4x4 winner

The winner
Land Rover Discovery 3.0 TDV6 XS
List price £41,375
Target price £38,866

Buyers might be deserting full-size 4x4s in favour of smaller, more affordable alternatives, but for those who still want the full-flavour version, we reckon there’s only one option – the Land Rover Discovery.

We named the Discovery as our overall Car of the Year back in 2005, but its brilliance remains undimmed. In fact, thanks to a recent comprehensive update, the Discovery is shining brighter than ever. Every area of the car has been improved. Inside and out, there’s a slick new look, although the Disco’s rugged charm hasn’t been diluted.

The brilliant new 3.0-litre diesel engine has given the Discovery a major boost: it’s much stronger than the 2.7 it replaces, yet is 2.7mpg more fuel efficient. Some subtle improvements have made the Discovery even better to drive, too – the ride is as cosseting as ever, but the car is a bit more nimble on twisty roads.

What hasn’t changed is the Discovery’s incredible practicality: thanks to its roomy cabin and versatile seven-seat layout, it’s perfect for big family trips.

It’s the Discovery’s ability to excel at so many different roles that makes it so appealing. As well as offering executive car comfort and MPV practicality, it’s still a real go-anywhere off-roader. Thanks to lots of ground clearance, hill descent control and Land Rover’s clever Terrain Response system, you can be sure that the Discovery will get you where you want to go without a fuss.

At more than £41,000, our chosen XS model isn’t cheap, but many rivals cost more and it comes with everything you’ll need as standard, including leather seats, sat-nav and parking sensors. When you consider that the Discovery is so many great cars in one, it’s a bargain.