Thinking of a change

I have no experience of Landrover products, however, in the case of the Discovery Sport, the advice from the Which? magazine is don't buy.

Fortunately, there are many vehicles in the list that have been rated and recommended. Going out on a limb, I think the car reviews are probably nearer to the truth than the caravan reviews which, to some extent, seem to be something of a lottery.

I am on my 5th Discovery over a period of 26 years. Currently I tow a 1900 kg caravan with the D/Sport which has the current 2-0lt engine and auto gearbox. It has been faultless and tows this heavy caravan effortlessly without any stability issues. Whilst in Portugal we drove down a steep private cobbled stone road to an  ACSI site with a 1-in 5 descent from which there was no width to turn round had we wanted. When most outfits were leaving they took up the offer of the site owner to tow their caravan back up the site road with his tractor. It wasn't available on our departure but I was able to tow out using the Sports 'Low Traction start' facility. I have also towed two large motorhomes off muddy fields. There are a few knockers of Landrover, usually those who have never owned or even driven one. Once you have you are unlikely to settle for any other tow car. How many times do you read on this forum of people who have bought other large SUVs only to find they need oil coolers or tow bar problems etc.

Couldn't agree more Tirril, I am on my seventh Land Rover and none of them have let me down. At the end of the day they are one of the few vehicles build specifically with towing in mind.

I find the fact that I have towed for 34 of the last 36 years using just 3 Nissan tow cars as more impressive though. First two acquired at 3 years old and the present 14 year old X-Trail is 14 years old. 

I'm finding this type of post often turns into a 'my car's better than your car' affair, whilst those, be it for or against, have no real knowledge of, or have driven said vehicle. We are all passionate about our vehicles and are very quick to praise them, but it's a different story if they develop a fault. Let's face it - even those regarded as 'most reliable' will sometimes fail.

There is no doubt that Land Rovers are built to off-road and to tow. They are supremely good at it and have won many awards in doing so, they're also very comfortable to drive in solo every day mode.

There will be 'knockers' of all type of vehicles and what suits one will not suit all.

Go for a test drive and if it suits you - buy it. If not, keep on looking/researching. I always make a point of asking owners on sites about their tow vehicles which I personally may be interested in (for future reference and not limited to Land Rovers) and once you get passed the obvious first reply of 'Oh! Just brilliant, best tow car ever!' It's surprising after a few more questions at the responses (had a new clutch at....18-22mpg when towing.......broke down on the M6....etc etc)

From my own personal findings I would discount a Discovery Sport from my shopping list - but only because my van is a little heavy for it and I would have to look at the bigger sibling.

As with surveys and personal experiances if you have  "problems"  then it gets shouted from the rooftops but the thousands of satisfied owners of anything are just happy with their purchase,

When getting any feedback complaints to companies allways no matter what it is wiil always outstrip ,the positives because very few will complement,  the majority just accept that they have made the right choice

I'm finding this type of post often turns into a 'my car's better than your car' affair, whilst those, be it for or against, have no real knowledge of, or have driven said vehicle. 

I tend to agree but also I get little confidence from somebody who has had many of the same model range and trades in at 3 years and never has a significant problem. 

Hi, Think that jonray has pretty well summed up my feelings, that owners praise what they have and criticise what they don't have.

For me the issue of tow car choice has two overriding factors. The first is that I drive app 22000 miles a year and my car has to be suitable for that first and so its suitability for towing is second.

At the moment our choice of car is a good tow car, so that's, OK but if we were considering a car that was maybe not a great tow car it would be the van that we would look at changing not our car choice.

However, it would need to be an Audi!!!

Whereas my tow car was bought to tow first & foremost. We have other cars for knocking about & commuting in. ☺

And my tow car can't be front wheel drive 😉

That’s ironic, A&J. Praising what you have😁