Discovery updates for 2026

The manufacturer loves its accessory packs, and a couple are handily included as standard fitment in the D250 and D350.

One is the Cold Climate Pack which consists of a heated windscreen, heated washer jets, headlight power wash, and a heated steering wheel. The D250 and D350 also come with the Towing Pack. Yes, you get the tow ball, natch. But the vehicle also receives a slightly modded rear bumper to accommodate the hitch, as well as all the clever towing electronics that a serious load-hauler like the Discovery needs these days, such as the trailer stability system and a towing module to integrate the vehicle's electronics with the trailer.

Newly added to the model mix this year, the D350 Dynamic HSE is almost lineball with its sibling in terms of the standard spec sheet, save for 22” alloys, Windsor Leather seats, a powered ‘gesture’ tailgate and an upgraded 700W 14-speaker Meridian Surround Sound system. The D350 Metropolitan Edition adds even more, with unique 22” gloss dark grey alloys, heated and electric seats in the third row, ‘Engine Spin’ aluminium veneer and a sliding panoramic roof all added to the roster of standard features.

But the D350 is also tuned for more grunt – 257kW versus the D250’s 183kW peak power. The torque figure for the D350 is 700Nm. Land Rover uses metric horsepower – or PS – to list power output, so the two Discovery’s nameplates make more sense when you abandon our antipodean kilowatt measurements in favour of what the manufacturer intended – 249PS for the D250, 350PS for the D350. See? Anyway, we’ll revert to (Kiwi) type for the remainder of the story.

One figure that can’t be disputed is the Discovery’s braked tow rating. Maximum tonnage on the tow ball is 3.5-tonnes. It’s no secret that the Discovery is absolutely engineered for towing, and it’s no wonder these things are a regular sight at boat ramps, equestrian events and in racetrack service parks all over the country.

Add that third row of seating to the mix and the Discovery really does become one of the most versatile family vehicles around. Fold seats six and seven down and you’ve got masses of cargo space – 1,137-litres. Fold the second row and a colossal 2,391-litres are there for the filling.

Weaving practicality into its hallmark design, something that helps with headroom for those in the third row is the Discovery’s stepped roofline – a signature feature of the model since the very first iteration in 1989. It’s more subtle externally these days, but it’s there.

And that’s a vital part of the recipe for the Discovery. Yes, it has all the offroad nous you’d imagine anything sporting that famous green oval badge should. But the Discovery is built as much for the long-haul cruise as it is for tackling terrain best left alone by a lot of other SUVs. It is composure personified.

While certainly no shrinking violet in terms of its looks or size, the Discovery is one of those ‘if you know, you know’ vehicles. It has a legion of fans, there are loads of them on Kiwi roads, and yet it sort of slips underneath the radar. It’s covert, but in a big, brawny sort of way. It’s elegant in its enormousness, less in-your-face than rivals.

Capable of being as refined as it can be rugged, the Discovery remains a thoroughly compelling lifestyle upgrade for your garage.