Few cars create such admiration and annoyance in equal measure as the Land Rover Discovery. To some it symbolises the kind of extravagance that is responsible for global warming, to others it is a practical combination of people carrier, off-roader, estate and luxury transport.
Either way, one thing is beyond argument: the latest model is the best of the breed. The third incarnation of the Land Rover Discovery was launched in the UK in 2004 and was immediately acknowledged as being on a different plane from its forebears.
The new styling carried enough of the old design cues to remain familiar while still managing to expand the Discovery's internal volume to make it into a proper seven-seat vehicle. The interior is unfussy and extra space is gained by the use of an electronic parking brake that releases automatically when moving off rather than a conventional manually operated one.
There is no shortage of places to store items either, with Land Rover claiming space enough to hold 17.5 litres of drinks in the large door bins. Even the key fob has been well designed: built to withstand a 30ft drop, it continuously recharges itself from the ignition, meaning owners will never have to replace the battery.
Land Rover replaced the transmission and gearboxes and installed the latest suspension systems so that the vehicle was comfortable both on and off road. Under the bonnet there was a choice of two engines, one petrol and one diesel. The superb 2.7 litre V6 turbodiesel was the biggest seller and produces a healthy 190bhp. Combine this with a hefty 324 lb ft of low-down torque and it will propel the 2,600kg Discovery from 0-60mph in about 11sec - significantly quicker than the 17sec taken by its diesel forerunner.
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The 4.4 litre V8 petrol unit feels even quicker, with 300bhp under the bonnet, but while it has a claimed fuel efficiency of 20mpg few drivers will find they can achieve anywhere near that figure in normal driving conditions.
On the road the Discovery feels much more like a car than its predecessor thanks to the air suspension, which is standard on all but the entry-level model.
Not only does the vehicle ride well but cornering can now be tackled with a little more confidence because body roll has been significantly reduced.
Permanent four-wheel drive means that turning off the tarmac and onto the mud requires no thought, and huge ground clearance ensures ruts are dispatched with ease. The low-range gearbox gives the Discovery the ability to crawl up surfaces that would have mountain goats struggling for a foothold.
Even more impressive is how the Discovery flatters the driver. No matter how tough the going, the car deals with it calmly, nonchalantly pulling you out of even the most troubling environment.
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But while the car's off-road ability has never been questioned, its build quality and reliability have, and it is here that the biggest changes have been felt. With high-mileage examples now commonplace and manufacturer warranties soon coming to an end the third-generation Discovery is proving itself to be a robust and reliable vehicle. Early problems with suspension now seem to have been resolved, gearboxes and engines appear trouble free and interiors are wearing well.
So if you fancy the second-best Land Rover built (I still regard the Range Rover as king of the off-roaders) then what should you buy? Well, forget the manual and go for the sublime six-speed automatic box. Don't bother with the stress of the V8's fuel consumption, just pick up the super-smooth V6 diesel. A used HSE with leather, bi-xenon headlamps and upgraded stereo is also well worth the extra outlay.
The latest generation of Discovery is a mighty impressive vehicle, and whether we believe it's politically correct or not it certainly deserves our respect.
Safety Four stars for Euro NCAP adult safety
Rear seats Third row of forward-facing seats are not quite full size but perfect for children up to about 16
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Alloys HSE models get larger rims. Check all wheels carefully for signs of scuffing and tyres for uneven wear due to the after-effects of kerbing
Warranty Three-year unlimited mileage warranty provided the service schedule is adhered to
Seats Seat squabs can be prone to creasing on models with cloth upholstery
Space Third-generation Discovery wheelbase is 335mm longer than previous models, creating masses of extra space, while overall length has grown by just 130mm
Navigation system Excellent touchscreen system standard on SE and HSE models
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Terrain response system Adjusted using a knob in the centre console, the system selects the appropriate setting for ride height, gears and throttle response to suit the terrain you are on
Vital statistics
Model Land Rover Discovery 2.7 TdV6
Engine 2720cc, six cylinders
Power 190bhp
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Transmission Six-speed automatic
Fuel 30.7mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 11.2sec
Top speed 112mph
Values
Mileage 10,000 20,000 40,000
2004 04
Trade £25,000 £23,750 £21,400
Retail £29,500 £28,250 £26,000
2005 05
Trade £27,550 £26,200 £23,950
Retail £32,000 £30,750 £28,500
2006 06
Trade £30,400 £28,850 £26,400
Retail £35,000 £33,500 £31,000
The one to buy Land Rover Discovery 2.7 TdV6 HSE 2004 04 with 40,000 miles. Pay £26,000 at a dealer or £24,000 privately
Or for similar money
2004 04 BMW X5 3.0d SE
2004 54 Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 D4D
2005 05 Volvo XC90 2.4 D5
2005 05 VW Touareg 2.5 TDI Sport
2005 55 Mercedes-Benz ML 270 CDI