The new Land Rover Discovery will bushwhack a path to your heart - if only it weren't so thirsty, writes Thomas Falkiner

ISN'T this Discovery identical to the one you tested last year?

No. Though the Discovery4 might look similar to its predecessor from a distance, once you get up close you'll notice a whole lot of subtle design tweaks. That chunky exterior has been sexed up considerably and now features LED headlights, a Range Rover-inspired front grille and a sleeker, more efficient set of bumpers - both front and rear. Topped off with killer 19-inch alloy wheels, never before has the Disco packed this much presence.

Bolder on the outside, the interior has been smoothed over for a more premium feel. A classy and comfortable place to spend time in, it's also home to a battery of savvy gadgets including touch-screen satellite navigation, a five-camera park-assist system and Harman/Kardon sound. Unfortunately the latter regularly caused the door cards to rattle annoyingly - definitely not something I'd expect from a car that tickles the million mark.

Something the size of Godzilla must be a pig to drive, yes?

Pitching the scales at nearly three tons you'd expect the Discovery4 to behave like an enraged elephant, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

Disguising its weight with the skill of an ex-KGB spy, the big Disco feels nimble on its feet with none of that overt top-heaviness that tends to plague other king-sized 4x4s. On-road it handles with a surprising crispness and off-road Land Rover's brilliant air suspension system allows the V8HSE to float over bumps and ruts like Aladdin's magic carpet.

I'll admit that manoeuvring within the tighter confines of the urban jungle can be tricky but good all-round visibility and a 360-degree camera system do make life a little easier.

Most impressive, however, is the amount of shove offered by that big V8. Smooth and torquey, it bestows this range-topping Disco with near hot-hatch levels of performance. Do use that throttle with caution though for when provoked it drinks fuel at a rapid rate.

I've heard this vehicle can rival mountain goats off-road. True?

Damn straight. Like a billy on steroids the V8HSE will plough over most rough stuff with ease thanks to its generous ground clearance and aggressive approach angle.

It also features Land Rover's Terrain Response system as standard - with a twirl of a knob, it instantly adjusts things like your suspension, differential and engine mapping settings to suit a particular off-road environment. From mud ruts and sand to snow or gravel, not only does this bit of electro wizardry work a treat but it also helps make the whole business of bundu-bashing a lot less intimidating to the average, untrained driver.

Who should buy one?

Self-made businessmen or doctors with a large family and one of those enormous golf-estate homes that now litter the far northern suburbs of Johannesburg. They think they're of Scottish descent - even though they're not - and consequently spend a considerable amount of time drinking whiskey and fly-fishing up at their Dullstroom timeshare. To be honest, they don't have the slightest inclination of ever venturing off-road but see the Discovery as the ultimate accessory in completing their Lord of the Manor image.

So what's the final word?

If you're looking for a plush and capable 4x4 that's as good off-road as it is on, then the Discovery4 V8HSE checks all the right boxes. It's comfortable, good to drive and has more than enough space to satisfy the transport needs of the average, well-heeled family. Bear in mind, though, that it's insatiable thirst for fuel means that it'll never be cheap to run, let alone maintain. We'd probably opt to swap that big V8 for the slightly more economical and cheaper to buy TDV6 diesel model.

AT A GLANCE: Discovery4 V8HSE

Specs:

• Engine: 5-litre V8 petrol
• Power: 276kW @ 6500rpm
• Torque: 510Nm @ 3500rpm
• 0 to 100km/h: 7.9secs (claimed)
• Top speed: 195km/h (claimed)
• Fuel consumption: 14.1/100km (claimed) 16.8l/100km (achieved)
• CO2: 328g/km
• Price: From R752 995

We like:

• Classy exterior styling
• Extremely comfortable
• Brilliant on and off-road
• We don't:
• Massive thirst
• Rattly doors
• CO2 tax will hit it hard