Land Rover Discovery vs BMW X5: Dare to be different

If one vehicle sells more than another, does that automatically mean it's more interesting? Some people would think so, but that would be wrong.

Take the BMW X5, for example. It is, by all accounts, one of the best sellers in the luxury SUV world for years. However, it has years of service and people often choose it blindly because of its reputation. That still doesn't mean it's better. In fact, this is evident when measured against the Land Rover Discovery. The Discovery may be less well known, but it still offers more than BMW's flagship.

Here's what makes it stand out.

Off-road capabilities

Many utility vehicles play the all-purpose card. If the BMW X5 wants to venture off the beaten path, good for it. One thing's for sure, it will never be able to keep up with the Discovery. The successor to the LR4 in the Land Rover lineup is a master at tackling inhospitable surfaces thanks to its industry-leading Terrain Response system.

When you can have everything in luxury at one address or another, why settle for a product that only gives the impression of being able to go off the beaten path?

The Difference

There are a lot of BMW products on the road, so much so that you don't really get noticed driving them anymore. With a Land Rover model, it's the opposite. There is a respect for the brand's products, a kind of admiration for their skills and abilities. When you drive around in a Discovery model, you feel that recognition. And at the price you pay for both vehicles, it's much more interesting to enjoy a vehicle that has a certain exclusivity.

And that's not to mention that when it comes to styling, the Land Rover recipe is far more distinctive. You look at a BMW X5; you admire a Land Rover Discovery.

Cargo volume

With a utility vehicle, it's important to have a cargo space worthy of the name. In this respect, the battle is not even close between our two star products.

With the X5, you get a decent amount of space for the category, around 1,770 liters (it can be a few liters more depending on the variant). With the Discovery, 2391 liters are available behind the first row of seats, which is extraordinary for a model in this category.

And those are just three of the advantages the Land Rover Discovery offers over the BMW X5. Comfort, driveability and performance are other areas where the model has nothing to envy to its German rival.

Come and discover it at the dealership by booking a road test. Dare to be different.