I'VE always been a bit of an inverted snob when it comes to so-called "prestige" marques.

I tend to tell myself there must be equally competent, well-equipped vehicles out there, built for the same purpose, but offering much better value for money.

This is why, as far as I was concerned, Land Rover's Discovery 3 was going to have to be pretty fantastic to win favour with me.

And it was.

Thoroughly unprepared for quite such an impressive package, I would have to say that, having driven the all-new Disco 3, there would seem to be few things this vehicle cannot do, and still fewer places it couldn't go.

The body shape is a departure from the stepped-roofs of the previous Discos, with a robust and rectangular appearance which seems more military than civilian.

This look, and the resulting lower roof height, make it less conspicuous than earlier models, which is a good or a bad thing, depending on how you feel about standing out from the crowd.

I personally think there are advantages to "blending in", especially when it means avoiding unwanted attention, and I appreciated its understated look.

From the front, it is unmistakably Land Rover. However, from the rear, what is most noticeable is the absence of the spare wheel. Indeed, without this defining feature, the Discovery 3 could be mistaken for a van from this angle.

But there is good reason. By slinging the spare on the underside of the vehicle, the tailgate splits in two, with both parts hinging horizontally, the bottom dropping down so that it can be perched on, and the top going up to provide cover - perfect for those with outdoor pursuits high on their list of priorities or loading the car with shopping when the weather turns bad.

And this practical design feature is just one of many which make the Disco 3's applications seem innumerable. Another is the variety of MPV-rivalling seating configurations and the fact that both rear rows of seats fold flat to the floor, making large load-lugging a cinch.

All seven of the Disco's seats can carry a fully-grown adult in mile-munching comfort and unpretentious luxury as the interior is both cavernous and well-equipped.

From the electrically-operated heated leather seats (optional), satellite navigation and steering wheel-mounted controls for the stereo and the cruise control, to rubber mats, removable cup holders and even a clip for your parking ticket, it seems Land Rover has pretty much covered all bases.

The dash, though largely plastic, is uncluttered and set off nicely by platinum-effect rings around the air vents and simple, tasteful and easy-to-read clocks.

But the well thought-out ride would all be for nothing if the drive was disappointing, a fact that Land Rover has recognised in updating both the diesel and the petrol engine options. The diesel is now a 2.7-litre 188bhp V6, and the petrol, a 4.4-litre 295bhp V8.

I had the six-speed manual diesel version (pictured above) in SE trim which was a gem.

It boasted plenty of mid-range pulling power, making motorway miles a breeze.

In retrospect, I think the Disco 3 experience would have been further enhanced by an automatic box, as this would have improved what was already - thanks to adjustable air-sprung suspension - a very smooth ride, and would have complemented a drive that was sedate rather than exciting.

At lower speeds, it was still surprisingly nimble and was almost entirely free of the sort of body roll I had expected to result from throwing about a vehicle that is actually heavier than a Range Rover.

The elevated driving position gives you a good vantage point from which to observe all that is going on around you, and parking was made easier by the invaluable distance sensors.

But what impressed me more than anything were the electric wing mirrors, which automatically adjusted themselves to show the kerb when reverse was selected.

Though my excursions in the Discovery were largely confined to the road, there is enough 4x4 gadgetry to suggest that its mud-plugging credentials are as good as they ever were.

All the off-road functions are now electronically controlled. The low-ratio gearbox is engaged at the flick of a switch and the Terrain Response dial has predetermined settings which adjust the vehicle's engine, transmission, suspension and traction to deal with a variety of landscapes.

Unsurprisingly, this level of refinement and techno-wizardry comes at a price and a hefty one at that. The entry level model is just shy of £27,000 and comes with very little of what makes the Disco desirable as standard.

But that aside, the Land Rover is a very accomplished 4x4 that pretty much does what it says on the bonnet.

For further information on the Discovery 3, contact Webbers Land Rover on 01256 300615 or call into the dealership in Southern Road, Basingstoke.