The Land Rover Discovery has been known as one of the ultimate off-road overland vehicles. Its ability to transport families over treacherous terrain and show off its undeniable off-road skills has made it an important player in Land Rover's lineup. The Disco seats seven, and its air suspension helps it clear obstacles in difficult terrain. Its capability takes families where few vehicles can, and it does it in absolute comfort.
Besides offering those important features, the Discovery can be powered by two different engines, it's available in four different trims, and its standard four-wheel-drive system can be paired with an optional two-speed transfer case for better traction (as part of a $1,530 Capability package).
The Disco hasn't received any significant updates since the current fourth generation was launched in 2017, but it continues to be a critical vehicle in the luxury SUV segment. How is Land Rover's SUV keeping up with today's families?
2020 Land Rover Discovery: The Drive
Although some manufacturers have pulled their diesel engines from the U.S. market, Land Rover continues to offer the Discovery with a 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel, which delivers 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The diesel is optional in the Discovery, with the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 being the standard propulsor. We recently got a chance to drive the gas engine, which continues to deliver 340 hp and 332 lb-ft and sends that power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic.
On the winding roads or the freeway, that power seemed to be plenty for the Discovery. Though the V-6 is no V-8, the Land Rover didn't feel like it was lacking boost. During hard acceleration, like when going uphill or merging onto the freeway, the engine worked hard while keeping up with the demand from the driver, but the power was still there. Whether Sport mode is engaged or not, the gearbox shifted quickly and smoothly, though it upshifted early on a couple of occasions. But press down the throttle and it will downshift without hesitating.
Our Discovery HSE model was equipped with the optional air suspension, which is well tuned for driving in the city. Although it deftly absorbs bumps and ruts, the Disco feels a little bouncy on harsher roads. This was especially true during our drive loop in the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Southern California, an area where land movement is fairly common. But on twisty roads, the Discovery's body roll was well controlled despite its bigger frame. Although it's taller and bigger than many other SUVs, it doesn't feel like it on the road
Its steering feels light and sharp, but we wish it delivered more feedback.
Although the current limitations prevented us from going off-road, we've driven the Discovery off the pavement on a few occasions. During its launch in 2017, we headed to the Southern Utah canyons to drive the Disco for a few hundred miles and were impressed by its capability, particularly its approach, breakover, and departure angles. But the last time we took it to a trail, the Disco left us stranded after getting a flat tire on our off-road SUV comparison. The main problem wasn't the flat tire itself but the thin spare tire that comes with the vehicle (its street tires didn't help, either). We parked the Disco off the trail and limped it back home the next day. However, in a moment of complete déjà vu, I got another flat tire in the 2020 Discovery, this time while I was driving home one night. Thankfully this Land Rover included a full-size spare—a $520-$580 option depending on wheel size thait's totally worth getting, if you ask me. A tire upgrade is something we'd seriously consider when purchasing a new Discovery.
2020 Land Rover Discovery: The Interior
As a family luxury SUV, the Discovery offers a decent experience behind the wheel and treats its occupants nicely.
Open one of the front doors, and you will be greeted by a polished cabin with a 10-inch touchscreen as the main display. The two-tone interior of our HSE, with a beige and black palette, gives the Discovery's cabin a premium look, and the wood trim on the dash and door panels, though sparse, add character.
But the real experience kicks off when you start the ignition. The infotainment screen, digital driver's display, and buttons on the center console light up, and the transmission's rotary gear selector rises. Designers paid close attention to the details, tailoring an interior that connects with the driver and other occupants.
Land Rover made sure the driver was the center of attention in the Discovery. The digital instrument cluster has modern graphics and a nav system; it's no Virtual Cockpit like Audi has, but it's well executed.
Our HSE came with the optional third row, and although there's space for seven passengers, those sitting in the third row will have some trouble with legroom and headroom, as space is very tight. It's perhaps best to think of the Discovery as a 5+2, then.
Everywhere else, the cabin is pretty spacious. The second row slides fore and aft, and the seatbacks can recline, leaving more legroom and making the seating position more comfortable. Those seated in the second row will find the cabin airy thanks to the panoramic sunroof.
If there's one area of the interior the Discovery should improve, it's the infotainment system. Land Rover's newest system can't come soon enough, as the one currently in the Disco has some problems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, but in our time in the vehicle CarPlay crashed at least a couple of times, and the worst part was having to shut down the engine and wait for all the screens to turn off in order to use it again.
2020 Land Rover Discovery: Should I Buy It?
Our HSE model came with a starting price of $60,725, but with about $15,000 in options, its price rose quickly to an eye-watering $76,255. But that's how the off-road SUV segment is these days—as capabilities rise, so does price. And that's especially true in a luxury brand. You get a lot for your money, though, and you'll see that in the Discovery's cabin. The engine, though not super powerful, has plenty of punch for a family SUV, and the air suspension does a great job minimizing body roll.
The Discovery continues to be one of the greatest off-road family SUVs, and although its infotainment system has room for improvement, the overall experience is still worthwhile.
2020 Land Rovery Discovery HSE
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