2024 Land Rover Discovery Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
More traditionally luxurious than the Defender and more rugged than the Range Rover, the Discovery has a certain in-between appeal within Land Rover's lineup. This fifth-generation Discovery was introduced for the 2018 model year and underwent a refresh for 2021. Undergoing few changes for the new model year, the 2024 Land Rover Discovery competes against other luxury three-row SUVs including the Lexus GX, Volvo EX90, and Audi Q7 .
What's New
Changes to the Discovery for 2024 are minimal. This year, midrange models carry the Dynamic SE moniker instead of R-Dynamic. Following its more thorough refresh for 2021, the Discovery gained adaptive cruise control, a wireless charging pad, three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a Meridian sound system for the 2023 model year.
What We Think
The Discovery is easy to like but hard to love. Although it drives wonderfully and delivers a convincing luxury experience on- and off-road, the Discovery comes up short on pragmatism.
Even though it's starting to get on in years, the Discovery has certain timeless appeal. Its driving manners are smooth, quiet, and comfortable in a way that won't get old. Even if some competitors have higher performance on pavement, the Discovery has what it takes to venture into the wild beyond. True, its super-popular stablemate, the Defender, is even more rugged and looks the part, but the Discovery provides compelling all-surface refinement.
If the Discovery were only a two-row SUV, it'd be even better—its problematic third row is a liability. That far-back row exists mostly in theory; the seats exist but accessing them is challenging even for small children. How they take up cargo space further reduces their worth.
Then there's the Discovery's price, which is rather high compared to its newer, better-equipped, more efficient rivals. Nevertheless, the Discovery provides solid capability and genuine luxury that might help a certain niche of adventurous drivers overlook its drawbacks.
Performance and MPGs
Regardless of which engine is equipped, the Discovery uses an eight-speed automatic transmission sending output to four-wheel drive.
The Discovery's base engine is badged P300. It's a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 that produces 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is rated by the EPA at 19/23-24 mpg city/highway depending on specification.
Optionally available is a turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6 with mild hybrid assistance. Badged P360, it makes 355 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. This engine is rated at 17/23 mpg, and it accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds in MotorTrend testing.
Discovery vs. Defender: Sibling Rivalry?
Land Rover created a hit with the Defender. This boxy brute looks tough and backs it up with serious off-road chops. Furthermore, its three body styles and several engines give it broad-ranging performance and appeal. The Defender has an undeniable cool factor, but is it better than the Discovery? Potentially not—even in extended-length 130 specification, it doesn't function much better as a three-row SUV. And although it's more capable off-road, on-road it doesn't move as elegantly as the Discovery. Aesthetics aside, the Discovery and Defender are each good enough to deserve a test drive before deciding on one or the other.
Safety Features
Every 2024 Discovery comes equipped with front automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. To add confidence in off-road excursions, a wade sensing feature detects safe depth limits when fording water.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
On paper, the Disco offers more third-row legroom than some of its rivals, but in our experience, this back row feels cramped. Accessing the third row is difficult, too, because of the tiny aperture created when the second row is folded forward. Additionally, this Land Rover has relatively little cargo capacity.
Technology
In addition to a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, every Discovery comes equipped with an 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen; a head-up display is optional or included depending on trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation are standard. There are USB ports and a wireless charging pad to keep devices juiced up.
Recommended Trim
Given the Discovery's poor value and somewhat lacking feature set, it's best to keep things simple and stick with the base S trim. At about $61,500 to start, the Discovery S already isn't cheap; a larger budget is better spent on a different SUV. At least the Discovery S comes with an upscale interior, air suspension, and plenty of driver assist features, just like every other 2024 Discovery. Its P300 I-4 engine isn't noteworthy but gets the job done. And for its relatively low price compared to other Discovery models, the S trim leaves space for off-road upgrades.
