2026 Land Rover Discovery D350 Tempest Edition Review

The Discovery might be getting on in age, but there is life left in it yet. It’s still an exceptionally capable, versatile and comfortable vehicle, but is the Tempest spec worth the extra?

While Land Rover doesn’t provide a breakdown of international sales across its model line-up, it recently revealed that the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender account for more than 80 per cent of its sales volume.

So other models, such as the Range Rover Velar, Discovery and Discovery Sport, account for less than 20 per cent. And while these statistics might reflect what the world is buying, I believe the masses have it wrong.

I’m a firm believer that the Discovery is the best vehicle Land Rover sells. It occupies a Goldilocks zone between the luxury of the Range Rover and the capabilities of the Defender. The Tempest Edition is the newest addition to the Discovery family, and it only makes a good SUV even better.

A pricey Discovery

Described by Land Rover as the “Best of Discovery”, the new Tempest Edition is the most expensive and best-appointed Discovery we’ve seen in New Zealand to date. It starts at $192,900 locally, which is a fair whack more than the other models and a lot for an SUV that has been around since 2017. For reference, the entry-level Dynamic SE starts at $153,900, while the Dynamic HSE is $169,900.

It is based on the D350 model, which is powered by a mild-hybrid 3.0-litre turbo-diesel straight-six producing 257kW and 700Nm. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system.

So, while the hardware is the same, the exterior of this Tempest Edition features some significant changes over the standard models. It is available in an exclusive Borasco Grey hue, alongside Varesine Blue and Carpathian Grey. A matte protective film is then applied, which not only gives it a muted finish but also protects the paint beneath.

Then there are the copper highlights, which can be seen across the SUV. The most notable is the roof, which can also be optioned in black, but the badging, front guards and tow eyes all feature copper trim. The imposing 22-inch wheels are also copper-coloured. There are also a few Tempest-specific badges strewn around the place, including on the B-pillars, treadplates and dashboard. On the inside, it is finished in black Extended Windsor leather, but lighter Oyster upholstery can also be optioned.

A lavish cabin

Aside from the lavish upholstery of this Tempest Edition, the Discovery’s standard interior is an extremely comfortable place to be. The front seats are large, and the folding armrests make them feel like first-row captain’s chairs. They also get heating, ventilation and electric adjustment. It features a curved 11.4-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s also a digital instrument cluster and a head-up display.

Creature comforts include four-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel and a fridge in the centre console. Moving to the second row, you’ll find that the 2.9-metre wheelbase provides plenty of space for taller occupants, and it’s also impressively wide. Occupants back here can control the climate using a panel on the rear of the centre console, and they get a pair of USB-C charging ports. 

The width of the Discovery means sitting in the third row isn’t as much of a punishment as it is in other SUVs, and the air vents back there are a nice touch. Third-row occupants also get USB-C charging ports, so entertainment on long drives won’t be an issue. 

Open the powered tailgate and the load space is cavernous. Numbers-wise, you get 258 litres with the third row in place, 558 litres with the third row folded and 1731 litres with both rows folded. A handy control panel is located just inside the tailgate, allowing remote operation of both rows of seats. A full-size spare tyre is mounted beneath the boot, which is an extremely uncommon find these days. As for towing, the Discovery is rated to a braked limit of 3.5 tonnes, matching the segment standard for dual-cab utes.

Tempest by name, not by nature

If you’re a logophile, or word enthusiast, you’ll know that tempest means a violent weather event. While it probably makes for a cool marketing slide, the Discovery seems more like an overcast day, maybe with a touch of wind, if anything.

That’s because it is so composed in everything it does. Sure, the healthy engine outputs give it an impressive 0–100km/h time of 6.3 seconds, which feels brisk for a 2.3-tonne SUV, but it’s not frighteningly fast like the other V8-equipped Land Rovers. 

As for fuel economy, I averaged around 9L/100km, which is higher than Land Rover’s claim of 8.4L/100km but isn’t bad considering its size and performance.

The air suspension also contributes to this, providing an extremely supple ride over varied surfaces. It’s clear Land Rover wasn’t prioritising performance here, as it’s very forgiving, but body roll is still impressively well controlled. This suspension system can raise or lower the SUV’s ride height, depending on what the driver needs. It can also be controlled through the panel at the rear, allowing easier loading into the boot.

Braking is handled by a set of Brembo calipers that clamp down on ventilated rotors. Fitting name-brand performance brakes to an SUV of this size seems like a strange choice on the surface, but it does stop impeccably. As standard, it gets a locking centre differential, which can be controlled through the infotainment screen. As I kept the Discovery on tarmac during this loan, I can’t speak to how it performs off-road, although I have previously been impressed by the capabilities of other variants. A locking rear differential can also be added.

Ageing safety systems

As this generation of Discovery was first introduced in 2017, it’s quite an old model, and the safety systems reflect this. The adaptive cruise control works as you’d expect, although the lane-keep assistance feels low-tech. It is quite fussy with its inputs and seems to bounce the SUV across the lane, instead of keeping it centred like more modern systems do. 

Further to this point, ANCAP tested this Discovery back in 2017, and its five-star rating expired at the end of 2023. This means the current model remains unrated and, without the more sophisticated active safety systems now expected, it likely wouldn’t achieve five stars under modern testing standards.

A Discovery swansong?

Though Land Rover hasn’t explicitly said so, it sure feels like this Tempest Edition might represent the end of the line for the Discovery in its current form. Considering this model is almost a decade old, it is surely due for an overhaul in the near future. 

As a whole, Land Rover has built on all the aspects that make a Discovery so likeable. Although the price tag exceeds that of a well-specced Defender 110, I wouldn’t think twice about choosing it over its more rugged counterpart. This Discovery Tempest Edition is exactly what it needs to be to fill the gap between the Range Rover and Defender. It offers the best of both worlds. 

At its $192,900 price point, I would also consider the Mercedes-Benz G450d. It fills a similar niche and features exceptional build quality, although it misses out on that third row of seats. There are also the Japanese rivals to consider in the form of the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and Nissan’s upcoming Y63 Patrol, which is set to arrive in mid-2027.  

Land Rover Discovery Tempest Edition

$192,900  /  8.4L/100km  /  219g/km
0-100 km/h 6.3s
Engine  2997cc / IL6 / TDI
Max power  257kW@4000rpm
Max torque  700Nm@1500rpm
Drivetrain  8-speed auto / AWD
Front suspension  Wishbones / air springs
Rear suspension  Multilink / air springs
Turning circle  12.4m 
Front brakes  Ventilated discs (380mm)
Rear brakes  Ventilated discs (365mm)
Stability systems  ABS, ESP
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  f/r-285/40R22
Wheelbase  2923mm
L/W/H  4956 / 2220 / 1888mm
Track f-1692mm  r-1687mm
Fuel capacity  89L
Luggage capacity  258/558/1731L
Tow rating  750kg (3500kg braked)
Service intervals  12 months / 16,000km
Warranty  3yrs / 100,000km
ANCAP rating  Unrated
Weight (claimed)  2316kg