2003 Land Rover Discovery

This rugged, lightweight V-8—whose roots date back to 1960s Buicks—has powered the top-of-the-line Range Rover for decades. Neither overhead-cam nor multi-valve, its two valves per cylinder activated by pushrods, it has been developed and refined through the years to where only its basic dimensions and aluminum head and block resemble the original.

The multi-adjustable driver's seat is quite comfortable and the sturdy cupholders will keep your coffee secure whatever the terrain.

With the RR getting a new BMW-derived engine for 2003, the ex-GM V-8 became available to bring the once-underpowered LR up to competitive standards of performance. Its only drawback is pretty paltry fuel economy of 12 mpg EPA city and 16 highway, not helped by its blocky shape and 4,600-4,900-pound curb weight, on the required premium unleaded fuel. The Discovery's closest domestic rival, Jeep's Grand Cherokee, delivers 235 hp and 13/18 mpg in 4.7-liter V-8, 4WD form, while the 275-hp 6-cylinder Chevy TrailBlazer offers 15/21.


While the boxy shape looks shorter, the 185-inch Discovery is slightly longer than the 182-inch Grand Cherokee and 180-inch Ford Explorer and shorter than the 192-inch TrailBlazer. Its 100-inch wheelbase, though, is shortest of the four, making its axle-to-bumper overhangs longer and its scrunch-free approach and departure angles (important off-road) generally lesser at 31 and 21 degrees, respectively, versus the TrailBlazer's 34/23, Explorer's 28/23 and Grand Cherokee's 37/28 degrees.


At 76.4 inches (less luggage rack), Discovery is taller than the others and feels it on the road. You notice the added height getting in and sitting atop the driver's upright perch, though the multi-adjustable seat itself is attractive and comfortable in handsome leather in the mid-range SE model we tested. Once in place, my longish legs felt somewhat cramped, with insufficient room to stretch, though the numbers show Discovery's legroom as slightly more than Grand Cherokee's, an inch less than TrailBlazer's and equal to Explorer's. My size-12 sneakers also were a bit incompatible with the Discovery's pedal placement—I sometimes found myself pushing the gas while brushing the brake, and vice versa.


Once underway, the '03 Discovery was surprisingly competent and civilized on the road. Performance is adequate at just under 10 seconds 0-60 (with good mid-range acceleration for passing), ride is smooth and quiet, and handling is reasonably agile despite the height and off-road intent. It feels less top-heavy than expected—no more so than most midsize SUVs—and its 18-inch Goodyear Wrangler HP mud and snow tires give surprising pavement grip. Aided by Land Rover's standard Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) system, the 4-wheel, 4-channel ABS disc brakes were especially impressive in dragging the robust Discovery down from highway speeds with great alacrity and stability.