In the days when utility vehicles were just that, durable and crude workhorses with no "sport" pretensions,
there were Land Rovers. They could follow any trail, no matter how rough, or make their own trail when there
wasn't one. Comfort was a semi-waterproof top. That was sufficient when getting there was a necessity, not fun.
When sport-utility vehicles gained popularity, there were Range Rovers. The early Range Rovers trekking
through the wilds of Beverly Hills in the 1970s helped make four-wheel beasts of burden fashionable.
In 1994, a lower-priced Land Rover Discovery was added to the Range Rover line. Unchanged in basic form since
then, the Discovery has carved a solid niche for itself in the $30,000 class. The Discovery is no poseur. It is
as rugged as it looks, providing off-road capability that few vehicles can match.
The 1998 Discovery is far more refined than it was when it was introduced and the quality is substantially
better than it was just two years ago. This year's LSE model offers some nice trim details and a new choice of colors.
There's no mistaking the Discovery for anything but a Land Rover-even if you miss seeing the lettering on the
hood. It's understated and very British. It stands tall, a boxy design made up of aluminum panels with minimal
concessions to aerodynamic efficiency. It's a design built for function and practicality and that appeals to its
buyers. Discovery buyers say they don't want a cookie-cutter sport-utility-they want something different.
And the Discovery is different. The rear of its roof panel is raised to increase headroom for rear-seat
passengers. Small, distinctive alpine windows wrap around the top edges of the elevated roof to let in light
and increase visibility in the mountains.
Efficiency on the outside is matched by strength underneath. A stout ladder chassis rides on live axles with
coil springs. A proven all-aluminum V8 engine drives all four wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.
The all-wheel-drive system works full time for sure traction in all conditions. When it gets slippery, the center
differential can be locked. When it gets steep, the two-speed transfer case can be shifted into low range.
Two trim levels are offered for 1998, LS and LSE. Both are well-equipped, with heated eight-way power front
seats, leather upholstery, cruise control, dual sunroofs, air conditioning and one-touch down front windows. From
the outside, the LSE is differentiated by its chrome bumpers and body colored grille, bumper end caps and mirrors.
The Discovery is capable of towing 5500 pounds and a nicely designed class III trailer hitch receiver is
integrated into the frame. A HomeLink system opens garage doors and gates or turns on house lighting at the touch
of a button. In the event of an accident, an inertia switch stops fuel flow, unlocks all the doors and turns on the hazard lights.
Four big passenger doors provide easy access to the Discovery interior, though its a bit of a step up to get
inside. Once seated, however, occupants will find the Discovery comfortable, user-friendly and lavishly equipped.
Both models come with firm seats swathed in leather. The high seating position gives drivers a commanding view of
the road and the driver can easily see the front fenders, an important feature when off-roading along the edge of
a bottomless crevasse.
Dual-zone climate controls and separate sunroofs for front and rear seat passengers are standard. Everything
appears to be long-wearing and carefully installed. The window switches are lighted for nighttime convenience, a
feature missing on many sport-utilities, but they are mounted in an angled panel on the center console and sorting
