To truly put a car through its paces, you can’t just drive it around Sandton for a week. No, you need to live with it, push it, and take it on an adventure. That’s exactly what we did with the 2025 Land Rover Discovery D350. We packed our bags and embarked on the ultimate road trip, all the way from Johannesburg down to Cape Town, and then cruising along the coast to the beautiful town of Knysna. After covering well over 3,000 kilometers, I’m here to tell you everything you need to know.

The Long Haul: Power and Poise on the N1

The first leg of our journey was the big one: the long, straight stretch from Joburg to Cape Town. This is where a car can either become your best friend or your worst enemy, and let me tell you, the Discovery is the best friend you could ask for. That 3.0-litre inline-6 diesel engine is an absolute beast. With 700 Nm of torque on tap, overtaking the long lines of trucks on the N1 was completely effortless. A gentle squeeze of the throttle and we were gone. This car is not lazy at all.

But the real star of the show on a trip like this is the comfort. The standard air suspension just soaks up the road, making the nearly 1,400-kilometre drive feel incredibly smooth. The seats are unbelievably comfortable, and with those soft headrests for everyone, we arrived in Cape Town feeling fresh and ready to explore.

Coastal Cruising: Your Luxurious Home on Wheels

After a few days in the Mother City, we pointed the Discovery towards the Garden Route. This is where the car’s brilliant handling came to life. For a big seven-seater, it handles the winding coastal roads beautifully, with surprisingly little body roll. The high driving position gives you a proper bird’s-eye view, which was perfect for soaking in those incredible ocean vistas. With the Meridian sound system providing the perfect road trip playlist, it was pure driving bliss.

This is also where the interior proved it’s more than just a pretty space. It’s your home on wheels. We had snacks in the cubby compartments, valuables tucked away in the clever hidden storage bin, and the built-in fridge in the center console? My friends, that is a complete game-changer! Pulling out an ice-cold drink while cruising past Wilderness is a level of road trip luxury, I think every family deserves.

Watch our 2025 Land Rover Discovery D350 Review on YouTube below

Tech That Makes the Journey a Breeze

Throughout our entire 3,000-kilometre adventure, the tech in the Discovery worked flawlessly. The large Pivi Pro infotainment screen made navigation a dream, and the bright heads-up display meant my eyes stayed on the beautiful road ahead. It’s all so intuitive and just works, which is exactly what you want when you’re covering this much ground.

The Final Verdict: The Perfect Discovery for a South African Adventure?

So, after living with this car across three provinces and over thousands of kilometers, what’s the final verdict? The 2025 Land Rover Discovery D350 isn’t just a great family SUV: it’s the perfect family adventure machine. It has the space, the comfort, the tech, and the power to take you and your loved ones anywhere in this beautiful country in absolute style.

We averaged about 9.2 liters per 100 km on our trip, which for a massive SUV loaded with gear and our luggage, is honestly what you’d expect. With prices starting around the R2 million mark, it’s a premium car with a premium price tag. But after this incredible journey, I can tell you it’s worth every cent for the memories you’ll create. It’s a beautiful car and, without a doubt, the ultimate road trip companion.

As a competitive all-rounder, the Land Rover Discovery starts at a significantly lower price than its core German competitors. Even when you move up to a higher-specification model like the Dynamic HSE (approx. R2,137,000) to match the features of the base BMW X7, it remains competitively priced. Its key advantage is that Land Rover’s comprehensive off-road technology and air suspension are standard, whereas rivals often require additional packages for similar capability.

New D350 Diesel Engine

A highlight of the updated Discovery is the introduction of a new 3.0-liter, six-cylinder diesel engine, dubbed the D350. Delivering 257kW of power and 700Nm of torque, it represents a significant upgrade over the previous D300. The D350 is good to propel the Discovery from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, making it noticeably quicker than its predecessor.

Limited Edition 35th Anniversary Model

To commemorate this milestone, Land Rover has introduced a limited-edition 35th Anniversary model. Based on the Metropolitan Edition, this special version features unique “XXXV” badging and treadplates, along with distinctive exterior and interior enhancements. These include Bright Atlas detailing, 22-inch alloy wheels, black brake calipers, and a range of luxury features such as a head-up display and heated steering wheel.

