I keep finding my self drooling over a newer D5. Truth is I don't need one, I have a DII that I love and a nice Lincoln Corsair to take on longer trips. The main issue is on longer vacations we always take the girlfriend's 2019 MDX because it has more room than my Lincoln, is AWD if we get in some snow, and has rear ac and heat controls. My issue is I hate driving it. The hatch doesn't open high enough so I constantly bang my head. All the safety nannies constantly over react. I don't love a V6 engine in a heavy SUV and I just don't find it very luxurious compared to my Lincoln. I am a LR fanboy, always have been and the D5 is my favorite. I like the interior better than a Defender, I like the power hatch better than the swing out door of the defender, and I like it's more menacing look than the L405.

I do all my own mechanic work and am well aware of the Land Rover reputation. This want be a daily driver, mostly just for special occasions. I would however like it to be able to tow my 18' center console boat and haul a small camper one day if I decide to sell my truck camper. My other BIG criteria is something that is capable of going onto the beach as we love doing that which leads me to the big conundrum. For long term reliability sake I would prefer the 2.0T. It has plenty of power for what I plan to do and none of the hybrid complexity. If we were talking a Toyota I wouldn't mind but we aren't so I am worried about the mild hybrid nature of the I6. Unfortunately LR has deemed the 2.0 unworthy of a low range transfer case. While I have the DII for more serious wheeling, I am worried the 2.0T with only high range will struggle in the NC sand. I've always used low range on the beach to reduce the load on the engine and transmission. Granted that's been mostly older traditional 4x4 trucks and suvs that didnt have modern traction aids or engine transmission management systems.

All that said, to the 4 cylinder owners out there, am I concerned about a non issue? For the 6 cylinder owners, is the low range case worth the potential 48volt issues?

 

are you looking at the facelift ingenium engines?

 

Likely a 2021 or newer. So yes

 

yea i dont know much about those engines sorry I just know the pre ingenium 2.0 were terrible

 

So I had a 2017 D5 with the 3.0 supercharged V6, and I have had plenty of seat time in multiple D5s with the P300 2.0 I4 and P360 3.0 I6 MHEV. I currently drive a P300 Defender and it is more than adequate. It has no trouble getting up to speed, and 0-60 is in a very respectable 7 seconds. The Discovery with the 2.0 is similar, but feels a little more sluggish than my Defender. It could be because the transmission didn't adapt to my driving style, or it could be because of the extra weight. I just feel that the 2.0 isn't as well suited to the D5 as it is in the Defender. The NVH levels of the I4 have been much more noticeable in the D5 than in my Defender, whereas the P360 is perfectly smooth and effortless and well worth the extra $6k over the P300. Plus, there are companies that can change the CCF files to bump the power up to P400 spec, and since it is the factory map, it hypothetically wouldn't void the warranty, nor will it cause any problems because it is a factory map.

The 3.0 MHEV is the way to go. Not only does it unlock the option of the two-speed transfer case (which is a mandatory option for me), it feels much better suited to the vehicle than the P300. It is quiet, refined, buttery smooth and powerful. It is also more efficient than the 2.0 because it doesn't have to work as hard. You also get increased payload, as well as a much higher towing capacity - 8,200 lbs. vs 5900 on the P300.

Both engines have proven to be pretty reliable. The 2.0 dates back to 2017 and the 3.0 has been around since late 2018, and neither engines have any serious problems like the timing chains and crossover pipes on the old 5.0 V8 and 3.0 supercharged V6, and the snapping crankshafts on the Td6. I wouldn't worry that much about the MHEV system. There haven't been any serious and repeat issues on it according to my dealer, as well as I haven't seen many issues about it on the forums.

In all, I would only consider the P360 if I was buying a D5. You get a lot more for not a huge price increase. If you were in the market for a Defender, I would 100% recommend the P300. I have it in mine, and I have no regrets. However, if I were to buy another Defender, I'd get the P400. The only reason I didn't get a P400 is because the early cars had bad throttle programming, which has since been remedied, but the P300 in the Defender does a great job and four years on, I still really like it.

 

Thanks for the intel. I agree you get a lot more for your money with the I6. I like the looks of the Defender but the cargo door situation is a deal breaker for me and I don't really need the increased capability as I am not likely to take one of these any further off road than the beach or a logging road in the mountains.

 

I miss my D5. It was a great car and a much better family SUV than even the Defender 130. Like I said, I'd go with the P360. You won't regret it - it is an excellent engine perfectly suited for the vehicle.

 

I can only speak to the 6 on my 2020 Discovery (7 seat). The 6 is adequate, but not much more. No way I'd get the 4.

 

According to the 0-60 times the 4 cylinder would be about the fastest thing I’ve ever owned so I doubt I would be disappointed.

 

The quick, perhaps. But hills are not its strength.