Member Since: 17 Nov 2012
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1135
Respected motoring journalists take on the D5
Respected motoring journalists take on the D5, including the rear end.
Richard Aucock
A motoring journalist, MD at multimedia publisher Motoring Research and former Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers, the world's largest motoring journalist
Member Since: 16 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1259
Good review!
Sounds like there is plenty of room in the back!
9th Mar 2017 10:20 am
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Having had mine for a week now and done about 600 miles I think his write up has sold the car short. Yes it is not the old shape and yes there is no split tailgate, but it is a different time and a different style of car is needed for most.
The result is a superb car that will go off road and will give room for 7 and the more I drive it the more I like it.
There are down sides, there is not as much storage in the boot as the D3/4, they have put the battery in the OSR trim in the boot which eats up loads of space, shame as there is masses of space under the bonnet where the battery could have gone.
The ride is even more magic carpet ride like than the D3/4, and is very very quite.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
Are best performing when located in a cool place...
In an engine bay isn't cool...
Most quality, well engineered vehicles have boot or under a seat battery locations
Down side is the area has to be unloaded to get at the battery.BREXIT - done properly.
Right now ...We need Government - not Politics
Save the Dipstick Flagbearer-keep it simple, less likely to fail campaign-agenda items:Starting Handles, Acetylene Lamps.
Founder: Dipsticks-R-Us Inc
D3 HSE-perfectly formed, passenger friendly...has real DIPSTICK
Jag XK-but sadly no DIPSTICK...HUGE design fault
FL2 has DIPSTICK..."real comfort in rear seats"
VW Golf wondermobile (?)..has real DIPSTICK
Morris Minor..original DIPSTICK technology..and a real KEY.
Good review!
Sounds like there is plenty of room in the back!
Don't need a review to get knowledge of a vehicle....it not just "room in the back"........critically it's how that room is apportioned & used.
A review is after all another persons opinion.....based on a vehicle they are merely testing
Radically different to buying, owning & running one.
Sorry to pursue the point but the rear seats are far far too low with no support for passengers thighs....well commented on in this forum by those who have gone & looked....those who are discrimating & consider their passenger comfort as opposed to just "having to have the latest model" regardless.
Passenger comfort is to me fundamental....if you ain't comfy (i.e uncomfortable) the user experience or ownership is going to be flawed....it won't get better, be altered by continued use or improved by the aftermarket with an add on device.....such as a cushion.
Yes it is a different time for this vehicle.....over 10 years on since the introduction of the D3....the D4 didnt alter the body shape or accommodation for passengers.
The shape of passengers & how they are accommodated seating wise hasn't altered either....humans still have two arms, two legs, a torso & a bum.
What's altered ? LR have decided to pursue the model themes that are categorised Discovery being "lifestyle"....which marketing has dictated has to have seven seats......the D3/4 had seven seats....the 6th & 7th seats being usable by adults.....I've sat in mine as a passenger for a 600 mile journey...they are very good.
Seats 3, 4 & 5 in the D3/4 were & still are not just usable but sized for real adults & have thigh support.....fundamentally not compromised by the vehicle shape or other factors that compromise the carrying of people.
Style has been mentioned....which is a thing that's depends on an individual's perception of what attracts or detracts.....passenger comfort in this case if the D5 has been compromised by style....so when & if your D5 passengers complain that they aren't comfortable - you can remind them they are in a stylish vehicle.......that thought may make them feel better...if it doesn't you could have printed copies of rave reviews to console them.BREXIT - done properly.
Right now ...We need Government - not Politics
Save the Dipstick Flagbearer-keep it simple, less likely to fail campaign-agenda items:Starting Handles, Acetylene Lamps.
Founder: Dipsticks-R-Us Inc
D3 HSE-perfectly formed, passenger friendly...has real DIPSTICK
Jag XK-but sadly no DIPSTICK...HUGE design fault
FL2 has DIPSTICK..."real comfort in rear seats"
VW Golf wondermobile (?)..has real DIPSTICK
Morris Minor..original DIPSTICK technology..and a real KEY.
9th Mar 2017 12:56 pm
petersw
Member Since: 17 Nov 2012
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1135
2nd row seats are slightly high in my opinion, but ok when if you recline them. (5'11")
Edit: Batteries perform best when warm.Peter
9th Mar 2017 1:00 pm
Ja92mie
Member Since: 16 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1259
If you don't like it, don't buy it...
