LAND ROVER says it has improved the quality of the latest incarnation of its ubiquitous Discovery, which will come as a welcome relief to potential buyers.
The previous model was hugely popular, despite being the subject of more recalls than just about any other vehicle on or off the road. Owners complained of trim, bodywork and mechanical problems, yet the vehicle continued to tempt buyers regardless.
Last year 11,000 people took the plunge, helping the Disco to stay at the top of the sales charts, out-selling rivals such as BMW's X5 and the Mercedes M-Class by two to one.
However, competition is hotting up, and in order to maintain its lead the Land Rover became increasingly in need of freshening up.
This is the best way to describe the revamped version that is now on sale, because it is certainly not a new vehicle.
The Discovery is something of an institution, and Land Rover is keen not to kill the golden goose. Instead, the Disco got some of the all-singing, all-dancing bells and whistles from the recently-revamped Range Rover.
They even look similar, with fancy headlamp clusters, a new grille and bumper, and the same treatment at the rear.
Beneath the skin there are changes to the suspension, brakes and body mountings. The result is that the vehicle adopts better manners on tarmac, with firmer handling, more precise steering, and less brake pressure required.
The most popular version of the Discovery by a huge margin is the Td5, which costs from £21,995 in five-seater form.
The V8 version with ES trim costs £34,490. Specification enhancements include the addition of rear parking distance sensors to ES versions, and their availability as a £250 option on the GS and XS versions.
The price of the S model stays the same, but it gains new style alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, front fog lamps and headlamp power wash.
It was during Land Rover's brief ownership by BMW that the dramatic improvements in quality were dictated, and these have been pursued under Ford's subsequent and present ownership. The company says that although the Discovery may look like a clone of its predecessor, there are actually 700 changes, representing an investment of £24 million.
As a competent four wheel drive vehicle it is certainly a class act, although it has shortcomings.
The interior packaging is not the best, with only average rear leg room, and the combination of diesel and automatic means working pretty hard to extract decent performance.
The model that Land Rover chose to send me was the seven-seat TD5 ES automatic, which weighs in at almost £34,500.
Similar money buys the all-new Volvo XC90 D5 SE automatic, which is an even more tempting proposition, unless you simply must have those extra pair of fold-away rearmost seats.
FAST FACTS
Land Rover Discovery Td5 auto
Price: £34,500
Mechanical: 136bhp, 2495cc 5cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via automatic gearbox
Max speed: 95mph
0-60mph: 17.5secs
Combined mpg: 28
Insurance group: 14
CO2 emissions: 262g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles; 12yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint