2020 Land Rover Discovery Review

Name: 2020 Land Rover Discovery Review
Brand: Land Rover
Price: 29977 USD

2020 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

2020 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 4dr SUV Exterior. Options Shown.

2020 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 4dr SUV Exterior. Dynamic Package Shown.

+161

The Land Rover Discovery isn't as capable off-road as the LR4 it replaced. However, it's far more comfortable on-road than its predecessor and more suited for trail adventures than most rivals. Its interior is seriously luxurious and has clever storage solutions. Downsides include a sluggish powertrain, a smaller-than-average back seat, and an excruciatingly slow infotainment system.

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SUV
Diesel

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2020 Land Rover Discovery Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Smooth driving manners on the road
Above-average capabilities off-road
Interior is luxurious with excellent materials
Clever features in terms of utility and technology

Cons

Touchscreen interface can be slow and difficult to operate
Diesel engine option has little advantage over standard gas engine

What's new

A new Landmark Edition trim debuts above the base SE model
Blind-spot monitoring and upgraded mirrors are now standard
The SE trim loses standard navigation but gains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Part of the fifth Discovery generation introduced for 2017

Overview

While Land Rover built its reputation on having the most off-road-capable SUVs in the world, some of its more recent offerings are tuned for on-road performance. The 2020 Land Rover Discovery falls somewhere in the middle. Many rivals that try to skirt this line fail to deliver on one side of the spectrum or the other. But the Discovery is adept at delivering a pleasurable experience no matter what street or trail you want to conquer.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Land Rover Discovery SE 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$305/mo

$254/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

The Discovery's balanced position in the market coincides with its role in Land Rover's lineup. This midsize SUV presents more room, power and off-road ability than the compact Range Rover Evoque or Discovery Sport. It doesn't offer the mechanical upgrades that make the Range Rover so proficient on rocky roads, but the Discovery also costs much less.

On its own, the Land Rover Discovery is a thoroughly enjoyable SUV. The cabin is luxuriously trimmed, the seating position is comfortable, and there's ample cargo room. And though the Discovery can be expensive in its upper trims, there are options here — such as massaging front seats and a ventilated second row — that are exotic for this class.

There are a few downsides, chiefly the infotainment system. Simply put, the interface is confusing and the system doesn't load all of its features right away. In our tests, it took a whopping 20 seconds to get a satellite radio signal and 30 seconds for the system to reconnect with our phones on start-up. Other drawbacks include less second-row legroom than rivals and some odd placement of controls. Overall, however, the Discovery has the luxury and off-road bona fides to keep it from being overshadowed by rivals, including the redesigned Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5.

What's it like to live with the Discovery?

The Edmunds editorial team acquired a 2017 Land Rover Discovery First Edition for a full year, logging 20,000 miles. We were fans of the Disco's off-road abilities, but the infotainment system was a constant source of frustration. The 2020 Discovery benefits from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, which weren't offered on our long-term vehicle. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations apply.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Discovery drive? The Discovery feels composed and pleasant to drive. The engine makes a respectable amount of power, but the standard D driving mode is slow to downshift when you want more power. S mode is much more responsive. The gas engine's 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds is respectable but not life-changing. The brake pedal feels reassuringly firm and linear. The body remained stable during simulated-panic stops.

The steering is tuned quite well for an SUV, with a delicate, precise feel and quick return to center. Our tester with the optional air suspension didn't lean much when navigating tight, twisty corners. The off-road traction control system is very good, but the door edges are quite low.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the Discovery? It's easy to spend a full day on an extended road trip in the Discovery. The seats are supportive, and the center armrests can be set to whatever angle you want. The air suspension strikes a nice balance between soft and firm in the default Auto mode. Plus, the independent suspension makes it agreeable on washboard dirt roads.

The optional four-zone air-conditioning system is easy to use and cools the cabin effectively on a hot day. Heated and ventilated seats are available, with controls that are cleverly integrated with the temperature control knob. The cabin is pleasantly quiet, and the doors seal tight. The Discovery's sleek shape helps keep wind noise to a minimum.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? It's easy to get in and out of the Discovery — provided you can open the long doors far enough. Once inside you'll find a highly adjustable seat that affords a commanding driving position. The steering wheel and gauges are placed just about perfectly. Outward visibility is very good, but the rear headrests are a little bulky.

