip computer and sat nav system, and crisp-sounding Harmon Kardon audio system.

Space and comfort is generously provided for all passengers in this family-sized wagon, with the extra headroom provided by the high-set roof ensuring you’ll never feel claustrophobic.

Fitted with the optional, twin folding third-row seats along with a proper second row middle seat, the Discovery is also one of few seven seat wagons that can comfortably accommodate seven adults for an extended trip, without causing leg cramping.

The driver is provided a commanding view of the road ahead too, partly thanks to a low bonnet and raised but comfortable seating position. While the uncluttered dash presentation and clear instruments contribute to the overall user-friendly layout.

Land Rover has made good use of available space for storage, with two gloveboxes up front, decent side door pockets and a useful storage bin in the rear load area, which can swallow a significant 1192 litres of cargo (in five-seat mode).

Accessed by a handy split tailgate, the beige-carpeted luggage compartment also includes a 12V socket and a full-size spare wheel is located in the undercarriage.

Diesel engine clatter is well suppressed, but like the diesel Ford Territory which uses the same 2.7-litre V6 oiler, it’s a bit sluggish off the mark due to some turbo lag. There’s a decent shove from around 3000rpm though, helped along by the swift, smooth-shifting six-speed adaptive auto box.

The independent air suspension glides over a range of road surfaces without disturbing occupants. It also helps keeps the 2.5 tonne wagon in check around corners, although the body leans when pushed. Strong grip and decent steering feel add to the planted, on-road feel.

Another strongpoint is the list of standard safety features, which include an electronic parking brake, anti-skid braking, brake assist, stability control, Enhanced Understeer Control, roll stability system, and hill descent control. The airbags also extend all the way to the third row, protecting all passengers.

While the Land Rover could keep up a steady cruise while towing, the 2.7-litre engine lacked sufficient grunt for strong acceleration or overtaking. If this is an issue then the 3.0-litre diesel with 160Nm extra torque could be a better option, although there’s the $15,000 premium and bigger fuel bills to contend with.

Driving solo, the Discovery averaged 10.6L/100km for a combination of freeway and city driving, increasing to 15.6L/100km while towing over a course which included some freeway cruising.

Thanks to the airbag suspension we noticed no rear suspension sag, which is a good thing as Land Rover doesn’t recommend use of a weight distribution hitch. The clever 4WD and traction control systems also ensured it was a fuss-free exercise running the boat up and down the ramp with the big Chaparral on the back.

The Discovery 4 also featured Trailer Stability Assist, a towing aid that detects trailer oscillations and intervenes using the brakes and by reducing engine torque. We didn’t get the chance to experience it in action, but it was nice to know it was there just in case.

Our test vehicle also came with a wiring adapter kit that plugs into the trailer socket to prevent ‘pulsing’ of any LED rear tail-lights.

The consummate all-rounder, at home in the ‘burbs or in the bush, it’s also one of the most stable and confidence-inspiring tow vehicles I’ve had the pleasure of driving. And in entry-level TDV6 form at least, pretty good value for money.