Enhanced Features Across the Range

Beyond the special edition, the entire Discovery range benefits from upgrades. All models now come standard with powered adjustable seats with memory function and an electrically adjustable steering column.

Unwavering Capability

The Discovery’s reputation for off-road prowess remains intact, with features like Terrain Response 2, All Terrain Progress Control, and a maximum wading depth of 900mm. Its towing capacity of 3,500kg and Advanced Tow Assist system further solidify its position as a capable and versatile family SUV.

The 2024 Discovery is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, catering to diverse customer preferences. With its blend of luxury, practicality, and off-road ability, the Discovery continues to be a strong contender in the premium SUV segment.

The Discovery 35th Anniversary Edition is priced from R1,808,400 and is now available for order. Land Rover South Africa is yet to confirm when models will touch down in Mzansi.

Not only that, it also goes above and beyond when it comes to tackling off-road terrain that would have most other sport-utility vehicles in its class breaking out the maps to try to find a paved road around.

That the Discovery Landmark Edition is so effective on road and off, without compromising daily driving comfort, is an impressive accomplishment, and also a big part of what differentiates Land Rover from its rivals Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. While the Discovery’s capabilities are well proved off road, we kept the Landmark on road for our test period, driving through famous landmarks in the Sandton area and surrounds.

Let’s take a look at our favourite things you need to know about keeping the Land Rover Discovery Landmark on-road.

First Impressions Count

When creating the Discovery Landmark Edition, engineers at Land Rover took the well-appointed SE as a starting point, then added the Dynamic Pack, which includes a more purposeful front bumper design and Narvik Black mesh grille and fender vents. Those with a discerning eye will appreciate the Narvik Black nameplate scripting on the bonnet and tailgate that is also joined by unique Landmark badging on the tailgate.

The exterior is also marked out by a fixed panoramic roof, front fog lights and signature tail lights, while privacy glass and 20-inch Gloss Black wheels complete the modern and contemporary look perfect for city cruising.

Step Inside

Jump inside the Discovery Landmark and the first thing you notice is the ultra plus interior, which is available with a choice of three premium Windsor leather colourways with contrast stitching. A Satin Brushed Aluminium centre console and titanium mesh finishers also set it apart from the rest of the Discovery line, with the 380W Meridian Sound System.

For the techies at heart, there’s Android Auto and Apple Carplay as standard.

The Discovery Landmark Edition is available exclusively with a 190kW/600Nm 3.0-litre TD6 engine paired with 8-speed automatic transmission. 

It’s not the only clever camera system, either. The ClearSight Rear View mirror took some getting used to, beaming video from the rear of the car to the switchable rear-view mirror at the top of the windshield. At first it seems like you’re looking at an HDR impressionist painting of the scene behind your vehicle, but in the end we preferred it to the traditional rear view mirror experience.

Elsewhere, the car’s interfaces have been pared-down and streamlined, leaving them intuitive to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present, along with wireless charging, USB ports for all three rows, 4G WiFi Hotspot, and AI smart settings for custom preferences. Your phone can also double as an InControl Remote, through the app, to monitor most aspects of the car from afar.

Although we didn’t get to play with it, Land Rover’s Activity Key gets an honourable mention, a secure RFID fob for around your wrist that’s waterproof up to 50 meters. A deactivated traditional key can remain inside the locked car while you go and enjoy a run or hike; we reckon it will definitely be a crowd pleaser among the active and athletic types. When you return, all you have to do is bring the wristband close to a small circular insignia on the back windshield and, voila, the doors unlock.

See the rest of our Land Rover Discovery Sport adventure here.

See more on our adventure here.

Heritage may be an overused word these days, but you recognize it when you see it.

Most visitors to this area will spend their time touring the panorama route and enjoying tapas, or perhaps admiring the breath-taking Blyde Canyon. Step off the beaten track, though, and it’s still capable of surprising. You could say the same about the new 2020 Discovery Sport.

