1997 Land Rover Discovery User Reviews

An Icon — Despite the entry of several excellent (mainly Asian) contenders to the 4WD market, the Land Rover name still stands at the pinnacle. Before Rover built the luxury icon, the Range Rover, it was building jeep replacements in the form of the Land Rover. A practical, cheap and indestructible work-horse, it soon became an icon. Top Gear rated the Land Rover as the best car of the century, mainly for the fact that more people in more countries have seen one than any other vehicle. The Range Rover came along and created a new class of 4WD - here was a car you could plough your paddocks with when the tractor broke down, then take to the theatre at night time. By the early 1990's, other car manufacturers had found a market for the cheaper, but comfortable 4WD buyer. People started buying them more for the commanding driving position than their off-road capabilities. The Land Rover Discovery was born. Taking the old standard-spring chassis of the Range Rover (now riding on air suspension) and even using the same windscreen, the Discovery became a favourite of people all over the world, and helped to keep Land Rover profitable. The 1997, 5 cylinder diesel automatic version I drove was a different experience to what I was used to. It rode high, but extremely comfortably, and took bumps and obstacles without blinking. Far from the rough 4WDs I had driven before, this was one of the smoothest cars I'd ever driven. The turbo-diesel engine is good on fuel and works well off road, but is far from the fastest machine. Crossing traffic and merging are exercises in caution. Fit and finish are much better than earlier cars, and the cult following is there for a reason - these are great cars.

Unless You Must Drive Through The Amazon Jungle, Don't Even Think About Buying It. — Never ever buy a Land Rover! This was the absolute worst vehicle purchase I have ever made. Lucas Electric, a British company, should never ever be allowed to make electronic components. Our Discovery was an oil leaking, exhaust leaking, electrical nightmare! It was an absolute money pit. i will say, it drove awesome off road and in the snow, sand, and mud, but that is all.

Primary Use: Family transportation

Would Be So Awesome If Any Lr/rr Was Reliable — I love landrover and range rovers, they look great, have a premium feel, not your typical mall runner. but do tend to run to the maintenance shop way more than is acceptable for me!!! I think about buying another one ALL THE TIME but have to scare myself out of it

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

Best 4 X 4 X Far — Very reliable. 155,000 miles with no significant problems. Bit of a gas hog though, averages 17.5 mpg (that's US gallons). Pulls a fully laden trailer and has never got stuck in the snow or mud etc. More comfortable to sleep in than a Mini.

Primary Use: Utility (towing boats, transporting cargo, etc.)

Go Anywere — goes anywere i tell it to slowley but gets there pulls jeeps out with ease only ever stop for fuel get 5 adults and two dogs in with ease doesn't have to be spotless to look good not a soft roader

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)