Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery (2017 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Land Rover Discovery is a large seven-seat SUV. The current version was launched in the UK in early 2017 and is branded as the fifth-generation model, although it is really the third major iteration in the Discovery’s 30-year history.

The latest Discovery is also no longer built in the UK, as production shifted to Slovakia in 2018 (so it doesn’t get our “Best of British” badge).

The Land Rover Discovery has received a broad range of scores from the UK motoring media, ranging from below average to outstanding. Despite generating such diverse opinions, the Discovery is currently (as of August 2021) ranked equal best in its class alongside the Volvo XC90, and two points ahead of the Audi Q7.

The Discovery has received particular praise for its combination of on- and off-road ability, as well as its interior comfort and practicality. However, it has been criticised for its polarising rear styling, reliability issues and expensive price tag compared to rivals.

Poor reliability has long been a sore point for Land Rover in general, and the Discovery in particular. Latest information suggests that it’s certainly not getting any better – in a 2021 reliability survery, What Car? rated the Discovery as the second-most unreliable new car on sale.

At the end of 2020, the Discovery received a mid-life facelift that consisted of upgraded engines, much-improved infotainment system and minor styling tweaks.

As of November 2021, The Land Rover Discovery has an Expert Rating of 79%, based on 29 different reviews from the UK media.

Discovery highlights

Talented on and off the road
Practical and polished interior design
Leisurely driving experience
Roomy cabin
Improved infotainment

Discovery lowlights

Expensive when compared to rivals
Poor reliability record over many years
Cumbersome in urban areas
Poor fuel economy

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUVEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £53,150 on-road

Launched: Winter 2016/17Last updated: Winter 2020/21
Replacement due: TBA

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Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic“The Discovery is a hugely compelling package – it’s hugely comfortable, unbeatable off-road, spacious and premium.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery Sport combines seven-seat practicality, go-anywhere performance and premium style.”
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Model reviewed: 2021Score: 9 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery remains our favourite seven-seat 4×4 if you do need proper space for seven people. It’s spacious, as quiet as a luxury car and now boasts one of the best infotainment systems in the business.”
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Score: 10 / 10“The latest Land Rover Discovery is the most capable yet, blending the unrivalled off-road ability and toughness of the company’s previous 4x4s with a considerably better on-road driving experience and greater efficiency.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 10 / 10“The fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery isn’t cheap, but it’s one of the best all-round family cars money can buy.”
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Auto Trader

Score: 8.4 / 10“The lack of a plug-in hybrid option like the Volvo may be a disappointment for some but, in all other regards, the Discovery is a class act.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: D300 2021Score: 9 / 10“Facelifted Disco 5 offers almost all the Defender’s off-road ability yet is sweeter on the road.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 9 / 10“It won’t be for everyone – but for those who have a use for its Amazon-wide range of abilities, it’s a brilliant and unrivalled product.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic LandmarkScore: 8 / 10“It seems that with the advent of the new, posher Defender, the Land Rover Discovery makes more sense. While that doesn’t necessarily mean Land Rover will sell any more, I still think it deserves more attention because it is an excellent all-round proposition.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SD4 HSE LuxuryScore: 8 / 10“The big Disco will still win the hearts and minds of many middle-class families for a long list of reasons. It’s hugely capable, almost as comfortable as the old one, requires little effort from whoever’s behind the wheel and feels as much at home at a country park as Kensington High Street.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automaticScore: 9 / 10“The Discovery is already a superb package – it’s a superb long-distance cruiser, is incredibly practical and has a fantastic interior. For drivers who don’t do that many miles, this petrol version could also be ideal with its punchy nature, and it makes it an interesting alternative to the typical diesel models.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 9 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery is a premium SUV offering lots of space, ability and surprising fuel-economy, but it doesn’t come cheap.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery is hugely practical, feels very posh inside and is one of the best off-roaders you can buy, but it’s not as good to drive as some German alternatives.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7.9 / 10“The looks aren’t perfect, likewise emissions and rear-seat access, but otherwise the Land Rover Discovery is better than ever. And the previous version was darned good.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic TD6 HSE LuxuryScore: 10 / 10“The dashing new Discovery is so awesome in every way, it may have knocked the Range Rover off its perch.” (Chris Evans)
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Evo

Model reviewed: 2021Score: 7 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery has impressive new diesel engines; tech also vastly improved.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery 5 is better on road than ever before with no compromise off it.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic TD6 HSE LuxuryScore: 9 / 10“The new Land Rover Discovery has to be one of the world’s most capable all-round vehicles. It’s luxurious on the road, it seats seven, and it’s extremely capable off-road. You’re left with the feeling that whatever the weather or the environment throws at it, everything would be fine.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic TD6“Land Rover has managed to retain the distinct character of the Discovery – especially in the way it drives – but added a premium feel. The interior is much improved and now feels like it belongs in a car at this price. Because it’s not cheap.”
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Model reviewed: Range ReviewScore: 10 / 10“If you’re after a high quality family SUV that can cope with everything you can throw at it – the Land Rover Discovery is pretty much perfect. Others may handle better in corners, but nothing can match the all-round ability of the Discovery.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8.6 / 10“A great combination of space, practicality and brilliant off- and on-road ability.”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: Range review“The Land Rover Discovery 5 has built on the “go anywhere” DNA of its forefathers and added more curves, glamour, comfort and clever tech for the modern family.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: TD6 3.0-litre diesel automatic HSE LuxuryScore: 6 / 10“If you are a casual off-roader, the old Disco made a bit of sense, but this new one’s too plush and too fragile. And if your heart is set on a Land Rover, there’s the Range Rover Evoque, the good-looking and appealing Range Rover Velar and the proper and still brilliant Range Rover.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“This is an excellent large seven-seat SUV that combines luxury and off-road ability better than any of its rivals. However, there are some reliability problems, and if you never need venture off the beaten track, the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 might be the more sensible choice.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: 5Score: 8 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery is a heroically talented go-anywhere, do-anything family SUV. Just be sure you *need* this much space and ability.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“The consummate big family SUV. Spectacular off-road, now better on it, but is it just too Range Rover for its own good?”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery is hugely capable and very desirable, and equally at home both on road and off it. Just bear in mind an Audi Q7 is better to drive, plusher inside and cheaper, too.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 4.9 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery is a highly impressive machine in all sorts of respects. It’s not without its flaws, though, and overall there are rivals (such as the Audi Q7) that are more convincing.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: March 2017

90%

ADULT OCCUPANT

80%

CHILD OCCUPANT

75%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

73%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Land Rover Discovery has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming later in the year.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Land Rover Discovery has received

2021

Parkers New Car Awards – Best Seven-Seater

2020

WhatCar? Awards – Best Luxury SUV under £60K
DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Luxury SUV

2018

News UK Motoring Awards – Dog-Friendly Car of the Year
DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Luxury SUV

2017

Scottish Car of the Year
Auto Express Awards – Car of the Year
Tow Car Awards – Tow Car of the Year

2016

Tow Car Awards – Best Tow Car, 1,900kg + category

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Keyword: Land Rover Discovery