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AUTO REVIEW

quirks by the way: The window controls sit at the top of the inner go, panoramic sunroof, 380-watt Meridian premium audio with 11
speakers, and 12-way adjustable front seats with driver memory set-
doors rather than lower down, the volume knob for the stereo is on
the right side of the center stack, presumably because in the UK tings, will be selected by most buyers. The 7-Seat package, which in-
cludes a third row of seats and an electronically controlled air
cars are right hand drive, and the Discovery retains the (kinda hokey)
rotary gearshift knob that rises from the center console when you suspension is also likely to be popular. I would select that package
start the engine. Nevertheless, the inside of the 2018 Land Rover for the air suspension alone, which adds significantly to the Discov-
Discovery is a very pleasant place in which to spend time. ery’s ride quality. Average transaction prices for Discoveries are likely
Jaguar Land Rover’s infotainment has been improved in this its to be in the mid- to high-$60,000 range, but a fully optioned Dis-
most updated iteration, but I still found it lagging behind the indus- covery can reach $80,000, which is Range Rover territory.
try benchmark Audi. For example, entering a point of interest into Land Rover provides a complimentary two-hour off-road driving
the (touch activated) system is a hit or miss affair, and I found the course to all buyers of new Discovery models. I took that course
voice recognition system to be limited and difficult to operate. two years ago at their Carmel, Calif. location and learned a tremen-
Things are much better than they were in the LR4, but there’s still dous amount about Land Rover’s off-road capabilities (as well as
work to be done. (That’s true in other areas as well: Land Rover is how to drive off-road).
below average in the most recent JD Power initial quality survey.) The 2018 Land Rover Discovery moves decisively into the luxury
As noted above, my test vehicle came with a 3.0 liter V6 turbo mainstream with a more aerodynamic (and stylish) body as well as
diesel engine coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and unibody construction. It rides better than it used to and provides a
that is the combination I would recommend. The torquey diesel had more comfortable driving experience too. Purists may howl in frus-
no trouble moving the 5,586 lbs Land Rover around with dispatch, tration, but given strong sales I don’t see Land Rover turning back.
even when merging onto the freeway or passing, and there’s the not-
incidental fact that the diesel gets you 21 MPG city/26 highway. If you’re in the market for this kind of vehicle, call Phil Hornbeak
Despite my diesel enthusiasm, most Discoveries will be ordered at 210-301-4367.
with the 340 HP supercharged 3.0 liter gasoline powered V6. Pre-
dictably, there is a fuel economy penalty with that engine (16 MPG Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist
city/21 highway.) who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
Of the three trim levels — SE, HSE, and HSE Luxury — the here in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
HSE, which adds tasty features like gorgeous 20-inch wheels, keyless for San Antonio Medicine since 1995.

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