Red Merle wrote:

Robse wrote:

Red Merle wrote:

I've been to see one for myself today and I'm just leaving the dealer now.

It's a nice enough car, though it's biggest problem is probably it's name. If it hadn't set the expectations so high, by calling it "Discovery", or even "Land Rover", it might not have disappointed like this. It is not a Discovery replacement. Think more "bloated Disco Sport".

I did spend over an hour with it, hoping it might grow on me, but it didn't. However, parked side by side with it, the FFRR started to look rather nice and the, much slimmer, Disco Sport looked positively handsome

So please do tell. What is it that it hasn't got or doesn't do that stops it being a Discovery ?

That's a really good question!

Ever since I drove a Disco 1, around 2000, all Discos have shared a huge number of common features (I won't list them all again here!) but, suffice it to say, it was a practical working car, with spacious and airy interior, first and foremost. It was a modern take on the original Land Rover. Over the years, the frankly rubbish handling of the D1 gradually got better, as did the performance and the car got nicer and nicer inside BUT the usefulness was never compromised before now.

I'm not blind to its "faults". While much smoother and more car like than many Far East 4x4's, it was still essentially a working farm tool and there's no disguising that in the way that it drives; I don't care though, it's part of why I like it! Unfortunately, to many trying a D4 for the first time, having ventured out of their anaemic German saloon cars for probably the very first time, it was hard to "get it" and the drive still felt old fashioned - I understand that.

What we have in the D5 is a over sized and over styled modern 7 seat estate/MPV car as a starting point, that's been adapted to make it a little bit Land Rover like. Those that have never driven anything more adventurous than a 5 Series should feel instantly at home.

What we've lost is the upright command driving position, a view down onto the corners of the bonnet, a distinctive shape, the light and airy interior, the stadium seating, the low waistline, the ability to comfortably rest an elbow on the window sill, a proper tailgate, 6" of headroom from the far end of the loading bay, rear doors that you can still open in a tight space, M+S tyres as standard fitment (very telling, that one!), a roof designed with fitting and using a roof rack in mind and even a bonnet that's square flat and practical to put your laptop and paperwork on and work at on a nice day when literally "out in the field"!

If Land Rover had made it a separate range I could have understood. But losing the Discovery to make way for a bigger Evoque is unforgivable

Fair comment but none of those points are actually going to stop any of us doing what we do in our Discovery !

You seem to be more worried about the look of it. I thought that the school run mums and the German saloon drivers would be more concerned about that.

It's too expensive for me anyway but I look forward to seeing them on the road

Big Al wrote:

Thanks, that the puppy in the foreground, not so small now.

The big one is obscured, and behind him. They're both fully grown now at 10.5 stone each, and the "puppy" is currently sat on me!!!

Robse wrote:

Well ok then, there's been lots said about the "look" in other threads.

Still don't see what we can't do in this new one that we do in the present one.

Open the tailgate without needing warning buzzers and 2m clearance?

petersw wrote:

The difference I can see is the D5 will be far more an accomplished off roader

waits

dubbs wrote:

Robse wrote:

Well ok then, there's been lots said about the "look" in other threads.

Still don't see what we can't do in this new one that we do in the present one.

Open the tailgate without needing warning buzzers and 2m clearance?