The Land Rover Discovery Series I, often simply referred to as the Land Rover Discovery, was the first generation of the Discovery model line. It was introduced by Land Rover in 1989 and remained in production until 1998. The Discovery 1 was a mid-size SUV designed to fill the gap between the rugged Defender and the more luxurious Range Rover in Land Rover’s lineup.
The Discovery 1 was introduced as a more family-friendly and comfortable alternative to the utilitarian Land Rover Defender. It featured a distinctive boxy design, similar to the Defender, with a stepped roofline and Alpine windows in the roof for additional visibility.
The Discovery 1 shared its chassis and some components with the more upmarket Range Rover Classic but had a shorter wheelbase. It featured a ladder-frame chassis and solid axles, contributing to its off-road capabilities.
The Discovery 1 was initially offered with a range of engines, including four-cylinder and V8 options. The V8 engines, particularly the 3.5-liter and later 3.9-liter versions, became popular for their power and torque.
Like other Land Rover vehicles, the Discovery 1 was designed with off-road capability in mind. It featured a permanent four-wheel-drive system and various off-road driving aids.
The suspension system contributed to its ability to handle rough terrain.