2021 Land Rover Discovery Review

Name: 2021 Land Rover Discovery Review
Brand: Land Rover
Price: 39999 USD

Land Rover Discovery P300 R-Dynamic S 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Land Rover Discovery P300 S 4dr SUV Exterior

+208

The Land Rover Discovery stands out with its luxurious interior and above-average off-road performance. Prior-year Discovery models suffered from a poorly designed infotainment system, but Land Rover's newest system is much improved. A difficult-to-access third-row seat and bus-like driving position are the Disco's main drawbacks.

Used Discovery for sale

$39,999 - $54,590

4 listings

See Cars for Online Purchase See All for Sale

Appraise This Car

Land Rover Discovery model years

Land Rover Discovery for Sale

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

2021 Land Rover Discovery Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Smooth on-road driving manners
Above-average capabilities off-road
Luxurious interior with excellent materials
Strong towing capacity

Cons

Some controls are distracting to use while driving
Bus-like seating position won't be to everyone's liking
Tight rear legroom in the second and third rows
Ponderous handling around tight turns

What's new

Refreshed exterior styling
New infotainment system
New four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines; the diesel is discontinued
Part of the fifth Discovery generation introduced for 2017

Overview

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery P300 S 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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

$273/mo

$254/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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. Alternatively, you might check out rivals such as the Audi A7, Genesis GV80 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

What's it like to live with?

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.

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? Expect competent but unexciting performance. The Discovery we tested had the six-cylinder engine, and at our test track it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. That's a bit off the pace of rivals such as the Audi Q7. The Discovery doesn't leap off the line when you mash the gas, but there's plenty of smooth midrange power to make passing on the highway a breeze.

Numerous aspects compound to make the Discovery feel bigger than it is, starting with the ponderous handling. The center of gravity feels quite high, so the Disco leans noticeably when you drive through tight turns.

You do get plenty of off-road capability with the Discovery, though. It has a maximum ground clearance of 11.1 inches, which is quite high for a three-row SUV, plus multiple traction modes and an available two-speed transfer case to help you make your way over rocks and ruts.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Discovery? The Discovery is comfortable overall. The first two rows of seats feature nicely shaped seats that hold up after hours of driving, even though they don't have much thigh support. The interior is impressively quiet, and the four-zone climate control system works well to heat or cool to your liking. One downside we noticed: The Discovery's standard air suspension can produce a mildly floaty ride at times.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? We'll start by saying that the new infotainment system is much easier to use than the Discovery's previous interface. Also, the climate system is neat in that you can control fan temperature, fan speed and seat heating/ventilation with a single knob. Front and side visibility is also quite good.

But ... there are a lot of buts. Land Rover really needs to hire some people from Toyota and Honda for the next Discovery in hopes of coming up with better controls and ergonomics. Here's our list: 1) The haptic touch climate panel requires too much of your attention to use while driving; 2) The armrest snaps shut with the speed of a guillotine; 3) It's shockingly difficult to operate the upper glovebox; 4) There's also no quick release for moving the second row forward, so third-row passengers are almost entirely dependent on someone else to help them exit; 5) The driver's seat sits up way too high, giving the Discovery an almost bus-like driving position; 6) The second and third rows don't have enough legroom for a vehicle in this class; and 7) The large rear headrests are huge obstructions for looking out the back of the vehicle.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? The Disco's revised tech offerings represent a major improvement over the 2017-2020 model. The optional Meridian sound system is worth a purchase — there's good punch and clarity, and songs that can produce unwanted vibrations or noises in less able systems are reproduced faithfully here. The navigation system is not without its quirks (the predictive text algorithm makes some particularly odd choices) but is otherwise fairly intuitive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and there are many USB ports sprinkled throughout the cabin. The Discovery also has an impressive array of standard advanced safety features, including a 360-degree camera and lane keeping assist.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? The Discovery's dual load door is quite nice, with the short bottom portion ensuring your groceries won't roll out when you park on your driveway incline. Unfortunately, at 6.1 cubic feet, the amount of cargo room behind the third row is laughable. With the third-row seats lowered, you'll find that the Discovery offers, thankfully, a bit more capacity than rivals. The same goes for lowering the second row, allowing the Discovery to hold a generous 73 cubes. That's a bit more space than both the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX. Storage for small items is generous, with big door pockets and a sizable underarm bin up front. There's even a small cubby behind the climate panel.