Meet the 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Discovery clan of cars sits squarely in the middle of the Land Rover’s family tree. On one end you have the Range Rover, which promises refinement with its off-road prowess, while on the other end the just-launched Defender epitomizes extreme durability. Somewhere in the middle, the new Discovery Sport tries to combine the best of both worlds in a compact premium SUV.

The Discovery is no stranger to the marketplace, being present in Land Rover’s line-up for the last thirty years. But while the 2020 Discovery Sport isn’t exactly brand new, this freshly minted iteration of the Discovery series has undergone an extensive mid-life refresh – the substantial exterior and interior updates must not be underestimated. Throw in new engines and loads of great tech to the mix, and there you have the “New” in the title.

What makes the 2020 Discovery Sport different?

Right, the New Discovery Sport features a “Premium Transverse Architecture” mixing High Strength Steel (HSS) with a host of other materials for a car body that’s a quoted 10-percent stiffer. That translates into a more stable and quiet ride. The all-new Ingenium engine is available as a mild-hybrid, too, to assist the combustion engine in achieving lower fuel consumption. Land Rover says you could see petrol savings of up to 6%.

The two options for now, then, are the 2020 Discovery Sport S, and the sportier-Sport, R-Dynamic version. Both use the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine with a 9-speed automatic as their starting point, with Land Rover’s second-generation All-Wheel Drive system. Our test model is the diesel powered R-Dynamic variant.

Land Rover takes performance on and off the road seriously. So, it’s worth noting some more titbits about the suspension and architecture. Active Drive Dynamics, for example, continuously monitor surface and terrain conditions and adjust the SUV’s settings for optimum performance.

Torque, meanwhile, is intelligently distributed between the front axle and each of the rear wheels. The new Discovery Sport can also switch between AWD and 2WD mode in under 400 milliseconds, for greater efficiency. This, combined with a MacPherson front suspension, makes for a comfortable driving experience.

Getting down and dirty

We started our drive in the city and made our way out to the N12 and later joined the N4 at eMalahleni before settling for the Panorama route on small and twisty town streets. The 9-speed can get a little agitated when searching for the right gear, but once through the travails of city traffic, the Discovery Sport starts to relax and show off its full potential out on the open road.

Hitting the highway means time to step on the pedal. The car does 0-100 km/h in about nine seconds, and while it doesn’t necessarily feel like an aggressive speed demon, it has plenty of power and hummed along smoothly in a manner worthy of a SZA playlist. The greater Mpumalanga isn’t short on demanding curves, but the Discovery Sport proved sure-footed, with communication of grip and balance coming through strong through the steering. Speaking of which, an accurate wheel with little play proved welcome when there’s a wall of rock on one side, oncoming cars, and then a precipitous cliff on the other.

Fun times off-road

You’ll be unsurprised to hear that we included an off-road section during our trip, not by intent, but only because our overnight stays featured this. Later during our weekend away, and deep into the heart of the Klein Drakensberg, the new Discovery Sport ploughed over rough dirt roads like child’s play. Wending our way over rocks, rock slabs, and through thick brush and forest, the steep uphill and downhill sections actually did manage to get our hearts pounding – with gradients that were 23-percent and higher – an apropos reminder of where Land Rover pushes the envelope and excels.

Fewer buttons on the more minimalist main control panel and Touch Pro screen make it easy to adjust the Terrain Response system. All it took was a slight turn of the dial from “Snow and Sand” to “Auto”, and the SUV could power over and around challenging ground without complaint.

The best was saved for last when, at the crest of a hair-raising downhill so steep I hesitated to proceed, the “Hill Descent” system engaged. Effectively cruise control for off-roading, I set a slow speed with the Forward Progress Controls on the steering wheel, and settled back as the Discovery Sport proceeded down in a safe and controlled manner.

Smooth ride, guaranteed

So, what’s it like to ride inside over all these bumps and humps? The cabin was quiet and the seats have a healthy degree of padding. We are stickler for the finer things, so our seats were crafted with handsome Windsor leather in the R-Dynamic version.

