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- Craig
- Member Since: 15 Jan 2026
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 4
Thinking of getting a new D5
Hello all , l have just joined your group , thanks for the opportunity to jump on board.
I am considering getting a new D5 and have a question for those that have had them for a while.
I have had land rovers for the past 25 years and have a 2010 RR sport at the moment.
My question is, l notice that low ratio and rear diff lock is now an option and the model l am considering only has a high ratio gear box. How off road capable are they without those two included in the running gear.I am in Australia, l won't be crossing the Simpson desert but still want to know if l need to it will get me out of a bit of trouble. Or should l cough up the sizable extra to have the rear diff lock and low ratio.
We won't be doing any rock climbing etc, but some of our out back tracks can be pretty rugged.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can pass on
Cheers Craig
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- DieselRanger
- Member Since: 12 Oct 2017
- Location: God's Country, Colorado
- Posts: 792
I have a 2017 without a rear diff lock, but with the low range transfer case. I live in Colorado and have off-roaded all over the Rocky Mountains in everything from rock gardens to mud and ruts. I have never needed the rear diff loc, but the low range transfer case is essential.
If you're towing on slick ground like wet grass, the rear diff lock might help make it easier to get moving, but generally the electronic locking behavior and the terrain response system on mine have caused many a rock rash on the chins of jeep and Toyota owners as I cruise over obstacles they felt they needed all of their mechanical advantage to clear.
I say buy with confidence - Terrain Response 2 comes with the low range transfer case, has since 2017 at least here in the US.
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- DG
- Member Since: 27 Apr 2016
- Location: Surrey
- Posts: 444
I've had 2 D5's one with Hi\Lo and now just Hi. I have a reasonable amount of off road experience from the days of D3, D4 and tbh were we always in low off road ..no. It did have its place though.
IMO If you tow a trailer or you live \frequently drive in a region with steep, technical terrain, the twin speed option provides the grunt that marries seamlessly with the traction control.
Otherwise, for 95% of use including lighter "off-road" scenarios—snowy roads, muddy fields, or tracks—the traction control systems in the single-speed box are more than capable of finding you reassuring grip and momentum.
23 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021 > D5 HSE Dynamic D350 2025
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- Craig
- Member Since: 15 Jan 2026
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 4
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Hi Diesel Ranger
Thanks for taking the time to tell me about your experience with your D5 without the rear diff lock.
From the description you gave of the sort of terrain your covering it sounds like it's more than capable of tackling anything l will be encountering .
Thanks for passing on your experience, it's just the type of advice l was looking for from someone who has had a D5 for a while.
With the way Land Rover sells their vehicles in Australia I'm not sure l can option low range separately but l will ask the question.
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- Craig
- Member Since: 15 Jan 2026
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 4
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Hi DC
Thanks for your reply with your experience with your two D5's and previous models , your experience and first hand knowledge is just the thing l was looking for with regards to the single Hi range only models.
We will be towing a caravan from A to B and then heading out onto smaller tracks but it's pretty flat in outback Australia . I will still ask about the low range and see if it's available but have more confidence now hearing about other drivers experiences
Thanks again
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- discus
- Member Since: 22 Aug 2019
- Location: North
- Posts: 184
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Crossing any kind of rough or uneven ground is much more controlled and easy with low ratio, likewise reversing a trailer/boat.
I think if you are contemplating spending so much for a new vehicle it is well worth spending the little extra for the additional flexibility of the off road package, than risk regretting not having it later.
I was actually really surprised when they made low ratio an option, I think it is an important part of the Discovery DNA! It's a little annoying that you have to pay for the active diff as well to get the low ratio.
2024 Discovery Metropolitan D300 - Offroad & Towing Packs - Varesine Blue
2019 Discovery HSE SDV6
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- DG
- Member Since: 27 Apr 2016
- Location: Surrey
- Posts: 444
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discus wrote:
I was actually really surprised when they made low ratio an option,
because weight in respect of emissions is everything ..so saving 35-40kgs for the 95% that don't do heavy offroad is meaningful. I'm surprised how many Defenders aren't specced with hi\lo tbh
23 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021 > D5 HSE Dynamic D350 2025
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- Craig
- Member Since: 15 Jan 2026
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 4
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Hi Discus
Thanks for the feed back , l understand exactly what you're saying on both counts , but l guess the Defender has taken the spot that the Disco filled previously being a rugged 4x4 with more interior comfort.
The Defenders interior is to utilitarian for my wife's comfort, so that leaves the Disco ,we are looking at the base model and optioning what we want , the off road pack is an extra $6.5K Aus , 3.5K UK pounds and $4.5K US which represent 5% of the purchase price.
So not small change if the tech can do what myself and as DG said 95% of what we are likely to do.
I'm a bit torn as which way to go, l wish it was included as standard so l didn't have to make the choice.
I'd be happy with just low range without the rear locker.
But without both would it be considered a soft off roader ?
I guess LR is saying 80% (a guess) of new Discovery drivers don't use low range or rear locker so why include it and if you want it you can option it at your cost or get a Defender.
I didn't realise that some Defenders don't have low range either.
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