Land Rover has won two major awards for 2004 from What MPV and 4x4? magazine, with the all-new Discovery 3 taking the 4x4 of the Year accolade, and the company as a whole winning 4x4 Manufacturer of the Year award.

Chosen as the best vehicle in its category, ahead of the BMW X3 and Mitsubishi Outlander, the Discovery 3 was described as having “superb refinement, comfort, driveability and MPV-style seven-seat practicality.” It was also said by the magazine to be “a champion off-roader, whoever is behind the wheel – thanks to the new 4x4 control system, Terrain Response™.”

What MPV and 4x4? magazine editor, Bob Murray, said: “Let there be no doubt: Land Rover’s expertise along with the most thorough testing programme in the company’s history have resulted in a world-beater, and the deserving first recipient of 4x4 of the year.”

Commenting on the inaugural 4x4 manufacturer of the year title, Land Rover UK managing director, Phil Popham, said: “We are very proud of these awards and the recognition they represent of Land Rover’s new breed of products. The Discovery 3 is already proving itself as a very attractive and capable product to critics and customers alike.

The all-new Discovery 3 is due for release in Australia in the 1st Quarter 2005.