For 2003, the Land Rover Discovery looks noticeably different from the front, smoother and softer looking, now having a family resemblance to the Range Rover.
New halogen headlights look especially cool, with the high and low beams slightly overlapping in a diagonal downward direction, visible behind a clear wraparound lens. Between them is a revised black three-bar grille. The front bumper has been slightly deepened to include new fog lights, raised to reduce stone damage.
The taillights, turn signals and rear fog lamps have also been tweaked and slightly relocated, and there are new alloy wheel designs for each model.
With its trademark alpine windows and utilitarian styling, the Discovery has a definite distinction. Flat panels and straight lines give it a neat, no-nonsense look that's handsome and classy. Many of the body panels, including the rear doors and quarter panels, are aluminum, to reduce weight and avoid corrosion. Others, like the hood and roof, are galvanized steel.
The current Discovery has a wider stance and a more confident look than pre-1999 models, but its visual heritage still goes back through the original Discovery, all the way back to the first Land Rover of 1948. It is a look that suggests safaris, expeditions, and high adventure. Two new exterior colors for 2003 bring the total to nine.
Discovery's interior is as distinctive as its exterior. It too was completely redesigned for 1999 to reduce British eccentricity. But British luxury abounds. The seats are comfortable in either Duragrain or leather. The driver's seat affords excellent visibility and there's lots of headroom. Land Rover calls its elevated seating the "Command Driving Position," and it does afford a commanding view of off-road driving situations.
Automatic climate control provides separate temperature adjustment for driver and passenger, and is easy to reach and to operate. Instruments include a compass, and a handy pointer on the fuel gauge reminds you which side the fuel filler door is on. An outside temperature readout is useful when traveling.
British eccentricity remains, however. Some of the switchgear is awkward to operate and requires the driver to look for the appropriate button. The audio system separates the AM and FM buttons instead of placing them alongside one another. Window switches are located on the center console rather than on the doors. The door lock button on the center dash is hard to find when you want to lock or unlock the doors quickly, like when someone is knocking on the window for you to unlock the door. And the small inside door handles are hard to find and awkward to use.
The step up to Discovery's interior is a big one, and getting into the back seat requires a squeeze through a narrow door opening. Kids don't have any trouble, but shorter, older folks find it challenging. Once back there, however, it's comfortable. Rear-seat passengers sit higher, leading to the stepped roof, and they can view the world through expansive side windows, upper alpine windows and their own sunroof with the SE and HSE. Interior stowage abounds with bins and pockets. There's a 12-volt accessory socket in the cargo area. Cargo nets, tie-downs, grab handles and a cargo cover come standard.
The Rear Seat Package uses two foldaway seats in the cargo area. These front-facing jump seats feature cleverly designed head restraints that drop down from the ceiling, along with three-point seat belts.
For 2003, Land Rover has revamped the equipment packaging and Discovery model lineup. There are now three Discovery models: S ($34,350), SE ($38,350), and HSE ($40,350).
All three models use the new 217-horsepower aluminum 4.6-liter V8, with a sophisticated four-speed electronic transmission with Normal, Sport and Manual modes. Every Discovery uses a permanent (full-time) four-wheel-drive with a two-speed transfer case. It comes standard with traction control, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, and Hill Descent Control. Also standard are a power driver's seat; dual zone climate control; rear window washer, wiper and defroster; and rear fog lights.
Standard equipment with Discovery S includes seats covered with Duragrain, a tough, attractive vinyl-like material that comes in black or beige; an Alpine 100-watt AM/FM/cassette audio system with six speakers; and 16-inch alloy wheels.
SE and HSE come with black or beige leather seats and burled wood trim. Both offer six-disc CD changers, the SE using a 220-watt Phillips/Lear 12-speaker system, and the HSE using a 320-watt Harman Kardon system with 11 speakers. Both come with 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, dual power sunroofs, headlight washers, a cargo tonneau cover, and a Class III tow hitch.
HSE adds a GPS navigation system, power front passenger seat, rear park distance control (a convenient beeper that gauges relative distance to contact), and a self-leveling suspension with rear air springs, good for heavy loads.
Options for all models include a heated windshield and front seats, rear air conditioning, a third-row seat package consisting of two Duragrain jump seats and a hydraulic step for entry from the rear, and Java Black paint.
An optional Performance Package ($1700) for the SE and HSE includes Land Rover's Active Cornering Enhancement system. For 2003, a headliner-mounted DVD system is available
Pg1-You Are Here
Pg2-Before at the Dealership
Pg3-Now
Pg4-Mods
Pg5-Specifications
Pg6-Future Plans
