Land Rover Discovery Review 2023
The Land Rover Discovery is a big seven-seater that strikes a good balance between practicality and style. With a well-equipped interior, a spacious cabin, and a range of mild-hybrid engines, the Discovery would be a good choice for a big family.
Rivals to the Land Rover Discovery include the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Volvo XC90, and BMW X7.
Our Land Rover Discovery review covers:
- Commanding road presence with a box-like exterior
- Well-built interior and simple layout
- 172-litre boot, which can be extended to 1997 litres with rear seats stowed
- Two diesel and one petrol engine are available
- Four trim levels: S, R-Dynamic, Metropolitan, Commercial
Pros:
- Exceptional off-road performance
- Good range of customisation
- Comfortable interior, even on the back two rows
Cons:
- Its rivals are better to drive
- Some low-quality materials are used inside
- Small boot with rear seats in place
Now in its fourth generation, the exterior of the Land Rover Discovery remains close to its routes. Coming with a typical box-like body and an impressive road presence, the latest Discovery features new LED headlights, fresh bumpers, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
In terms of practicality, the Discovery fits the bill. Up front, there's plenty of head and leg room for anyone over 6 feet tall, and those in the back will have plenty of space to get comfortable, thanks to the Discovery's width. Even the two seats in the back are big and will be comfortable enough for adults.
For storage, the Discovery is top-notch. You'll find a deep pocket between the two seats that should be big enough to store all your gadgets, but if it's not, push a button on the dash to reveal a secret compartment behind the climate control panel. Handy if you're nipping into the shop and don't want to leave your phone in sight.
Boot space comes in at 172 litres as standard, which can be extended to a massive 1997 litres with the rear two seats stowed. You can do this through the infotainment system, by using the Discovery's electric intelligent seat fold, or manually by using switches in the boot.
Inside, the Discovery feels well-built and relatively luxurious. Plenty of soft-touch plastics and high-quality materials are dotted about, but you'll also find some hard plastics and a few rough edges, which is expected in a seven-seater. There's also a bunch of interior customisation available, with a choice of seat material, headlining colour, and dashboard finish.
Coming as standard in the Discovery is an 11.4-inch infotainment system which features sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The screen is responsive to touch and can also be used through the rotary controller, but it still falls short of the impressive BMW iDrive system.
Four trim levels are available for the Discovery: S, R Dynamic, Metropolitan, and Commercial.
The entry-level S comes with 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, 14-way Ebony DuoLeather heated front seats with captain's armrest, and keyless entry.
R-Dynamic adds to this with 20-inch satin dark grey wheels, Oyster/Ebony DuoLeather seats, Black contrast roof, and LED headlights with signature DRL.
The Metropolitan model comes with 22-inch diamond-turned wheels with dark grey contrast, 20-way heated and cooled front seats, a MeridianTM surrounds sound system, premium cabin lighting, a black contrast roof, and a sliding sunroof and fixed rear panoramic roof.
The range-topping Commercial comes with 21-inch dark grey wheels, 18-way heated electric memory Ebony DuoLeather front seats, a fixed bulkhead behind the first row, and underfloor load space stowage.
Three engines are available in the Discovery, two diesels and one petrol. They all use a three-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged engine, come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and feature mild-hybrid technology.
The entry-level and top pick is the D250 which comes with 249bhp, a top speed of 120mph, achieves 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds, and returns 33.8mpg. It pulls well from low revs and has good enough on-the-road performance for most situations.
If you plan on having a heavy load most of the time, the mid-range D300 will suit you best. It comes with a power output of 300hp, a top speed of 130mph, achieves 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, and returns a fuel economy of 33.7mpg. Even with a heavy load, the D300 is pretty nippy, and the transmission remains smooth and refined.
The top-of-the-range and most powerful unit is the P360. Coming with 360bhp, it has a top speed of 130mph, achieves 0-60mph in just 6.2 seconds and returns a fuel economy of 26.5mpg.
As expected for a big off-roader, handling isn't great in the Discovery. It's decent enough down country lanes and winding roads but is quite limited when driving through a town or built-up area, meaning it falls short of rivals such as the Volvo XC90 or Audi Q7.
One of the best off-roaders, the suspension in the Discovery delivers a smooth ride that tackles bumps and potholes with ease. You can also electrically lower the suspension when stationary to make exiting the Discovery easier for children.
With all engines featuring mild-hybrid technology, they're quiet and work away without causing much of a racket. As expected, road noise does increase as you begin to rev the engine, but it's completely manageable.
Prices for the new Land Rover Discovery start from £55,750.00 OTR* or to lease from £667.07 per month.
Looking to lease the Land Rover Discovery? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and has a range of leasing deals available to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase thanks to a low initial deposit, fixed monthly rentals, and a range of benefits included in the deal, such as breakdown cover and road tax.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.
