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- FastLaneJB
- Member Since: 29 May 2021
- Location: Bedfordshire
- Posts: 189
2021 Refresh - Test Drive opinion from someone new to SUV's
Hi all,
Just had a Test Drive of a refresh Discovery 5 with the Pivi Pro system in it today. Thought I'd give my opinion as been lurking for a bit but also have a question or two that maybe current owners might be able to help with.
For reference I've never owned a SUV, only the odd test drive so maybe this is my third time in a car like this. I'm coming from a lifetime of saloon cars with maybe the last 10 years being performance models. I've had a Mercedes C63S, BMW M5 and am currently in a BMW M760 Li. Decided I want to try something completely different but also don't drive as much these days but might do more family trips. So it's probably between a Disco 5 or a BMW X7 but very much leaning to a Disco 5. Considered Tesla also but you can only get the Model 3 vs Model S / X in the UK now so not sure on that, feel maybe one more car powered by devil's juice
Ride Comfort
This one is a big one for me as I'm looking to slow down, the 7 series is a V12 with 610hp but I want a high level of comfort. The Disco delivered here really well actually. It was comfortable and it also controlled it's body lean well. The BMW has different modes so in comfort it's a bit softer still but it'll lean in the bends. In Sport where the Active Roll Stabilisation kicks in it drives really quite flat in the corners but the comfort drops off because of it. Not terrible but you notice it a lot. I think Land Rover have got the balance just right on the Discovery for the type of car it is.
As a separate item but the car had the cooled seats, much better than BMW's ventilated options. I was actually quite cold from LR's and had to turn it down which never happens with BMW's version.
Drive Train
It's clearly not going to match my current car but actually thought the D300 MHEV had more than enough poke. It was very smooth, especially when it came to gear changes as tried the paddles a bit and couldn't even really tell it was shifting gears other than revs and responsiveness. More than good enough in my opinion.
Cabin Noise
I thought my BMW was very quiet but actually I think the Disco 5 has it licked, you cannot really hear the traffic around you at all. I do find a nice quiet cabin very relaxing so also important to be reasonable in this area.
Infotainment
Land Rovers previous systems have been so bad in my opinion that I've never considered owning one. However I think they've really knocked it out of the park with Pivi Pro. Not sure you could say it's better than BMW's iDrive but it would be nice to have a change. I'd put it up towards equivalent level so LR can compete with the German's now for sure here.
Other little thoughts and questions
Car had the Meridian Sound System but not the Surround one. That was a little disappointing when it comes to bass. I'd go for the top Surround options but would be nice if someone could tell me it sounds quite a bit better?
The intelligent seat option, rear seats still had plastic wrapped around them as the car only had 8 miles on it so first to test drive it. I think impacting it's ability to go up properly or not. Also I think stopped the heat rest dropping on one side as it covered those so then hit the front on trying to go down. Is this reasonably reliable normally? Not that I'd be changing the seat layout that often.
Car had 21 inch wheels so middle of the road option. Much change in ride comfort from 22's or dropping down to 20's? I'm not too worried about having 20's on an SUV so might just go that route.
Not worried about fuel costs but on a long run what sort of range do you get out of the 85 litre tank? I might be able to give up my parking spot at the local Shell garage from my V12 being parked there all the time
Aware of course a risk around reliability but as long as the dealer support is good (Which I won't know until it's too late of course) I can hopefully deal with that. Not looking to keep it more than 3 - 4 years where it'll then no doubt be onto something electric.
Anyway just wanted to give an opinion from someone not used to these types of cars. I was impressed and might well order one soonish. Hard to know when it'll come but probably wanting it around Xmas time so normally wouldn't be looking quite yet but I think delivery times are just going to push out and out. -
- Darras
- Member Since: 16 May 2020
- Location: Newcastle
- Posts: 764
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- FastLaneJB
- Member Since: 29 May 2021
- Location: Bedfordshire
- Posts: 189
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- Darras
- Member Since: 16 May 2020
- Location: Newcastle
- Posts: 764
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Fair enough we are all different.
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- Equilibrium
- Member Since: 26 Feb 2019
- Location: Bristol
- Posts: 754
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- FastLaneJB
- Member Since: 29 May 2021
- Location: Bedfordshire
- Posts: 189
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Hi Equilibrium, appreciate the detailed reply.
Sounds like we do have similar car history as I've tended to have mostly BMW's probably because the deals they offer seem to be a step above the others. I mean on paper the BMW X7 is the more expensive car but on a finance deal it's neck and neck with a Discovery 5.
I don't need the 7 seats for instance but I can see a few occasions where it might be useful. Parents come over, want to go for a pub lunch somewhere and you end up taking 2 cars but actually could do it with one if you have 7 seats. Both my kids are teenagers and either 6 foot or not far off now so a 5 + 2 wouldn't solve that, only a full 7 seater. I personally felt the Disco was a little bigger in the rear row than the X7, my 19 year old thought the X7 was a bit bigger but spitting hairs here.
To me the BMW interior on the X7 is pretty much the same as my 7 series. All I feel I'd be getting from that is the same car but in SUV form. Doesn't mean it's not a great car but a desire for some variety is strong.
Some advantages I can think of in the X7:
- Wireless Apple Carplay
Apple Carkey
Bigger boot space with 7 seats up
Bit longer but it has rear wheel steering
Heated and cooled cupholders (Thought reading up on this it isn't that good)
TV's in the rear (Kids don't tend to use them though)
Fully electric seats (Think the Disco's can get stuck because manual slide forwards and backwards)
Where as I see these as advantages of the Disco:
- Can remotely start and heat / cool the car
Proper cooled seats, not BMW's ventilated which are barely better than having nothing
Coolbox in the centre arm rest
It's something far different from what I've had
Pivo Pro would be a nice change from iDrive
Better in a muddy puddle
Good to hear the Surround sound system is much better as the standard one wasn't up to much really which was the only major negative we had on the car to be fair. Still I don't need one just yet but might order in the next month or two. I'll still want to try the X7 just to know for sure of course. -
- Equilibrium
- Member Since: 26 Feb 2019
- Location: Bristol
- Posts: 754
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- FastLaneJB
- Member Since: 29 May 2021
- Location: Bedfordshire
- Posts: 189
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Space I guess is important though I think as 98 - 99% of the time the rear row would be down can just push the middle row to it’s back most setting. So rarely might this be an issue.
We did climb in the back and it seemed OK. I also tried my 6 foot plus son in the third row and me in the middle with my seat in my drivers position so 3 x 6 footers one behind the other. Second row had my knees about touching the drivers seat as moved forwards a bit to allow more room in third row. Third row my son couldn’t have his legs straight but wasn’t too pushed out either. Not sure it would be great for a long trip but short trips would work.
I’ve TV’s in the back of my M760Li as that model pretty much has all the 7 series options as standard but they pretty much never use them. So not worried about going without. Also not touch screen on those but BMW’s are touch screen rear entertainment these days.
Yes I did expect the driving aids could be better on the X7. Believe it’s got infrared eye monitoring so in a jam you can take your hands off a wheel and let the car handle it for you. Mine can do that minus I have to touch the wheel on and off but it’s quite nice. Not that often I’ve used it though.
I think you’ve put your finger on it though. There’s something of a charm about the Land Rover and ultimately a change from yet another BMW is a plus point in my books.
I’ve booked myself a half day Land Rover Experience next week to try one in its element at Solihull. As you say not going to use it that way but nice to know it could
Also got my 19 year booked as a second driver so I’ll let you know what one is like on its roof as well
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