Maybe not the right place to ask for opinions, or maybe it is! Our family finances wouldn’t ordinarily stretch to a brand new L405; but they do for a very well packaged Disco 5 and with two young children it is probably all the car that we will ever need. However, we could stretch to a base Vogue L405 with a little dealer persuasion as it is in a similar money ball park.

Therefore, is a ‘base’ L405 D300 Vogue a better proposition than a D300 Disco 5 HSE with options (and ignoring the utility of 7 usable seats)?

"...better proposition..." in what way? Depreciation? Style? Off-road ability? Surely only you can answer that.

Interesting conundrum.

IMO, the L405 is a totally different beast and not comparable? I am not sure I could live with the Disco's back end.

If you get the Disco, won't you always say "could have had an RR"? 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

Isn't 7 seats the only compelling reason to go for a Disco 5 ?

Which options would you get on the D5 that aren't in the base spec of an L405 ?

I think that it might come down to style and opportunity (as in price opportunity for a new FFRR). The Disco will invariably fair better in the depreciation stakes (but so would a FFRR against a Rolls Royce) and I agree that I’m not really comparing apples with apples - or am I? The ‘rugged’ Disco suits our lifestyle better (or what we think our lifestyle is!!) But both could easily tick all the boxes that we are after: cavernous, comfortable, immense off-road capabilities, tow a private jet out of its hanger etc. The current Disco 5 has the newer infotainment and and it has 7 seats.

I think it comes down to image and I’d feel a bit of an imposter in a new L405 (but strangely not in a used one!).

Must admit that after being a lifelong disco fan that I do not think I will be having another. If I was in the market for a brand new car and couldn't stretch to a well specced RR I would go for a defender 110 (or the upcoming 130) as I see that as the spiritual successor to the discovery 4

Never really taken to the D5 Paul

2014 Range Rover vogue se 4.4sdv8 Loire Blue
1992 Range Rover Vogue LSE 4.2 Ardennes green

If members of your family are tall then the pointed corners of the D5 tailgate might be an injury risk, they seem about eye level on me. There is said to be less room between the seat base and the floor in the rear seats, so more cramped for longer legged rear seat occupants.

The Discovery concept is, I think, "off road capable family car" whereas the RR concept is "off road capable luxury car". I much prefer the RR interior (but no view on the different tech offerings as I'm not at all technical). The RR base audio in the Vogue is not great for classical music (nor is the mid level one I'm afraid). With a new RR due quite soon the RR depreciation may well be worse. I don't know enough about the different engine options between Vogue and D5 to comment on that.

The best thing is probably for you and your family to try both and see which you prefer. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Buy a used L405

Fortunately my 4 and 7 year olds are shorter than my wife and I so the Discovery shouldn't present a physical hazard to them

At the end of the day, a FFRR is unrivalled in whatever trim and looking at the standard kit I doubt that I really need to add anything.

Boatmechanic wrote:

Buy a used L405

Last I knew the Disco didn't have CVDs which are standard on the L405 and therefore the ride could be significantly different on poorer roads. A comparative drive on such roads could be worthwhile if you drive poorer roads regularly.

CD player not needed - we’ve gone wireless

I think by CVD he means continuously variable damper...

There's a couple of tech points that the D5 wins over the L405, the D5 has wireless charging integrated and Dual View, they may be options on the D5 but Dual view was taken off the L405 when they introduced Dual screens and wireless charging is a bit ungainly and an afterthought on the RR and you lose a cup holder, no doubt they'll address this when the L460 arrives. They're both nice places to spend time in and cover big distances, its just the styling of the D5 polarises opinion.

Personally, if you can handle the looks, I'd go for a D5, you'll probably get a higher specification and its only just been face-lifted so residuals will probably stronger, it also strikes the balance between luxury and practicality.

After six Discovery’s I switched to a used FFRR.

I did over 12k miles in a top spec 3.0 D5 last year. The biggest issues for me were the driving position, visibility and middle row seats.

I think the design is hideous, but I’d had lived with it had the rest of the vehicle suited me.

If you don't need the practicality of the Disco (i.e. 7 seats and very large boot), then I would go for the FFRR every time. As you say you can get a great deal on an L405, and getting into a car at the bottom of the model spec is better than paying for a top end car where the same model can sell for £££ less just based on options. The L405 is very well specced as base and the driving comfort and looks will be better than the Disco. Ask yourself if you're at a set of lights in the Disco and you see a FFRR pull up next to you, would part of you secretly want to be driving the FFRR? If you're already thinking about what it takes to get into one now, then the answer is probably yes  2021 L405 Vogue D300
2016 L405 Vogue 3.0TDV6 (Sold)