The Land Rover Discovery has returned. Reborn as a unibody SUV, the Discovery replaces the old body-on-frame LR4, and in addition to losing roughly 1,000 pounds, the new model sheds the boxy styling of its predecessor. But with its new look and non-ladder-frame construction, has the Discovery/LR4 gone soft? You decide in this installment of Refreshing or Revolting.
The front end is now more rounded, and seems to draw more inspiration from the Range Rover Sport than its smaller Discovery Sport stablemate. The SUV’s grille and headlights are both narrow, a stark contrast to the substantial headlamp and grille area that made up the majority of the LR4’s front end.
The Discovery bucks the SUV-with-raked-roofline trend with a profile that remains upright like the LR4. However, the Discovery looks much less boxy than its predecessor, with its angled C-pillar and rounded edges. The greenhouse also doesn’t look as tall on the new model.
In back, the two-part tailgate has been replaced with a traditional liftgate. Though that characteristic design feature is gone, the Discovery’s license plate area pays subtle tribute to the stepped look of the LR4 and original Discovery’s rear ends. Meanwhile, a roof-mounted spoiler visually extends the roofline.
Just as the two SUVs’ exteriors are dramatically different, so too are their interiors. The 2017 Discovery’s cabin is again more reminiscent of the Ranger Rover’s and Range Rover Sport’s than that of the Discovery Sport, with its smooth dash design and wide central infotainment screen. The Discovery cleans up the center stack with fewer switches and dials compared to the LR4.
How do you think the Discovery’s look compares to the rugged, utilitarian appearance of the LR4? Tell us in the comments below.
We asked you to analyze the styling of the 2018 Audi Q5 last week, and your responses were mostly lukewarm.
“Definitely not revolting, but not exactly refreshing either,” said Kirk Thom Mlynek. “Basically it’s par for the course, and exactly what I expected it to be. That said, there’s nothing wrong with that as it looks chiseled and handsome with a stellar interior.”
Sakja123 was less kind, saying, “The epitome of playing it safe. The interior is as I expected, similar to the A4. The exterior while nice looks more like a mid-cycle refresh.”
Monsterized agreed: “I don’t see it as a new-gen Q5. I see it like an update.”
The post Refreshing or Revolting: 2017 Land Rover Discovery appeared first on Motor Trend.
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