The 2021 Land Rover Discovery is a three-row midsize luxury SUV that distinguishes itself from the rest with its superior off-road capabilities. It represents the family-friendly choice in the Land Rover lineup, with the premium luxury Range Rover above it and the rugged Defender supporting it.
This year brings a handful of small changes, adding up to the most significant update for the Discovery since it was redesigned in 2017. New LED headlights and bumpers freshen up the exterior look. Meanwhile on the inside, a new infotainment system debuts with a larger touchscreen, and redesigned second-row seats promise greater comfort. There's also a new R-Dynamic model that adds some sporty visual touches, such as gloss black exterior trim and two-tone leather in the cabin. The biggest changes occur under the hood, with a new entry-level four-cylinder and a turbocharged six-cylinder with mild hybrid technology. Unfortunately, the diesel motor has been discontinued.
Overall, we think the Land Rover Discovery is a smart pick for a luxury SUV. Read our Expert Rating below for our in-depth take. Alternatively, you might check out rivals such as the Audi A7, Genesis GV80 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
We spent a year with a 2017 Land Rover Discovery not long after this current generation made its debut. We found the Discovery comfortable and were impressed with its off-road capabilities, but its infotainment system continually frustrated us with various issues. That system has been updated along with a number of other things for 2021, but many of our observations still hold true of the current Discovery.
The 2021 Land Rover Discovery is a midsize luxury SUV designed to be just as capable off-road as it is on city streets. For 2021, the Discovery is available in three trim levels: S, S R-Dynamic and HSE R-Dynamic. You also have a choice of engines and passenger capacity.
2021 Land Rover Discovery
2021 Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 benefited from a refresh in 2020 that brought with it updated exterior styling and new in-car tech. It was already one of our favorite luxury SUVs, and the changes only made things better. It's slightly larger than the Discovery, meaning there's more room for people and cargo. We also much prefer Audi's tech and driver aids. Both come standard with all-wheel drive and turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The Q7 also comes standard with a third row of seats.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is one of the best vehicles on the road today, no matter what class we're discussing. Its interior has a premium feel that the Discovery can't quite match. The tech and driver aids are more appealing than the Land Rover's too. Both vehicles are available with a third row of seats. While all-wheel drive is available on the Mercedes, the Land Rover includes it as standard on all trims.
It's not exactly the same, but it's easy to think of the Velar as a more stylish and well-appointed alternative to the Discovery. Both feature the same tech and driver aids, and both offer a similar level of features and options. The Velar is smaller and lacks the Discovery's available third row of seats. It's also slightly more expensive than the Discovery, so expect to pay more for a similarly equipped model.
The 2021 Land Rover Discovery is a three-row midsize luxury SUV that distinguishes itself from the rest with its superior off-road capabilities. It represents the family-friendly choice in the Land Rover lineup, with the premium luxury Range Rover above it and the rugged Defender supporting it.
A new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine becomes the base engine for the refreshed Discovery. It produces 296 horsepower, and, if it's the same one as in the Land Rover Defender (as we believe), it has 295 lb-ft of torque and drives the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
We give the current Discovery high scores for overall comfort and expect the refreshed 2021 model to improve upon that. The second-row seats have been redesigned with more padding, improved lateral support and longer seat cushions. These improvements should make long road trips feel shorter for those middle-row passengers.
The Discovery has a good blend of industrial heft and luxurious refinement. The nicest materials are presented above the waistline, while more durable surfaces cover surfaces below. The first and second rows of seats are spacious enough for larger passengers, while the third row is best reserved for smaller occupants. Some controls are oddly placed when compared to the layout in more traditional SUVs (most notably the window switches are at the top of the door panel), but after a short time they become second nature.
Technology has historically been disappointing with the Discovery, and Land Rover as a whole. Our previous complaints about the Discovery's infotainment system included consistently slow responses, mixed with occasional glitches that were sources of real frustration. The 2021 Discovery gets the new Pivi Pro infotainment system that promises quick reactions and fewer headaches. It is incorporated within a new 11.4-inch touchscreen and features over-the-air updates.
Points are awarded for the Discovery's large cargo area that is versatile and easily configured. As was the case with the previous year, owners have the ability to fold the second- and third-row seats via switches in the cargo space or through the infotainment screen or a smartphone app. We also like the abundance of storage bins and pockets for passengers, as well as the Discovery's ability to tow up to 8,200 pounds when properly equipped.
Edmunds saysThe Land Rover Discovery is one of the few vehicles in its class with real off-road capabilities, but they don't come at the expense of comfort or refinement. The Discovery is not only worth considering if you're the outdoorsy type — it's a solid three-row luxury SUV, too. The enhancements for 2021 only make it more compelling.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery:
The least-expensive 2021 Land Rover Discovery is the 2021 Land Rover Discovery P360 R-Dynamic S 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $61,900.
Other versions include:
