Land Rover Discovery

Model Years Produced: 2017 to Current

Summary

The fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery, known colloquially as the “Discovery 5” or simply “D5,” was a continuation of the trend its predecessors set of becoming softer and more comfortable, trading off-road capability for on-road comfort and style. Admittedly, though, the D5 missed the mark on that last point – whoever designed it should be fired, because the Discovery is commonly regarded to be one of the ugliest vehicles money can buy. Look past the egg-shaped exterior, though, and you’ll find an upscale interior – not quite on par with its big brother, the Range Rover, but still very nice. Dig even deeper, and you’ll still find proper 4WD hardware underneath.

The Discovery can best be thought of as Britain’s equivalent to the Ford Explorer or perhaps the Chevrolet Tahoe. The price and performance compare reasonably well, although the Land Rover is far more refined, where as the Chevrolet traditionally has scored better on reliability (though the current iteration of the Tahoe may be turning that on its head…). If you can get past the exterior styling, you’ll find a very comfortable and livable SUV.

Model year 2021 featured a major mid-cycle refresh including new engines, a heavily upgraded infotainment system, standard 3-row seats, and more standard safety and technology features.

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Verdict

Pros

• Plush ride
• Luxurious interior
• Capable off-road performance (though admittedly not as much as its Defender sibling)

Cons

• One of the ugliest cars on the road
• Although the Discovery is one of Land Rover’s more reliable offerings, Land Rover vehicles still have a questionable reliability reputation

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Reviews

Consumer Reports

• URL: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/land-rover/discovery/2022/overview/
• Overall score: 50/100
• Road test: 71/100
• Predicted reliability: 2/5
• Predicted owner satisfaction: 2/5

Other Outlets

• Car & Driver: https://www.caranddriver.com/land-rover/discovery
• Motor Trend: https://www.motortrend.com/cars/land-rover/discovery/

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Specifications

All figures are as of 2022 model year.

• Transmission: ZF 8-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: Full-time 4WD standard w/ 2-speed transfer case
  • Electronically locking center differential standard
  • Electronically locking rear differential optional
• Base curb weight: 4865 lbs
• Max cargo capacity: N/A
• Seating: 3 rows (older models had the 3rd row as optional)
• Rear leg room: 37.4 in
• Towing capacity: 8200 lbs

Engines