The Birth of the Land Rover Discovery – 35 Years Ago This Month

Did you know?

In May 1989, Land Rover unveiled a completely new model that would become one of its most versatile and popular: the Land Rover Discovery.

Designed to bridge the gap between the utilitarian Defender and the more luxurious Range Rover, the Discovery was initially launched in 3-door form and became a game-changer. With its iconic alpine windows, stepped roof, and emphasis on both practicality and comfort, the Discovery brought a whole new type of customer to the Land Rover brand — families and adventurers alike.

The original Discovery 1 shared much of its underpinnings with the Range Rover Classic but introduced a more modern interior and better on-road manners. By 1990, the 5-door version had launched, and over the years, the Discovery would go on to spawn multiple generations, becoming one of Land Rover's global success stories.

14th May 2025 James