Ample leg room up front, and plenty of spots to stow your gear and keep it neatly organized, leave the cabin practical as well as handsome. There’s 1,794 litres of space, 24 seating combinations, and the ability to fit up to 7 people if your model allows. The row behind the driver is unexpectedly comfortable, with independent temperature controls and well-placed ventilation.

How is the 2020 Discovery Sport, really?

The new 2020 Discovery Sport may be a little less refined that the elegant Evoque, and slightly less rugged than the all-new Defender, but with a price tag that starts at R849 100 for a base model it’s a worthy way to land yourself a spot in the Land Rover club.

The brand’s goal of a premium compact SUV that’s equally good at city duty and back country excursions was an ambitious one. Overall, however, the new 2020 Defender clocks in at very decent value, given the pedigree of the brand, the materials and ride quality, its hauling and seating options – man oh man, and of course the technology and off-roading capabilities.

In short, the 2020 Discovery Sport sits in a versatile middle-ground, promising the ability to go just about anywhere while still delivering welcome degrees of refinement and luxury. Now we’re just eager to see a full electric plug-in Discovery Sport join the range. Land Rover, we’re ready.

Follow our #NeverStopDiscovering roadtrip on social media here

Tshegofatso Harmonix Phiri contributed his legendary photography work to this feature.

That includes new front and rear bumpers, along with a new grille. The LED lights have changed, too, though Discovery mainstays like the clamshell hood, rising beltline, and tapered roof are present and correct.

Inside there’s what Land Rover describes as “5+2” seating. In short, the 2020 Discovery Sport is really intended as a two-row SUV – with the second row having a 40/20/40 split along with slide functionality – while two further seats can be folded out of the boot. As well as leather, there’s also now a Luxtex fabric option that’s made from recycled polyester microfiber.

Storage nooks have been increased and enlarged, with new cup holders and more for third-row passengers. Six USB ports and three 12-volt outlets are spread around the cabin, and there’s optional wireless charging for the front row. That’s a first for the Land Rover brand, as is the fact that the Discovery Sport can also now be fitted with massage seats for the driver and front passenger.

The drive-train, meanwhile, is available in Base and S trim levels, or sportier R-Dynamic variants in S, SE and HSE trim which feature Satin Dark Grey alloy wheels, unique front and rear bumpers and Shadow Atlas script on the bonnet and tailgate. Inside, Ebony seats with contrast stitching, black gearshift paddles and unique treadplates provide an edgier character.

The new 2020 Evoque also donates its smart rear view mirror, which uses a rear-facing camera to show a perspective uninterrupted by rear passengers. ClearSight Ground View, meanwhile, gives a virtual view “through” the hood onto the dashboard touchscreen, handy for off-road manoeuvring and safely avoiding curbs in parking lots.

As you’d expect, despite the “Sport” in the name, this is still a Discovery and off-roading is a priority. That means 600mm of wading depth ability, All-wheel drive, and a second-generation Active Driveline system, which are standard with the 2020 Discovery Sport P300. Terrain Response 2 is available, too, and there’s up to 2500kg of towing support.

Adaptive Cruise Control with sterling assistance, lane keeping assistance, and other active safety tech is available. Other options include R-Dynamic trim packages, 21-inch wheels, and a Black Exterior Pack; you can also add the Land Rover Activity Key, a waterproof wristband that allows for easier access while doing sports and other activities. The 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment system is now standard, and can be had with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Discovery Sport is priced from R749 500.

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery breaks with the past by abandoning its bakkie-like platform for a more modern design, while simultaneously getting back in touch with its heritage by reviving the long-dormant – in Mzansi, at least – Discovery name.

For those not intimately familiar with the vagaries of vehicle names, the Discovery was originally introduced at the end of the 1980s, but it formally abandoned that moniker in 2004 when it was rebranded the ‘LR3.’ The new Discovery replaces last year’s LR4, a stout, and popular sport-utility option that had grown somewhat stale in the face of newer rivals from BMW, Audi, et al jousting for position in the seven-passenger game. It also trades in the rectilinear look of the older model with a new, jelly-bean design that offers more detail and fits in better with the rest of the Land Rover line-up.

