From one generation to the next, it’s rare for car manufacturers to approve wholesale changes. Models tend to follow an evolutionary path and carrying over signature features such as grille design, door creases or window shapes.

That’s how Land Rover’s Discovery ended up with its somewhat contentious offset rear number plate recess. It was a feature of the previous model, although it was square rather than the elongated oblong that adorns the new model’s rump, and it was where it was for a very good reason: The spare wheel placement made it necessary.

There’s no good excuse with the new model. In fact, there’s no excuse at all, it’s just been used, awkwardly, as a tool to maintain the Discovery’s identity.

Yes, I know it can’t be seen from inside the car, and yes I know it’s not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things but, well, I just can't unsee it.

Now I’ve got that rather substantial, but largely irrelevant, rant off my chest I can talk about the rest of the car which, with its softer, less workmanlike appearance, blends seamlessly in alongside the rest of the Land Rover family. It also, Land Rover claims, broadens the Discovery’s appeal.

Despite the refreshed styling it’s under the skin where the biggest change has taken place. The two-chassis system employed by the fourth generation has been replaced by the same all-aluminium monocoque used by the Range Rover Sport.

As a result the Discovery is more spacious and, depending on the model, up to 480kg lighter. Ground clearance has dropped by 27mm, but wading depth has risen by an impressive 200mm.

Four-corner adjustable air suspension features, in conjunction with front double wishbones and a rear multi-link layout that retains Gaydon’s characteristic integral link.

Both are mounted on steel subframes designed to withstand knocks and bangs should you finally overcome the half-metre of wheel articulation.

Climb inside and, in isolation at least, you won’t be disappointed with what is a spacious cabin with an especially generous helping of headroom. Compare it to its rivals, however, and things don’t look quite so rosy, particularly behind the wheel where its 1070mm of leg room falls short of the 1140mm offered by the XC90.

Things improve in the middle row, where the 60/40 split folding seats also slide fore and aft. That flexibility helps improve conditions for passengers in the third row of seats which are heated and have their own Isofix points and USB sockets.

The boot is among the largest in the class too and, just to make your life particularly easy, tick the right options box and you can use a smartphone app – or the infotainment console – to stow all five rear-most seats away.

Very much like the exterior of the car, the interior styling pays homage to the Discovery’s more utilitarian roots while simultaneously moving it further away from them. The materials appear both rich and robust, with a functional finish that reminds you, should you require it, this is a car that will happily get its wheels dirty.

There are lots of hidden cubby holes for storage – behind the ventilation controls and under sliding cupholders – and yet the car can also be equipped with the most up-to-date luxury features such as massage, climate-controlled Windsor leather seats, four-zone climate control and a chilled drinks compartment.

Basic trim levels come equipped with Land Rover’s 8.0in InControl Touch infotainment system, which includes navigation and music streaming features.

Step up to HSE and HSE Luxury trims and the infotainment system is upgraded to the InControl Touch Pro with a 10in high-definition widescreen display, 10GB of solid-state storage, smartphone mirroring and wi-fi hotspot.

The widescreen system looks pleasing enough graphically and it’s fairly intuitive to use, but it’s less quick to respond to touchscreen inputs than rival systems.

The rear-seat entertainment system and in-car TV of our test car added to its price (although the TV option doesn’t save you from needing to spend even more if you want a ‘dual-view’ infotainment screen up front.

The significant reduction in weight has afforded Land Rover the option to fit four-cylinder engines, something that you’d have to peek into the model’s distant past to see replicated, and so my test car arrived with the SD4 Ingenium diesel under the bonnet.

That knowledge alone should provide a strong indication about exactly how the Discovery is going to drive. If the word that just crossed your mind is leisurely then you’re absolutely correct. It will hit reach 60mph in a none-too-shabby eight seconds – aided in no small part by the 500Nm of torque on tap – and max out at 121mph but, make no mistake, this car does not want to be hurried.

That kind of performance – the subtle response to pressure on the accelerator and the smooth, intelligent and unruffled gearbox – needs some context because the Discovery has been designed to fulfil the dual purpose both of family car and commercial workhorse and, with the responsibilities that brings, there was always going to be the need for some compromises.

That’s also evidenced by the handling which, while more refined and composed than any car this heavy or this tall has any right to be, has clearly not been set up to enthuse the more engaged drivers among us.

Though clearly stiffer and demonstrating improved body control the temptation to drive the Discovery quickly, to thread it through narrow country lanes at pace, remains muted because that’s simply not how best to extract the most pleasure from behind the wheel.

The steering is meaty – certainly more sirloin steak than streaky bacon – and it’s beautifully precise and deliciously communicative, feeding back all the information you need to place the car accurately on the road.

It rides almost as you would expect it to, with an arrogant indifference to pretty much anything and everything the rutted and broken roads of Britain can throw at it.

Driving the latest Discovery is like being reacquainted with an old friend, so faithful to the traits that made the model before it so loved and respected is it. Climb behind the wheel and after a few miles you’re left with no doubt that this is a genuine, 100 per cent bona fide Discovery, just so, so much better in every way.

It’s true that the majority of SUVs will spend their lives firmly ensconced on the black stuff and with that in mind it becomes as little harder to make a case for the Discovery, given its weaknesses dynamically.

Yet it is effortlessly comfortable on the road and eminently unstoppable off it. It’s breadth of abilities are enough to leave most other SUVs looking on nervously from the sidelines as it happily plugs the mud without so much as breaking sweat while still serving as a highly capable family car.

Now, if only I just get erase the image of that offset number plate from my mind...

Land Rover Discovery Sd4 HSE

Price: £56,995.00

As tested: £60,695.00

Engine: 2.0l SD4 diesel

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Max power: 240hp

Max torque: 500Nm @ 1,500rpm

Max speed: 121mph

Acceleration (0-60mph): 8sec

Urban: 36.2mpg

Extra urban: 48.7mpg

Combined: 43.5mpg

Emissions (CO2): 189g/km

For more information visit www.landrover.co.uk