The infotainment screen is a bit small on early cars, so if tech is a sticking point then a post-2019 facelift car will appeal more. It has a bigger, 10in screen, and while the menu icons are a bit small, you can pair your smartphone with it to use apps such as Waze and Spotify.
You will pay closer to £14,000 for a facelifted model, but it’s worth the extra for the additional refinement and improved driving characteristics enabled by its move to a new platform – and it opens up a broader choice of engines.
Early Discovery Sports were only offered with the dated yet reliable 188bhp 2.2-litre diesel, while cars made between 2015 and 2019 came with a choice of three oil-burners: the 148bhp eD4, 178bhp TD4 and 237bhp SD4.
The TD4 balances economy and performance, but you will want the SD4 if you’re regularly towing a caravan. Be careful with the 2.0-litre Ingenium diesels, though – they aren’t known for their reliability (see right).
You could opt for a petrol instead. The turbocharged four-cylinder Si4 was offered with either 237bhp or 287bhp; they are potent but will sting you with regular stops at the pumps.
The big mid-life update brought mild-hybrid assistance and a number of styling revisions. Outputs for the petrol engines range from 197bhp to 246bhp, and from 148bhp to 237bhp for the diesels – although the entry-level 148bhp diesel goes without the hybrid tech.
Those looking to swerve a hefty BIK tax bill might be tempted by the P300e plug-in hybrid, which has an electric range of 43 miles and a meaty 305bhp to play with, which still sounds competitive even today.
The junior Discovery handles pretty well, the post-facelift version more so thanks to its lighter and stiffer PTA platform. It’s relaxed and composed and flows nicely down a country road.
Of course, its tall body likes to lean away from corners, and that prevents the car from challenging its more sporting rivals, but it rides comfortably, albeit with a bit less refinement around town where potholes can disturb things.