If you plan on towing, know that the Discovery has a higher capacity than most other midsize three-row luxury SUVs. Properly equipped, it's rated to tow up to 8,200 pounds.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Discovery with the turbocharged six-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined (18 city/24 highway). Those figures are a bit below average for a midsize luxury three-row SUV. But in our real-world testing the Discovery returned 21.7 mpg, which is comparable to the test results we got for the Audi Q7 (21 mpg) and BMW X5 (21.5 mpg).

Value

7.5/10

Is the Discovery a good value? The Discovery is appropriately priced for a midsize luxury SUV. As-new pricing starts about $55,000, and our R-Dynamic S test vehicle with the upgraded powertrain and assorted features stickered for about $73,000. A similarly equipped Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 is a few thousand dollars more than the Discovery, while the Audi Q7 and BMW X5 are quite a bit cheaper. The Land Rover's interior materials are top-notch, and we noted no squeaks or rattles during our test.

Land Rover's warranty coverage is unremarkable, with bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage for four years/50,000 miles. The same goes for roadside assistance. Many rivals are more generous. Land Rover also does not offer complimentary maintenance.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The ponderous handling saps some of the fun you could have in the Discovery, but if you're plowing straight ahead, this big crossover is perfectly pleasant. The six-cylinder powertrain is a gem, even if it doesn't hustle this lug to the same extent as rivals. The Discovery is a looker inside and out, and Land Rover has done a great job making this aging SUV feel fresh from behind the wheel.

Which Discovery does Edmunds recommend?

The Discovery lineup has been slightly altered for 2021. As before, we think the middle tier is the sweet spot, so we suggest going with the Discovery S R-Dynamic. It comes with a good mix of standard and optional features, and it's available with either of the Discovery's two new engines.

2021 Land Rover Discovery models

The three-row 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.

The Discovery S and S R-Dynamic come standard with a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine (296 hp). A new turbocharged inline-six engine (355 hp) with a mild hybrid system is optional on the S R-Dynamic and standard on the HSE R-Dynamic. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard across all models.

S
The base Discovery S trim comes fairly well equipped. Standard features include:

20-inch wheels
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Panoramic glass roof
LED headlights
Foglights
Keyless entry and ignition
Power-adjustable front seats
Leather upholstery
Two-zone automatic climate control
Five-passenger seating

Standard technology and advanced driver aids include:

11.4-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Multiple USB-A and USB-C ports
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Discovery and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Discovery back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

Notable options on the Discovery S include:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Meridian audio system
Third-row seat for seven-passenger capacity
Cold Climate package

Heated steering wheel
Heated windshield
Heated headlight washers

Hot Climate package

Chilled center console
Four-zone automatic climate control
Cabin air purifier

S R-Dynamic
The Discovery S R-Dynamic has a few stylistic differences compared to the base S but is otherwise similar for standard and optional features. You can also get the S R-Dynamic with the upgraded 355-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine.

HSE R-Dynamic
The top-level Discovery HSE R-Dynamic trim comes standard with the 355-hp engine and seven-seat configuration. In addition to the S R-Dynamic features, you get:

22-inch wheels
Hands-free tailgate
Upgraded LED headlights
Adaptive cruise control
Upgraded power-adjustable front seats
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
Power-operated third-row seats
Upgraded leather upholstery
Meridian sound system
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)

Other notable options include:

Towing Pack (tow hitch plus other towing-related enhancements)
Advanced Off-Road Capability package
Ventilated second-row rear seats
More powerful Meridian sound system

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 2021 Land Rover Discovery.

5 (38%)

4 (13%)

3 (15%)

2 (7%)

1 (27%)

3.3

29 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 29 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 2021 Land Rover Discovery, so we've included reviews for other years of the Discovery since its last redesign.

See all 29 reviews of the Land Rover Discovery

Write a vehicle review

2021 Discovery Highlights

Trim:

P300 S

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$53,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$273/month
Seating	7 seats
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.

People who viewed this also viewed

Land Rover Defender
4.3 average Rating out of 3 reviews.
Starting at $56,400

See Land Rover Defender Inventory

Audi Q7
4.0 average Rating out of 2 reviews.
Starting at $59,500

See Audi Q7 Inventory

Land Rover Range Rover
5.0 average Rating out of 4 reviews.
Starting at $107,400

See Land Rover Range Rover Inventory

2021 Land Rover Discovery Review

2021 Land Rover Discovery Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery P300 S 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Discovery does Edmunds recommend?

2021 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!

2021 Discovery Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Land Rover Discovery info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Land Rover

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery P300 S 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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.}