Disco fever is coming to Saskatchewan this summer. No, I’m not talking about the revival of the Bee Gees, bellbottoms, and other applicable references to the 1970s, I’m talking about the Land Rover Discovery. So what exactly is the connection between our Saskatchewan summers and the “Disco”, a.k.a. the Land Rover Discovery, you ask? Great question.
Well, the Land Rover Discovery has gotten a huge redesign for 2017, keeping the best parts and reinventing the rest. With all of the new features, technology, as well as bells and whistles, the newly made-over Discovery is the perfect vehicle for Saskatchewan summers. Heck, if we didn’t know any better, we’d think that it was designed for Saskatchewan — summer, winter, fall, and spring.
With summer right around the corner, our team was wondering how well the newly designed Land Rover Discovery stacks up to our Saskatchewan summers. So we took the 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE out for the day, putting all of the fancy features and tech to the test with our Saskatchewan summers in mind. Here’s why the Discovery makes Saskatchewan summers rock (in no particular order):
- Off-road 4×4 credentials for gravel roads
While we didn’t get to take this bad boy out for any Saskatchewan style off-roading adventures, it certainly has the off-road cred. The Land Rover Discovery has a 35.4-inch wading depth and 19.7 inches of total wheel articulation which could definitely be a fun ride to take out mudding (in true Saskatchewan style). If it can handle off-roads with ease, it certainly can handle any of our Saskatchewan roads in summer or winter.
- Crossbars for extra storage and hauling
Available as an option on the Discovery, crossbars are always handy for loading up the kayak, canoe, or SUPs (stand up paddle boards) for a fun day out on our Saskatchewan lakes or rivers.
- Class-leading towing for your trailer or boat
The Land Rover Discovery has a maximum trailering capacity of 8,201 lbs (or 3,500 kg) and is more than capable of hauling your boat, trailer, or other towable goodies to the lake or on your next camping trip. The Discovery has Advanced Tow Assist, which automatically steers the SUV when backing up with a trailer, so parking with a trailer is less of a chore.
- Golf club storage
With the standard five-seat configuration, the Land Rover Discovery can hold 1,137 litres and has ample room to store all of your summer accessories. We put a golf bag in the back and there was tons of room to spare.
- Middle and back fold down seats for storage options galore
The seven seats allow for multiple seat folding configurations, depending on the number of passengers and what kind of summer goodies you want to haul. Here are the possible storage specs based on the folding seat capacity:
- 7 seats – 258 litres of storage
- 6 seats – 698 litres of storage
- 5 seats – 1,137 litres of storage
- 4 seats – 1,607 litres of storage
- 3 seats – 1,937 litres of storage
- 2 seats – 2,406 litres of storage
The Land Rover Discovery also has a Seat Fold System that lets you raise or lower the seats in any combo from the touchscreen, buttons in the trunk or, from a smartphone. The Discovery has more than enough room for a road trip with your family or friends and whatever you need to bring.
- Tailgate seat with roof
With the beautiful new Mosaic stadium in Regina, there are several opportunities for a tailgate party before a Roughrider game. You can tailgate in comfort knowing that you are covered from any possible rain with the Discovery’s inner tailgate. Truly adaptable, the Discovery can haul other goods as well: All you have to do is fold the tailgate up and you have a load restraint.
- Seven full seats for road trips
The Land Rover Discovery SE and HSE trim levels come standard as five-seaters, but the seven-seater is an option that is well worth it for those with larger families or lots of road trip companions. Even with seven seats, there was plenty of leg and headroom from the second and third rows that can actually fit full-sized adults.
- Sound system and InControl centre
If you are on a long road trip and need to keep the children or crew entertained, the Land Rover Discovery is an entertainment powerhouse that can keep kids, both big and small, occupied. The Discovery comes with a 10 speaker (plus subwoofer), 380 watt Meridian sound system and InControl Touch Pro system. For a factory sound system, we were pretty impressed with the sound.
The Discovery also has Apple Watch integration, Apple Car Play, Android Auto, 2 LCD Monitors, Bluetooth Connectivity, SiruisXM Satellite Radio, HD Radio Wireless Streaming and Real-Time Traffic Display. Needless to say, you are covered for great road trip tunes, whatever source you want to play them from.
- Tech connectivity to the nines
If we’re being honest, Saskatchewan isn’t exactly known for our interesting views during a drive, especially in the flat prairie parts. The joke is true, you really could see your dog running away for miles in Saskatchewan. Again, if you are on a long road trip with family and friends, everyone can stay connected via the Wi-Fi mobile hotspot internet access. For those with power zapping devices, there are tons of USB ports and 12-volt outlets — plenty of electricity to go around.
- Phone storage in the console
We all know that it can get pretty hot in Saskatchewan in the summertime which makes leaving something in the vehicle a gamble. Especially in direct sunlight, the heat can quickly do damage to any items left in the vehicle. With the handy phone compartment in the console, you can rest assured that your phone and other gadgets are safe from the heat.
- Powered centre cooler box
The Land Rover Discovery has a powered centre cooler box, which can chill four bottles of water. This is awesome If you’ve had a nice long hike or day of golfing and want some ice cold water to quench your thirst. Let’s face it, hauling a cooler around in your vehicle all the time isn’t always a reality.
- Three-zone – climate control
The Land Rover Discovery features not two, but three-zone climate control, so every row can set their own heating and cooling preferences. Now second row and third-row passengers can enjoy air-conditioning and not have to sweat it out. Nothing makes a road trip more enjoyable than zero complaints from the back seat about the temperature in the vehicle.
- Panoramic roof for more natural light and fresh air
Not only does the panoramic roof of the Discovery allow more fresh air into the vehicle, but natural light as well. The glass is tinted so that the vehicle won’t get too warm. The Discovery also has powered interior blinds allow for additional shade. The panoramic roof is perfect for stargazing at night or truly appreciating our living skies during the day.
- Air suspension for easier loading & unloading
The Land Rover Discovery has an adjustable air suspension that lifts and lowers the vehicle to make loading and unloading way easier on your back. We found this feature was not only cool but made things much easier when loading and unloading the vehicle.
- Optional activity key
If you don’t want to carry your keys when going swimming, hiking, hanging out at the beach or canoeing, the Discovery has an optional waterproof Fitbit-like wristband. The Activity Key allows you to lock your key fob inside the vehicle when partaking in your activity of choice. Until you return to the vehicle, your fob is disabled. With a simple tap on the rear hatch with the activity, you can return to your vehicle.
THE VERDICT: WHO THE LAND ROVER DISCOVERY HSE IS BEST FOR
After a long, cold Saskatchewan winter, many of us Saskatchewanians can’t wait to get out and explore all of Saskatchewan’s beauty, making the most out of the warm weather while we can. We truly have the landscape to explore and enjoy our lakes, golf courses, and starry skies. It can get hot here in the summer, so a vehicle with tech features and added comforts can make a road trip that much more enjoyable.
Now, we let the secret out that the Land Rover Discovery rocks for Saskatchewan summers. That’s a vague claim since everyone likes to enjoy their summer doing different activities. So who is the Discovery best suited for? We found that it is the perfect vehicle for the adventurous at heart. Whether hiking, canoeing, off-roading, kayaking, going to the lake or traversing across Saskatchewan, the Land Rover Discovery has everything you could possibly need from storage, space, utility, tech and clever design. The Discovery is truly a go anywhere, do anything type of vehicle that active lifestyles or those that an adventurous spirit will find especially desirable.
Date Posted: June 26, 2017