Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
Best ask Land Rover, they keep using the term in their advertising copy.
Other than that, I’d suggest it’s a combination of high seat / low and square bonnet / proper visibility of the front corners (see Defender (especially the Defender!) / Disco’s 1, 2, 3 & 4 / FF Range Rover / Freelander).2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
16th Apr 2018 6:34 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
Red Merle wrote:
If it were solely down to the “height of a driver’s eye”, every car, or van, with a high driver’s seat could be said to have a “command driving position”, so the term becomes completely meaningless; we might just as well all buy Ford Transits
Thanks for confirming that those that think it has 'gone' are concerned with a meaningless point 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
16th Apr 2018 6:54 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
Red Merle wrote:
Other than that, I’d suggest it’s a combination of high seat / low and square bonnet / proper visibility of the front corners (see Defender (especially the Defender!) / Disco’s 1, 2, 3 & 4 / FF Range Rover / Freelander).
By the magic of 'vision', a windscreen and sitting as high as I was in the D4..... unbelievably I'm able to see the road just as well 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
16th Apr 2018 6:58 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23830
From memory, whilst sitting in a D5’s drivers Seat, I didn’t think the rear vision or the ability to judge where the four corners are is as good as the D3/4. I also seem to remember that the D5 is higher waisted with a smaller glass area in the doors. That’s what it felt like anyway.
This isn’t a criticism, just an observation. Many people will prefer to feel more cocooned, as in a “normal” car.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
Last edited by LT on 16th Apr 2018 7:30 am. Edited 1 time in total
16th Apr 2018 7:13 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
Sorry LT... in the middle of splitting the thread there
Yes the front is not square for sure but you get used to that very quickly...as for the rear view ...the ability to fold the rear headrests flat (when not in use ) makes for a much clearer 'full rear window' view from the drivers position IMO 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
Last edited by DG on 16th Apr 2018 7:27 am. Edited 1 time in total
16th Apr 2018 7:17 am
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
lespes wrote:
COMMAND DRIVING POSITION
Land Rover’s Command Driving Position provides the driver with an elevated view of the
road ahead and its surroundings, ensuring you’re always more aware of conditions.
So you can drive accordingly.
So, LR coin a term, describe it for the customers (as above) - what bit doesn't the D5 fulfil? It seems that 'others' add to the term then complain that their understanding now isn't met....Disco 5 HSE Lux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peyiqaJrmMU
16th Apr 2018 7:25 am
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
Okay, so it means “elevated” only. So it doesn’t differentiate it from any other 4x4/SUV/van/full size MPV on the market then. Thanks for clearing that one up.2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
16th Apr 2018 7:30 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23830
RedMerle, as the current owner of a FFRR and previous owner of D4’s, would you agree that the D4 had the better outward visibility? I’m trying, so far in vain, to think of a vehicle I’ve driven that’s as good as the D3/4 for visibility.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
Last edited by LT on 16th Apr 2018 7:38 am. Edited 1 time in total
16th Apr 2018 7:35 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
Red Merle wrote:
Okay, so it means “elevated” only.
Thats what I always understood it to mean and that isn't the point in contention ..not sure about you but when I'm driving I tend to look at the road ahead ...surely the test when it is said that the command position is gone is "can I see just as well" ...the answer I'm afraid for the sceptics is "yes I can" 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
16th Apr 2018 7:36 am
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
LT wrote:
RedMerle, as the current owner of a FFRR and previous owner of D4’s, would you agree that the D4 had the better outward visibility? I’m trying, so far in vain, to think of a vehicle I’ve driven that’s a good as the D3/4 for visibility.
Yes, undeniably, the D3/4 is better than the FF from that point of view but, for outright visibility, it seems to be the best of the current crop by some margin. It also shares a fair amount of that “light and airy” feel of the D3/4’s interior too. It was jumping out of a day’s off roading in a D5 and straight into a FF that clinched it for me 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
Last edited by Red Merle on 16th Apr 2018 8:17 am. Edited 1 time in total
16th Apr 2018 7:43 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23830
I’ve always thought it meant all round visibility, including view from mirrors.
I rode motor bikes on the road as soon as I turned sixteen, which is probably why I like a good 360 degree vision.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
16th Apr 2018 7:46 am
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
DG wrote:
Red Merle wrote:
Okay, so it means “elevated” only.
Thats what I always understood it to mean and that isn't the point in contention ..not sure about you but when I'm driving I tend to look at the road ahead ...surely the test when it is said that the command position is gone is "can I see just as well" ...the answer I'm afraid for the sceptics is "yes I can"
Under normal road conditions yes But, off road, it’s much harder to judge the position of the corners against immovable objects! And the cameras are too clumsy and inaccurate to judge a distance in an instant.2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
16th Apr 2018 7:46 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23830
Red Merle wrote:
LT wrote:
RedMerle, as the current owner of a FFRR and previous owner of D4’s, would you agree that the D4 had the better outward visibility? I’m trying, so far in vain, to think of a vehicle I’ve driven that’s a good as the D3/4 for visibility.
Yes, undeniably, the D3/4 is better than the FF from that point of view but, for outright visibility, it seems to be the best of the current crop by some margin. It also shares a fair amount of that “light and airy” feel of the D3/4’s interior too. It was jumping out of a day’s off reading in a D5 and straight into a FF that clinched it for me
I did a LRE half day in the FFRR, I don’t remember thinking that there was any issues with visibility but I couldn’t t judge the corners quite as easily as the more “boxy” D4. I put that down to lack of practice as much as anything though.
I agree, the Command Driving position of the FFRR is far superior to the other models in the current model line up.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
16th Apr 2018 8:14 am
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
I would say its a high seating position, with a relatively low dash board, that appears to give a good all round view, both out in a horizontal forward view, but also down slightly. I also think having relatively low door cards give the feel as well.
As an example, when i sit in my friends Q5, my shoulder is almost level with the door card. In the D4, its much lower, and the two feel worlds apart. Of course, the D4 has a higher ground clearance anyway!
I cant really comment on the D5 as I haven't spent enough time in one. I did think the drivers seat felt more cocooned though. Some will like, some won't i suppose. Im not fussed either way.
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...surely the test when it is said that the command position is gone is "can I see just as well" ...the answer I'm afraid for the sceptics is "yes I can" 