There's good headroom here, but the back seat isn't as spacious as those of rivals when there are tall front-seat occupants. The doors are too close to passengers, making for tight elbow and shoulder room. The only major problems are oddly placed controls and a somewhat difficult-to-use infotainment screen.

Technology

6.0/10

How’s the tech? Most of the Discovery's technology features are a disappointment. The infotainment system takes far too long to connect to satellite radio or your phone, so the driver is forced to listen to FM/AM until everything else boots up. The slow start-up sequence is nearly inexcusable. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, which alleviates the poor smartphone integration that earlier Discovery models suffered from.

As with most luxury vehicles, advanced safety features are almost all optional, but all the latest and greatest aids are available here. We also like that blind-spot monitoring, low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors are all standard.

Storage

9.0/10

How’s the storage? Space utilization and towing abilities are among the Discovery's strengths. If so equipped, you can remotely fold the seats with controls inside the hatch, the rear doorjamb and even the front touchscreen. The resulting load floor is flat and expansive, and the liftover is relatively low. There are lots of places to store stuff inside, too, but watch out for the center console lid — it isn't damped and comes down like a guillotine. Car seat anchors and tethers are all easy to find.

The Discovery has the potential to be a good towing vehicle, too. Tow ratings are strong, the air suspension can compensate for tongue weight, and a trailer backup assistance system is available.

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Discovery is rated at 18 mpg combined (16 city/21 highway), slightly better than a Lexus GX 460 but worse than German rivals. In a yearlong test of a Discovery, we drove about 21,000 miles and averaged 17.1 mpg. The best tank was 21.3 mpg, and the Discovery only met the highway number once in its 70 or so fill-ups. The onboard meter consistently exaggerated fuel economy by double-digit margins.

Value

7.0/10

Is the Discovery a good value? As is the case with most premium vehicles, it's easy to catapult the Discovery's sticker price past the relatively affordable base MSRP. But that's what you get with an SUV that offers a ton of luxury and off-road upgrades. Besides, the interior materials are gorgeous and the design is well-executed.

Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties both stand at four years/50,000 miles. The former is standard for the segment, but some rivals have better powertrain coverage. Roadside assistance with towing up to 50 miles away from home also lasts four years/50,000 miles. Warranty-related breakdowns that occur more than 50 miles from home are eligible for reimbursement of reasonable expenses.

Wildcard

8.0/10

Compared to its predecessor, the Land Rover LR4, the Discovery looks sleeker and sportier, and that's pretty much how it drives. Yet its advanced traction modes and towing ability hints at the performance capability that makes it feel connected to the brand itself. On the flip side, the LR4 was more capable off-road.

Which Discovery does Edmunds recommend?

The Discovery's sweet spot is right in the middle, but choosing between the Landmark Edition or the HSE is tough. They cost roughly the same, and a handful of added features are shared between the two trims. We think the HSE is the better deal since it comes with a package that is optional on the Landmark Edition, along with some extra luxury features such as a power steering column, hands-free tailgate and rear USB ports.

2020 Land Rover Discovery models

The 2020 Land Rover Discovery is a midsize SUV that comes standard with seating for five, though a third row with seating for two more passengers is optional. It comes in four trim levels (SE, Landmark Edition, HSE and HSE Luxury), with a plethora of options available for each. Two powertrains are available: a supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V6 (340 horsepower, 332 lb-ft of torque) and a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 (254 hp, 443 lb-ft of torque). Both send power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The base SE model comes with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, keyless ignition and entry, a 10-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and a 10-speaker sound system.

On the safety front, you get forward collision warning with low-speed automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam control, lane keeping assist, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking cameras with sensors.

The optional 7 Seat package adds a third row of seating, plus a twin-speed transfer case and an electronic air suspension. The Capability package includes the mechanical upgrades in the 7 Seat package, plus additional Terrain Response settings.

Moving up to the Landmark Edition adds the 7 Seat package, along with 20-inch wheels, an aero body kit, black exterior trim, driver-seat memory functions for the side mirrors, four-zone climate control, a navigation system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, an upgraded audio system, and satellite and HD radio. It also includes the Cold Climate package (heated windshield washer jets, a heated steering wheel, and heated front and rear seats).