9th Mar 2017 1:02 pm
jimbg
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 478
He says he is not going to....
Quote:
Unless....
The five seat accommodation for adult sized adults is there......I mean seat comfort that works on long journeys....I ain't going to look any more....it will be something else.
9th Mar 2017 1:21 pm
petersw
Member Since: 17 Nov 2012
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1135
I hear D4 HSE's are going cheap? Is that correct?Peter
My D3 won't be renewed with a D5.
What amazes me is:
Ordering unseen - as some actually did (haven't seen it yet but I'll be buying one regardless)
Ordering / buying one - even though the back seat passenger ain't going to be that taken care of + lots more like cargo space, silly small engines,
Accepting whatever LR want to provide - & selling on perfectly good D3/4's.
Note: nothing to do with "style", wifi connectivity, USB sockets, cubby holes....it's about vehicle capability....seating comfort, cargo space, abilty to tow....BREXIT - done properly.
Right now ...We need Government - not Politics
Save the Dipstick Flagbearer-keep it simple, less likely to fail campaign-agenda items:Starting Handles, Acetylene Lamps.
Founder: Dipsticks-R-Us Inc
D3 HSE-perfectly formed, passenger friendly...has real DIPSTICK
Jag XK-but sadly no DIPSTICK...HUGE design fault
FL2 has DIPSTICK..."real comfort in rear seats"
VW Golf wondermobile (?)..has real DIPSTICK
Morris Minor..original DIPSTICK technology..and a real KEY.
9th Mar 2017 1:38 pm
jimbg
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 478
BL, can I ask how much time have you actually spent in a D5?
Test drives....maybe 35 - 40 mins first test drive.....the second over an hour on very mixed roads
the second drive had my SWMBO'd in the back seat with my adult sized younger daughter...(she has her own FL2) her comments about the back seat were brutally honest to the dealer.
To answer the question ...... it won't matter how long I spend on test drives....it won't alter the shape of the seats or me. It's highly unlikely my opinion (I'm 5'11") of what the seats are like will alter either.....yes I will ride there as a passenger.
Please don't fall into the trap that longer or more test drives had are like "notches on a gunslingers belt"....they aren't.
My first encounter with a D5 the ridiculous cargo space & rear seat abnormality were abundantly obvious....even the LR guy agreed with me.......plus many other existing D3/4 owners had said the same....the one LR guy I spoke to in the Trafford centre said overall the poor response they had recieved wasn't what they expected.
Good luck to those who have them or are going to buy one......to me not a smart purchase that will stand the test of time or rear seat passenger scrutiny.BREXIT - done properly.
Right now ...We need Government - not Politics
Save the Dipstick Flagbearer-keep it simple, less likely to fail campaign-agenda items:Starting Handles, Acetylene Lamps.
Founder: Dipsticks-R-Us Inc
D3 HSE-perfectly formed, passenger friendly...has real DIPSTICK
Jag XK-but sadly no DIPSTICK...HUGE design fault
FL2 has DIPSTICK..."real comfort in rear seats"
VW Golf wondermobile (?)..has real DIPSTICK
Morris Minor..original DIPSTICK technology..and a real KEY.
9th Mar 2017 2:07 pm
artschool
Member Since: 21 Aug 2016
Location: chester
Posts: 230
"The manly charm of the old one is gone, but nobody really wants that in this class of car in 2017."
9th Mar 2017 2:15 pm
petersw
Member Since: 17 Nov 2012
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1135
Yes excellent point Artschool totally agree with you.Peter
9th Mar 2017 2:26 pm
RRSTDV8
Member Since: 07 Apr 2014
Location: Here
Posts: 13607
Re: Rest assured....
BLFarrar wrote:
Ordering / buying one - even though the back seat passenger ain't going to be that taken care of + lots more like cargo space, silly small engines,
Accepting whatever LR want to provide - & selling on perfectly good D3/4's.
Note: nothing to do with "style", wifi connectivity, USB sockets, cubby holes....it's about vehicle capability....seating comfort, cargo space, abilty to tow....
Have you ever thought that, perhaps, just maybe, other people's wants and needs are different to yours? It's a shocking thought, I know, but it's possible. Visiting from rrsport.co.uk
2012 RRS SDV6
2008 RRS TDV8
"When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who's going to die! You don't know who's children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken. How many lives shattered. How much blood will spill, until everybody does what they were always going to have to do from the very beginning: SIT DOWN AND TALK!"
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