Whatcar announced last night at the glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel that Discovery 4 wins the award for best 4x4 for 2010.
Against tough competition, including the Mercedes ML, BMW X5, and the Lexus RX450h, the Solihull-built Discovery 4 emerged victorious with What Car? citing that the Land Rover Discovery’s ‘brilliance remains undimmed’.
With a refined and highly efficient new LR-TDV6 3.0 twin-turbo diesel engine, the Discovery 4 XS is priced from £41,395 on the road and has a class-leading 600Nm of torque and a combined fuel economy of 30.4mpg.
Steve Fowler, editor of What Car? said: "Thanks to a recent comprehensive update, the Discovery is shining brighter than ever…..It is its ability to excel at so many different roles that makes it so appealing. As well as offering executive car comfort and MPV practicality, it's still a real go-anywhere off-roader…. When you consider that the Discovery is so many great cars in one, it’s a bargain."
Phil Popham, managing director, Land Rover added: "We are enormously proud to be taking home this accolade for the Discovery 4. The outgoing Discovery 3 won well over 100 awards globally, including the coveted What Car? Car of the Year in 2005. We've found ways, however, to improve almost every aspect of the Discovery 4, resulting in a new supremely capable and premium vehicle."
The Range Rover TDV8 Vogue also received recognition as the ‘Best Buy between £60,000- £100,000’. Steve Fowler commented: “The Range Rover is perfectly at home in terrain that would make a tank commander think twice, but it’s also a genuine alternative to luxury saloons, both in the way it drives and the quality it exudes.”
This award and others in 2009 means that Land Rover moves into the New Year poised for continued success. From the dependable Defender, to the desirable Range Rover, Land Rover has driven through the difficult market conditions of 2009 to achieve 12 months filled with global awards.
The introduction of an updated model line up, featuring numerous new technologies and combined with cleaner yet more powerful engine options, has provided a cross-continental boost for Britain's world-renowned 4x4 brand.
The Discovery 4 continues to lead the field. As well as the What Car? best 4x4 award for 2010, it has scooped a variety of prestigious accolades within a few months of going on sale. These include, in the UK, two awards from the Caravan Club, 4x4 Magazine's Car of the Year and the Scottish Car of the Year. Further afield international recognition has been achieved from Spain's Car and Driver – Best 4x4, Autocar China – Best Annual SUV as well as Bloomberg's USA – All-Round SUV of the Year.
