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I'VE lived in several houses with less floorspace than Land Rover's latest Discovery.
It arrived on the drive as a Spring-clean was in full flow at the Keenan residence.
As a result I can vouch for the fact that the Discovery 3 HSE resembles a warehouse when it comes to storage space – with an ability to swallow a ton of stuff.
It is the perfect family car that offers occupants a panoramic view thanks to large windows, three sunroofs and elevated seating positions.
But while the merits of the 2.7-litre turbodiesel are many – any serious evaluation cannot take place without acknowledging the elephant in the room.
On this occasion the jumbo in question is the car's effect on the environment.
Even fans of the Discovery 3, and I count myself as one, have to accept that the most environmentally friendly oil burner version is about as green as a red traffic light.
Its carbon dioxide emissions would give even the toughest of polar bears sleepless nights while the fuel economy figure will make only an oil sheikh smile.
The car's off-road ability is second to none – but the fact remains most Disco drivers will never need it.
Finally you need to have a skin thicker than the aforementioned elephant to suffer the abuse and dark looks fellow road users will send your way for polluting the atmosphere and blocking their view.
On the plus side Land Rover have a carbon offsetting scheme that accounts for the first 45,000 miles of the Discovery 3's life and indeed the company is working hard to lessen the impact of their cars on Planet Earth.
Leave the green question to one side and things look up as the Discovery 3 is a brilliant SUV.
The V6 turbodiesel is borrowed from a Jaguar – but has been tinkered with to cater for serious driving over inhospitable terrain.
The Disco's bulk though blunts the oil burner's performance so that from a standing start it feels like a strongman trying to pull a lorry.
Overtaking can also be a little hair-raising as the power-to-weight ratio means scooting past a slow coach takes longer than you might think.
No matter, once up and running the 2.7-litre engine is smooth while the six-speed automatic gearbox links in well providing seamless acceleration.
There's also a 4.4-litre petrol V8 available but that is even thirstier.
The ride is predictably comfortable but the Discovery is also surprisingly nimble through corners with body roll well controlled for an off-roader that's a monster in the mud.
Insulation from road and wind noise is good making long journeys relaxing.
The Discovery boasts Land Rover's easy-to-use Terrain Response system for which the company has just been received a Queen's Award for innovation. The driver selects one of five settings via a chunky rotary dial on the centre console which automatically prepares the car for the terrain selected making use of the Discovery's advanced electronic controls and traction aids.
The HSE model is extensively equipped – as it should be for a £40,000-plus price-tag.
Cruise control, climate control, front and rear heated windscreens, an excellent satellite navigation system, and a top notch CD/stereo system are just some of the goodies included.
Later this year the Discovery 3 will get a minor makeover incorporating new front and rear body colour bumpers, body coloured wheel arches and revised exterior detailing.
FAST FACTS
Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE 5dr
Price: £45,000
Mechanical: 190bhp, 2,720cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE
