1994-1998 Land Rover Discovery Full Review

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Land Rover Discovery. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Land Rover Discovery.

1994-1998 Land Rover Discovery Review

Land Rover expanded its sport-utility vehicle lineup in the spring of 1994, adding a new Discovery model to the existing Defender 90 and Range Rover. The new four-door wagon from the British Range Rover firm used a 182-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 engine. Permanently engaged 4-wheel drive was standard, with a 2-speed transfer case and either a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. In standard form, a Discovery seated five, but twin center-facing rear seats were optional. Standard equipment included dual airbags and antilock all-disc brakes.

Year to Year Changes

1995 Land Rover Discovery: Side impact beams were installed on both front and rear doors for 1995.

1996 Land Rover Discovery: For 1996, three models went on sale: SD, SE, and SE7, the latter with center-facing rear seats for 7-passenger capacity. The SD had a standard 5-speed manual transmission, with a new 4-speed automatic unit optional. A new 2-speed transfer case debuted during the 1996 model year; claimed to be quieter than its predecessor.

1997 Land Rover Discovery: All three models got a burled-walnut dashboard. The SE and SE7 also gained a wood-trimmed center console and gearshift handle.

1998 Land Rover Discovery: Only two trim levels were offered for '98: LE and LSE. Other changes were minimal. Though styling stayed the same, Discovery was redesigned for '99.

1994-1998 Land Rover Discovery Road Test

Pros	Cons

Antilock brakes	Fuel economy

Ride	Noise

	Entry/exit

	Price

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Acceleration is fairly lively in a Discovery, but no quicker than the 6-cylinder Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer. Gas mileage is nothing to brag about. We averaged just 13 mpg in a blend of expressway and suburban driving. Expect plenty of road noise and mechanical sounds, with constant gear whining. The Discovery's firm suspension manages to absorb most bumps smartly and does a good job of reducing body lean. Even so, it leans more in turns than a Grand Cherokee or Explorer, and the steering demands too much muscle at low speeds. Tall ground clearance is an advantage when off-road, but a hindrance to climbing aboard or exiting, and you tend to drive with your shoulder shoved against the door. Adults will feel comfortable in Discovery's first two rows of seats, but the jump seats are best left to children. Gauges are easy to see and well-lit at night. Cargo space is abundant. As for assembly quality, our test vehicles have felt rock-solid.

Value for the Money
Range Rover/Land Rover is perceived to be a luxury vehicle by some people, but that's definitely not the case with a Discovery. Interiors are surprisingly basic, unless the vehicle is fitted with leather upholstery. Before spending a wad of money on this vehicle, look at upscale versions of the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Land Rover Discovery	Rating

Performance	4

Fuel Economy	2

Ride Quality	6

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	5

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	5

Cargo Capacity	7

Value within Class	2

Total:	44

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1994-1998 Land Rover Discovery Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Climate control: The electrical connector for the rear defroster can short to the center high-mount stoplamp (CHMSL) and blow a fuse. When this happens, the transmission cannot be shifted out of park. (All)

Doors: The sound-insulation pads in the doors can shift and plug the water drain holes which could lead to rust through. (All)

Hard starting: Starting difficulty in cold weather has been traced to oil that is too thick and a computer PROM with the wrong calibration. (1994-95)

Sunroof/moonroof: The sunroof may leak and water may drip from the latch or motor or front edge. (1994-96)

Transaxle leak: The front-axle stub seals and the rear-axle hub seals tend to leak. (1994-96)

Vehicle shake: The vehicle may vibrate when accelerating, especially between 30-40 mph due to a bad harmonic balancer or engine mount. (1994-95)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$1,390

Alternator	$635

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$3,000

Brakes	$390

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$1,210

Constant Velocity Joints	$235

Exhaust System	$440

Radiator	$820

Shocks and/or Struts	$680

Timing Chain or Belt	$840

NHTSA Recall History

1994-97: Stress crack can develop in some plastic fuel tanks; can ultimately result in signs of fuel from underside of vehicle while filling (or especially, overfilling) the tank.

1994-97: Stress cracks may develop in some vehicles' plastic fuel tanks, resulting in fuel leakage. Dealers will inspect and replace affected parts.

1994-98: Chafing of cruise-control wire against steering-wheel coupler can cause insulation to fail; electrical grounding could then cause driver's airbag to deploy.

1995: Wrong-sized driveshaft nuts on some vehicles can loosen, ultimately causing one or both driveshafts to disconnect.

1995-96: Right front door may not latch fully, causing door to "bounce" back off seals; could open while vehicle is moving.

1994-1998 Land Rover Discovery Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1994
Discovery	$2,800-3,400	$2,100-2,600	$600-700

1995
Discovery	$3,200-3,800	$2,500-3,000	$800-1,000

1996
Discovery	$3,700-4,400	$3,000-3,600	$1,100-1,300

1997
Discovery	$4,200-4,900	$3,400-4,000	$1,400-1,700

1998
Discovery	$4,700-5,600	$3,900-4,700	$1,800-2,100

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1994-1998 Land Rover Discovery Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	100.0

Overall Length, in.	178.7

Overall Width, in.	70.6

Overall Height, in.	77.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	4465

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	69.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	23.4

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	37.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	38.5

Rear Head Room, in.	39.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Land Rover's 4.0-liter, overhead-valve V8 engine produced 182 horsepower. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic might be installed in a Discovery. Automatic was standard on the 1996-97 Discovery SE, but optional on other models.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohv V8	4.0 / 241	182	233	5-speed manual: 12/16 4-speed automatic: 12/16	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 12.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1998 Discovery

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: England

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/4-wheel drive

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Also in the 1994-1998 Land Rover Discovery Review:

Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery Road Test

Land Rover Discovery Reliability

Land Rover Discovery Prices

Land Rover Discovery Specs & Safety

Land Rover Discovery Photos

Land Rover Discovery Full Review