Land Rover Discovery Series 5 Comprehensive Review 2017. Everything you'll need to know.

Jonathan Crouch gives us an in-depth Land Rover Discovery Series 5 2017-2020. If you want to watch more reviews on vehicles like this Land Rover Discovery Series 5 2015-2020, make sure to SUBSCRIBE to our channel and comment what YOU want us to review next.

In early fifth generation form, Land Rover's Discovery continued to offer the toughest, the most practical and the most capable choice in the large SUV sector. Structurally with this much improved design, much was borrowed from larger Range Rover models, along with fresh engine options and more sophisticated media connectivity. The Discovery though, continued to have its own authentic appeal. In many ways, it remains the ultimate expression of the Land Rover brand. Here we look at the early pre-facelift 2017-2020-era Discovery models for the used buyer.

In fifth generation form, Land Rover's Discovery was re-imagined and revitalised by the Solihull brand to better compete with its less capable large segment SUV rivals.

Without the Discovery model line, it's doubtful whether the Land Rover brand would even exist today. Launched back in 1989, the original version merely bolted more spacious bodywork onto an aging Range Rover chassis, but the sales that this and the subsequent updated 'Discovery 2' design managed to generate were considerable. Enough to save the company and finance development of a properly sophisticated Discovery model, the third generation car launched in 2004. Thanks to its double chassis and air suspended 'Integrated Body Frame' technology, this contender was able to match decent tarmac driving dynamics to Land Rover's legendary off road prowess and customers loved it. So much so that the brand kept the same basic design for the Discovery 4 model of 2009, which added in a smarter cabin and more effective engineware.

When the time came to create the fifth generation version of this SUV though, it was clear that a fresh direction would be needed. So in 2017 at launch, the familiar boxy shape gave way to a sleeker silhouette that borrowed much from the smaller Discovery Sport model. And what lay beneath the curvier panelwork was even more significant, the old heavy duty body-on-frame architecture of the previous designs replaced by the more car-like aluminium monocoque used by modern era large Range Rovers.

Some of the MK5 model changes were controversial - like the decision to dispense with the old split rear tailgate. And some of them were merely sensible - like the introduction of new-era media connectivity and camera-driven safety tech. Ultimately, the object of it all, says Land Rover, was to create a large luxury 7-seat SUV that could compete more credibly with ultra-modern-feeling direct rivals like Audi's Q7 and Volvo's XC90 and attract fresh buyers to the brand. All without upsetting the muddy boot-wearing upper-middle class folk who'd done so much to establish the Discovery model line. The car in this form sold until late 2020, when it was heavily updated with mild hybrid engines and new electric architecture. But it's the pre-facelift 2017-2020-era models we look at here.

Presenter: Jonathan Crouch

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