1995 Land Rover Discovery Base

1995 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4X4 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE, by: BILL RUSS, , SEE ALSO: Land Rover Buyer's Guide, , Land Rover is the venerable name in European sport-utility vehicles. The company has been making sturdy utility machines since 1948, and there is a unique aura about them. Land Rover products have long been the transportation of choice for explorers and sportsmen in the far reaches of the old British Empire. An African wildlife or tropical expedition documentary isn't complete without one. The original Land Rovers were basically trucks and exceedingly practical vehicles for the bush or country. In England and elsewhere around the globe they were used much the same as our pickup trucks and small jeeps. In 1970, recognizing that many of its basic vehicles were being used for go- anywhere passenger vehicles Land Rover built the Range Rover, the first luxury sport-utility. With its leather and walnut interior, the Range Rover County was (and is) just the thing for driving around the grounds at the summer estate, but perhaps a bit pricey for the mass market. As sport-utility sales skyrocketed in the past few years, a new mid-line Land Rover, the Discovery, was created., , The Discovery is a close cousin to the larger Range Rover County (LWB). It has the same type of rugged boxed-steel ladder chassis and long-travel suspension as its more expensive cousin but simpler suspension and drivetrain designs. This and its more modest standard interior appointments allow the Discovery to be sold at a price that is very competitive with other popular sport-utilities., , We drove the newest Discovery rather extensively both on and off-road. It has good road manners in the city and on the highway, and on a rugged off-road course it displays the handling characteristics that made Land Rover synonymous with go-anywhere in safety, style and class., , APPEARANCE: The new Discovery is unmistakably Land Rover. It is a boxy, functional piece of machinery, handsome in a rugged sort of way. Short, high, and with little overhang beyond the large wheels and tires, it looks like a safari vehicle. Many items demonstrate its versatility. Among them are formidable bumpers equipped with pull hooks in front and a tow bar in back, headlight washers, rear washer wiper and defogger, large all-season tires, a high cab with a low step-up, and mud flaps. Its aluminum bodywork has few frills. The extra windows curving into the roof (Alpine windows) and two sunroofs give the rear-seat passengers a good upward view and make the Discovery unique., , COMFORT: While the Discovery is a SUV on the outside, inside it touches on luxury. It can seat from two to seven, there are many storage spaces, cup holders, comfortable and supportive seating, remote locking, plus power windows and mirrors. The rear jump seats are good for kids, and like the leather upholstery, optional. The temperature control system has dual temperature settings for each side, and when the optional rear area is installed all passengers are assured of a comfortable cabin. The four-speaker radio/cassette/CD player has excellent sound. Retained power makes it possible to close windows and sunroof after the ignition is turned off., , SAFETY: The Discovery is as safe as it is rugged. It is fitted with dual front airbags, side door impact beams, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, three-point outboard seat belts, and rear door child locks. Its rugged ladder frame and large bumpers aid in minimizing damage., , ROADABILITY: The Discovery has a short wheelbase, high center of mass, and a soft, very outback- capable suspension. It offers excellent handling when used within its design parameters, but fast cornering is a bad idea. With power steering it is easy to maneuver whether in town on the outback, and its braking system assures safe stopping. It can agilely climb over boulders, ford streams up to 20 inches deep, tour over deeply rutted roads, and even tow a trailer. All-around visibility is fantastic, and th