Of course, what the Land Rover Discovery has that very few – read, none – of its competitors can claim is legitimate off-road capability in keeping with the company’s long-standing reputation for all-terrain prowess.

Only a small percentage of buyers will ever put the Discovery’s 4×4 chops to the test, but to prove that the redesign hadn’t softened the SUV’s claws Land Rover took me to the red sand desert Limpopo to fully flex its muscles. Our caravan of Discovery’s stretched from Johannesburg, Centurion, all the way to the outskirts of Polokwane, and along the way we would dip into deep, sandy trails, crawl up sheer rock faces, and trundle down two-lane highways, taking in the regions startling natural beauty while never out of reach of the hot, persistent winter sun.

Ditching a ladder frame for unibody construction is old-hat at this point, with the Discovery following in the footsteps of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport before it in making this trade. The immediate payoff is obvious: an aluminum-intensive design sees the SUV shed nearly 430kg from its platform, which translates not only into a smoother and more controlled ride, but also improved fuel efficiency and better acceleration. That’s despite the decision to retain the previous-generation truck’s supercharged 3.0-liter V6.

With its 254kW and 450Nm of torque unaltered, the six-cylinder nevertheless slices more than a half second from its predecessor’s 0-100km/h sprint. That now checks in at 6.9 seconds. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also carried over, and buyers can choose between two permanent four-wheel drive systems, one of which features low-range gearing.

Each of the Land Rover Discovery models I had the chance to drive during our two-day sojourn featured the low-range option, even those vehicles sporting the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 under the hood. Giving up nearly 75kW as compared to the petrol unit, but boosting torque to 600Nm, the diesel is ideal for everyday driving (if lacking the highway punch found with certain German SUVs). It’s also significantly less thirsty.

Quiet at speed, and remarkably composed for its size, the Discovery proved itself to be a competent hauler on the highway, albeit one that didn’t take too well to twistier stretches of road. That’s all well and good, because there’s nothing particularly sporty about this ‘sport’ utility, with Land Rover instead choosing to highlight the vehicle’s roomier cabin and plush personality. There’s 3.8cm of extra wheelbase to play with alongside 14cm of additional length, which has contributed to a third row of seating that is legitimately adult-friendly. It’s also user-friendly: you can configure the Discovery’s various fold-flat configurations by way of buttons mounted at the rear of the cargo area, or via your smart phone prior to entering the vehicle.

The Discovery also introduces a new interpretation of the model’s two-part tailgate design, with a full clamshell hatch concealing a small drop-down shelf that engineers told us can withstand the full weight of a picnicking pair. It’ll also prevent items from falling out the back when you open things up. Interior materials are top notch, and while the gauge cluster lacks the pop and sizzle of the full-TFT designs that are increasingly common in luxury vehicles, the center-mounted touchscreen infotainment system is an improvement over past Land Rover efforts.

The Discovery faced three significant off-road challenges on its way to and from the camp site where we spent the night under the desert’s ever-shifting stars. The first was a rutted dry river bed where the Sand setting on truck’s Terrain Response 2 system automatically adjusted throttle sensitivity, stability and traction control intervention, and transmission shift points to deal with the low-traction surface. Other Terrain Response 2 options include grass, gravel, and snow, mud and ruts, and rock crawl, with the latter adding extra ride height by way of the Discovery’s adjustable air suspension, which can push the truck up nearly three inches to help overcome various obstacles. This was of particular use when tackling more obstinate sections of the rocky boulders that served as our entrance to, and exit from the resort, as well as when fording the constantly-shifting and treacherously deep dunes.

Whereas the LR4 had become somewhat of an anachronism, a throwback to the old school that stayed popular despite its shortcomings, the 2017 Land Rover Discovery has very little to apologise for – and a lack of modernity certainly isn’t on any list of perceived faults. While its revised styling might leave purists cold, it will attract legions more families less interested in evoking the dessert in their driveway and more concerned with its comfy, and spacious confines, and the substantial brand awareness that comes with the Land Rover badge. 

** Launch report by Gugu Masuku