Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE

If you are wondering what tow car to buy, Practical Caravan's top test team reviews the Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE, a very competent contender

Verdict

Yes, it is expensive, but the Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE is one of the best tow cars you can buy at any price.

Pros

It is powerful and a great tug
Driving dynamics have been improved over its predecessor
The Discovery can seat seven

Cons

It’s not cheap

The Land Rover Discovery 4 answers our criticisms of the previous generation Discovery 3 while building on that car’s strengths. Price aside, there’s now little of substance to complain about.

Compared with German rivals like the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, the Discovery 3 was a little short of poke. That’s been addressed by replacing the 2.7-litre diesel with a 3.0-litre engine with more power and torque. Driven solo, there’s no end of punch for overtaking. Hitch up a caravan – even a big twin-axle tourer – and you’ll find more than enough muscle to get passed dawdling traffic. Pulling a Bailey Senator with a Mass in Running Order (MiRO) of 1435kg, the Discovery 4 accelerated from 30-60mph in just 9.9 seconds.

Sometimes you get what you pay for

Towing

The Discovery has more power and torque than before, so when considering what tow car to buy, when it comes to this model, on the road performance should not be a concern. The suspension has also been revised and the benefits of this are felt when towing – high-speed stability is excellent. In spite of the changes, the Discovery’s trademark ride comfort hasn’t been lost.

Everyday Driving

Driving solo, this is still a great steer. The Land Rover is now more fun around corners as well as quicker down the straights. There’s less roll than before and the steering is more precise.

Space

Inside, the cabin has been given an upmarket makeover. There are still seven seats and decent luggage space, even if all seven seats are upright. With the rearmost seats stowed away luggage space is huge.

Running Costs

Fuel economy and emissions aren’t the Discovery’s strongest suit. Nonetheless, strides have been made. You can expect 30.4mpg on the combined cycle according to official figures, and the Land Rover emits 244g/km of CO2.

The price tag of nearly £50,000 is steep – but sometimes you get what you pay for.