Discovery Landmark arrives as the new face of the iconic seven-seat SUV

|Rene Vermeer
Discovery Landmark arrives as the new face of the iconic seven-seat SUV - 4XJournal.com

For nearly four decades, the Discovery has carved out its own niche in the SUV market. It has always been the practical one in the Land Rover family, offering genuine seven-seat versatility without sacrificing the off-road capability that has become synonymous with the badge.

Now, Discovery has refreshed the line-up for 2026 with the introduction of the new Landmark edition, replacing previous trim levels and sitting alongside the range-topping Tempest. The move simplifies the model range while giving buyers two distinctly different personalities to choose from.

The new Landmark celebrates what Discovery has always done best: carrying families, gear and adventure in equal measure. While it doesn't reinvent the formula, it brings a number of visual and equipment upgrades that make the latest Discovery feel more contemporary.

One of the standout additions is the exclusive Tasman Blue metallic paint, a colour reserved solely for the Landmark. According to Discovery, the finish pays tribute to the original Clearwater Blue offered when the Discovery first launched back in 1989, giving the latest model a subtle nod to its heritage.

The exterior receives a series of tasteful updates rather than an outright redesign. Graphite Atlas detailing appears across the grille, side vents and Discovery script, while Carpathian Grey skid plates and new 21-inch Dark Agate Grey alloy wheels complete the look. Exclusive Landmark branding is also featured throughout the vehicle, including the tread plates, B-pillars, centre console and even the puddle lamps.

Inside, the focus remains firmly on family comfort. The Landmark receives dark grey brushed aluminium trim, Tech Velour finishes across the dashboard and doors, a sliding panoramic sunroof and a refrigerated centre console, making long road trips that little bit more comfortable for everyone onboard.

While the Landmark becomes the core model, the Tempest continues as the flagship Discovery. It gains an exclusive Borasco Grey exterior finish, matte protective film across every colour option, distinctive Petra Copper accents and upgraded Windsor leather interior options designed to elevate the luxury experience.

Practicality remains one of Discovery's strongest selling points, and that hasn't changed. Buyers can choose from five factory accessory packs tailored to different lifestyles, covering everything from cycling and beach holidays through to winter adventures, long-distance touring and travelling with dogs. Rather than forcing buyers into individual accessories, these curated packs bundle together equipment that genuinely suits different types of owners.

Importantly, Discovery hasn't forgotten its off-road roots. Every model continues to feature Terrain Response 2 and All Terrain Progress Control, allowing the vehicle to automatically optimise its systems for changing conditions. A maximum wading depth of 900mm remains, while every Discovery is rated to tow up to 3,500kg when properly equipped, with Advanced Tow Assist helping simplify reversing with a trailer.

Power comes from Discovery's familiar Ingenium diesel engines. The Landmark is offered with either the D250 or D350 powertrains, while the Tempest is available exclusively with the more powerful D350.

Also new across the range is Driver Attention Monitor, which uses a driver-facing camera to monitor where the driver is looking and issues audio and visual alerts if it believes attention has wandered. While it's becoming increasingly common across the industry, it's a feature we're not particularly fond of. Too many new vehicles now bombard drivers with unnecessary warnings and interventions, often becoming more distracting than helpful. We appreciate that manufacturers are working to meet evolving safety requirements, but we'd like to see more systems that trust attentive drivers and are less intrusive by default.

The changes may not represent a complete reinvention of the Discovery formula, but that's arguably the point. Discovery has instead refined the things owners already value most: space, comfort, towing capability and genuine all-terrain ability.

In a market increasingly dominated by urban SUVs, the Discovery continues to occupy a unique position as one of the few luxury seven-seat SUVs that remains just as comfortable tackling a remote gravel road as it is handling the weekday school run. The new Landmark simply gives buyers another compelling reason to keep discovering what's beyond the end of the bitumen.

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