New Land Rover Discovery Metropolitan Edition 2022 review

Verdict

Viewed as a new flagship to crown the Discovery range, the Metropolitan Edition in D300 diesel form is definitely a worthy vehicle, but you can find much of the same relaxing character, clever use of space and versatility – not to mention almost the same level of luxury – on more modest, more affordable trim levels within the existing line-up. Even so, this new model goes to prove that the Discovery remains one of the very best seven-seat SUVs on sale.

Special editions sometimes signal a much-needed injection of life into a range, but the Discovery is a perennial performer for Land Rover, a sales stalwart in a market where large premium rivals continue to arrive in an already-busy sector.

This new Metropolitan Edition stands as the flagship in the line-up, and it’s based on HSE R-Dynamic trim. There’s more bright detailing around the grille and the Discovery lettering. New silver inserts in the bumper combine with 22-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels and titanium mesh details inside.

There’s also oodles of standard kit; you get four-zone climate control, heated and cooled first and second-row seats, as well as heated third-row seats. They all fold electronically via the infotainment system (an 11.4-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), while wireless phone charging, full keyless go, a powered tailgate, matrix LED headlights, loads of safety and driver-assistance tech, a 3D surround-view camera and Land Rover’s Terrain response and wade-sensing tech are also included.

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But then, at £75,475 for this D300 model, it’s a pricey car. It still offers all the premium appeal high-spec Discos have become known for, though.

Compared with the latest seven-seat Range Rover, the Discovery Metropolitan Edition has a different dynamic personality, with a more ‘communicative’ ride from its large wheels. Sometimes that means the ride can be a little harsh over ridges in the road, but over softer, rolling surfaces the Discovery comes across as more pliant and absorbent. There’s a nice amount of isolation from the road, and despite its high ride height and big, bulky body, the Disco’s handling is sharper than you might think.

The steering is on the slow side – which helps the car’s incredible off-road performance – but don’t misinterpret this as being sloppy, because it’s also accurate. And lots of steering lock helps manoeuvre this five-metre-long machine in tight spots.

Refinement is superb on the move. Wind noise is kept to a minimum and you only get the faintest hum from the engine – enough to give the car a smooth, relaxed character.

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With 296bhp and 650Nm of torque, performance is effortless – to a point. The engine doesn’t deliver its best at higher revs, so thrashing it isn’t that productive, even though it will take the Discovery from 0-62mph to 6.8 seconds. The gearbox is smooth but unhurried too, so if you drive around using the wealth of low-down torque, the Discovery is very relaxing.

It’s pretty much just as soothing in the second row of seats, because they all slide independently and there’s enough legroom and lots of headroom. The third row isn’t quite as spacious, mind, and while access to it is okay, you still have to clamber up and thread your body through a narrow-ish gap. The sixth and seventh seats will be best suited to children, really.

Even so, the use of space and storage inside is great. Following the Discovery’s facelift in 2021, the climate control panel is now touch-sensitive, but behind this there’s still a hidden compartment for phones, wallets and sunglasses.

Beneath the cup-holders there’s another huge, deep bin, and behind this on our car was a lidded refrigerated compartment. Even storage in the second and third rows is good, so everyone should have space for their phone. A double glovebox helps too.