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2017 Land Rover Discovery wears a slick new suit but hasn't forgotten its roots

Loads of tech promise to make both off-roading and family life much easier.

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Relax, we're trained professionals.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Thankfully, the Discovery's Terrain Response 2 features a sand mode.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Most SUVs wait their entire lives for a view like this, but few can climb to see it.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Much-improved materials and JLR's new InControl Touch Pro infotainment system bring the Discovery into the modern age.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Having a team of spotters helps a lot when you can't see over the hood because you're pointed skyward.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Those rocks are slippery, but the Disco's advanced electronics suite makes the best of the available traction.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Utah is desolate but gorgeous, people.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Fortunately, yours truly never needed that orange cheater board.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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You won't catch an Audi, BMW or Lexus out here.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Arrival and departure angles have improved over the already very capable LR4.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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All-wheel drive is standard, but a two-speed transfer case is valuable optional equipment for hardcore off-roaders.

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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Don't look down. On second thought...

2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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2017 Land Rover Discovery - first drive
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