You can buy a 2.7-litre Discovery, but the twin-turbo 3.0-litre is far superior. The heavyweight Disco ensures that the engine has plenty to do, and you have to be forceful to get it briskly away from a standstill. However, once you're settled at a cruise the engine becomes smooth, quiet and decently lively.

The Disco doesn't defy the laws of physics quite as convincingly as the BMW X5, but it's still brilliantly composed and deceptively quick through bends. On motorways the Disco is hard to fault. Its air suspension soaks up all manner of poor road surfaces, carrying you along in fine style with just the faintest patter noticeable from the rear of the car.

Noise from the turbochargers and ancillaries has been reduced to a mere background hum. Equally, plenty of work has been put in to prevent noise and vibration filtering into the cabin. In fact, were it not for a whoosh of wind noise generated by the bluff windscreen and chunky side mirrors, the Discovery would be as quiet as many top end luxury cars.

As well as being more fuel-efficient than the 2.7-litre engine - the 3.0-litre unit is capable of an average of 30.4mpg –it's also a good deal cleaner, producing 26g/km less CO2 than the 2.7-litre car. However, that means you'll still pay the maximum rate of tax at 35% if you choose a Disco as your company car.

The materials used in the Discovery suggest that attention to detail has been paramount: it feels classy and solid. However, Land Rover's reliability record has been less than illustrious in recent years, and there are still big question marks over how this Disco will fare in the long term.

Stability and traction controls, Hill Descent Control and a whole bank of off-road programmes are standard, along with full-time four-wheel drive. Thieves won't fancy having a go at the Disco, either – it comes with an alarm, immobilizer and deadlocks.

Few cars give you a better view of the road ahead than a Discovery. The driver's seat has lots of adjustment. There are plenty of storage areas, too. The instrumentation is crisp and a neat touchscreen cuts down on the amount switches and buttons.

The Discovery seats seven adults with comparative ease. There's not much boot space with all the seats in use, but the second and third rows fold down to leave a flat floor without the need to remove the headrests. The tailgate is split so that it can serve as a picnic seat or viewing platform.

Base GS cars come with air-conditioning, four electric windows, Bluetooth and keyless entry and start-up. XS models add cruise control, front parking sensors, automatic headlights and wipers, heated leather seats, hard disk satellite-navigation and MP3/USB connectivity. HSE cars get wood and leather trim, electric everything and a thumping Harmon/Kardon stereo.