2000 Land Rover Discovery II

By Bob Storck

The Land Rover Discovery, made popular by families looking for a compact sport utility vehicle with proven off-road capability, durability and versatility, is an even better value with a 2000 overhaul. At first glance, the "Disco" still retains its traditional boxy, chunky appearance. The modest face-lift and stretched tail are barely noticeable even to the Land Rover faithful.

Inside is an array of new safety, comfort and convenience features. Active cornering enhancement and a self leveling rear suspension combine to make the Disco much better on the highway, and this year rear air conditioning is a boon for the passengers.

The Series II Discovery is actually 85 percent new and shares no body panels with the original. It's 6 inches longer, 4 inches wider and a half inch lower, providing more rear-seat area and comfort, plus greater cargo-carrying capacity. Despite these changes, this compact SUV maintains the same 100-inch wheelbase.

The venerable all-aluminum 4.0-liter V-8 provides 18 pounds more torque -- 251 foot-pounds at 2600 rpm, while at the same time increasing power, efficiency and driveability, thanks to a new engine-management system. BMW still doesn't have an engine better than the 40 year old GM design.