Land Rover Discovery

Among the Discovery's noteworthy features are an optional "active cornering enhancement" (ACE) system that reduces body roll, an off-road hill-descent system, and an optional self-leveling rear air suspension. But in contrast to its considerable off-road prowess, the Discovery lacks finesse on pavement. The steering is imprecise, and the ride is stiff and choppy. We tested a Discovery with the ACE suspension and found that its tail could swing out abruptly in emergency maneuvers. Overwhelmed by the Discovery's 4,700-pound curb weight, the outmoded 4.0-liter V8 delivers both lackluster acceleration and abysmal fuel economy. Some controls are awkward to use and cryptically labeled. The front seats don't go back far enough for tall drivers, and the small door openings and high step-in make access difficult. A brace of tiny third-row seats is optional.