Discover space! Room to explore in Land Rover Discovery 4

The Land Rover Discovery 4 might not be too easy on the eyes but it carries a very important feature - room, and lots of it. There's lots of headroom, lots of legroom, lots of cargo space when all the seats are down and its adequate when they are up.

Tucked into all that space are air-conditioning, power windows and locks, a one-push up-and-down driver window and lots more.

Given that it is not the prettiest car, it's worth hunting in a nice colour; also, given enough time to get to know it - just like many things - one will fall in love with this car almost instantly.

Land Rover has built a name in the market, and it comes with the knowledge that you can rely on their vehicles for many years. This idea doesn't get less important with time. Additionally, ATL is trying even harder to attract more love to this car by giving four years' free service and unlimited free diagnostic tests.

Back to the luxury of space. The Discovery 4 has adjustable cup holders and several storage bins for vacations and schlepping to and from the airport.

Longer and wider

It is much longer and wider and more difficult to park than other SUVs. It also seems very tall - a feeling accentuated by that third rear window that runs up into the roof. At the boot, you can lift the glass part open and up to throw light bags in easily - all this time being sheltered from the rain or the scorching sun. But drop the lower section and you will have a flat deck that will support some weight and can also be used as a perfect perch to rest for a moment.

The boot is also deep enough, about the height of a water cooler, when the lower tailgate is folded down.

When you climb aboard, that sense of size hits you again. You are sitting at van-driver height and you really are a queen of your survey. You are high up but the beltline of the car is low compared to your hip point, so you don't feel hemmed in. The shape of the windows is an added point - score many points for the airiness. The windows do not get narrower as they run to the back of the car, so those in the back seats can get a great view out too.

And, if you have a big family, say five kids to carry around regularly, the three back seats and the two pop-up chairs in the boot floor are there to accommodate them. However, just don't expect to pack in all of them and be able to bring luggage along - maybe you can carry small book bags and snack bags.

The vehicle is curve-less, and I am reminded that it is for the lack of these curves why I am able to boast so much about the space afforded to me in it.

The Land Rover Discovery 4 has all the bluff, chunky qualities you would expect from an off-roader - maybe even too masculine for a female to feel comfortable owning this car.

The colour details, light and grilles of this car are not very cute, but because it is a true working vehicle, you can bash about it a bit.

- MS