Both the SE and the Landmark Edition are available with the Drive package, which adds high-speed automatic braking, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.

The HSE supplements the SE's features with 20-inch wheels, a hands-free tailgate, a front sunroof, three-zone climate control, a power-adjustable steering column, a digital instrument cluster, second-row USB ports, and several of the Landmark Edition's additions. You also get the contents of the Drive package.

The top-trim HSE Luxury kicks things off with the 7 Seat and Cold Climate packages. It also includes additional front-seat adjustments, power-reclining second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, upgraded leather, additional leather trim throughout the cabin, upgraded ambient lighting, and a 14-speaker audio system.

As expected of a well-rounded luxury SUV, the Discovery has many available extras. The most notable packages include the Driver Assist (lane centering assist, a 360-degree parking camera, and the contents of the Drive package) and Capability Plus (Terrain Response 2, a locking rear differential and All-Terrain Progress Control — think of it as a low-speed cruise control for off-roading). There are also packages that add ventilated front- and second-row seats, heated third-row seats and massaging front seats.

Significant stand-alone options include 21- and 22-inch wheels, a trailer hitch with an electrical connector, a cooler compartment in the front console box, a heated windshield, a cabin air ionization system, a head-up display, and a rear entertainment system. Land Rover's Activity Key — a fitness-tracker wristband that also acts as a key to unlock the vehicle — is available for all trim levels.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#18 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Land Rover Discovery from 2008-2022.}

$958/yr

vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.85x/yr

vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

12%

vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Land Rover Discovery.

5 (39%)

4 (14%)

3 (11%)

2 (7%)

1 (29%)

3.3

28 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 28 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Get used to driving a loaner

Johnny Walker, 03/05/2019

2018 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A)

We've owned Land Rover products for nearly 20 years, and 5 years ago we left for Toyota (we purchased a 4runner and a Lexus SUV) because the frustrations of owning a Land Rover were interrupting our life (the service manager and Land Rover and I used to joke, that I should park the cars at the dealership, because they spent more time in the shop than in my garage). After, NEVER having …

Don't ever buy a Land Rover

Carl Morgan, 12/19/2018

2018 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury Td6 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A)

We bought a brand new 2018 car from Land Rover. Within 30 days it was in the shop for repair. Over the next 90 days it was sent back for repair 5 more times. They told us it was a factory defect, and then over the next 3 months we were given a old, used, late model Land Rover while they came up with some "options" for us. All while we continued to make monthly payments on a $92,000 car. …

Just dont do it! Worst auto purchase I have done.

Chi Wally, 01/22/2020

2018 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

Problem after problem. After at least 15 visits to the dealer my interior computer is still not working correctly. If it dose its slow, unresponsive and just down right antiquated. I feel like Im driving an outdated Iphone that is no longer supported. After 2 years Im trying to trade it in and the resale value is very low. Your better off spending your money on another option.

Love my Disco!

AHoff, 10/03/2020

2020 Land Rover Discovery HSE 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

I need to say I love the my Discovery HSE! The exterior is so different then what you see everyday on the road and that's a good thing. The interior is great, with soft touch materials and great feel/quality of the fabric and seats. The tech is great and I'm not sure why people complain about the load times of the display screen or ease of use as I find it to be the opposite. The …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Land Rover Discovery, so we've included reviews for other years of the Discovery since its last redesign.

See all 28 reviews of the Land Rover Discovery

Write a vehicle review

2020 Discovery Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$52,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$305/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	41.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Discovery models:

Emergency Braking: Applies the brakes to stop the vehicle if the risk of a front collision is detected and the driver does not react to warning signals.
Lane Keep Assist: Applies steering input to keep you in your lane if you begin to drift out of it.
Driver Condition Monitor: Suggests the driver take a break if steering inputs indicate fatigue.

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2020 Land Rover Discovery Review

2020 Land Rover Discovery Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Land Rover Discovery SE 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

What's it like to live with the Discovery?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Discovery does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Land Rover Discovery models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Get used to driving a loaner

Don't ever buy a Land Rover

Just dont do it! Worst auto purchase I have done.

Love my Disco!

2020 Discovery Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Land Rover Discovery SE 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}