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Land Rover Discovery

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Land Rover Discovery

(2017 - present)

    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 July 2023) ranked a point behind the venerable Volvo XC90, and two points behind its sister seven-seat SUV, the Land Rover Defender.

    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, and it finished in the same lowly place in 2022. Full details in our ‘Reliability rating’ section below.

    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 July 2023, the Land Rover Discovery has an Expert Rating of 77%, based on 30 different reviews published by the UK’s top motoring sites.

    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
    • Very poor reliability record over many years
    • Cumbersome in urban areas
    • Poor fuel economy

    Key specifications


    Body style: Large SUV
    Engines: petrol, diesel
    Price: From £60,540 on-road

    Launched: Winter 2016/17
    Last updated: Autumn 2021
    Replacement due: TBA


    Media reviews


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

    The Car Expert

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    Auto Express

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    Auto Trader

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    Autocar

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    Car

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    Car Keys

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    Carbuyer

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    Carwow

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    Company Car Today

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    Daily Mail

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    Evo

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    Green Car Guide

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    Heycar

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    Honest John

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    Parkers

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    The Sun

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    The Sunday Times

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    The Telegraph

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Which?

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    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 5 stars
    Date tested: March 2017
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 90%
    Child protection: 80%
    Vulnerable road users: 75%
    Safety assist: 73%

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    As of July 2023, the Land Rover Discovery has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

    Like most Land Rovers, the Discovery has earned an abysmal reputation for reliability. As of October 2022, it has a shockingly bad reliability rating of 18% – one of the lowest scores of any car we currently track. Our data is provided to us exclusively from warranty records from our partner, MotorEasy. This applies to both this generation of Discovery and earlier generations.

    In addition to being woefully unreliable, the average repair cost for a Discovery when (not if) it goes wrong is also one of the highest of any new car – almost £1,700. In particular, engine issues are an expensive problem, with an average repair bill getting close to £6,000. Yes, that number is correct. We haven’t accidentally added a zero.

    However, it’s not just our data that paints the Discovery in a bad light. In 2022, a reliability study from What Car? rated this generation of Discovery as the second-worst new car on sale and worst luxury SUV (Land Rovers filled all three bottom places on the luxury SUV table). Land Rover was also the second-worst brand for reliability, ahead of only Jeep.

    If you own or are considering buying a used Land Rover Discovery, we’d strongly recommend a used car warranty that covers all of the potential trouble spots shown in the charts above.

    Awards


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

    2021

    • Parkers New Car Awards – Best Seven-Seater

    2020

    • DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Luxury SUV
    • What Car? Awards – Best Luxury SUV under £60K

    2018

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

    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

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Land Rover Discovery, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Audi Q7 | BMW X5 | Land Rover Defender | Lexus RX | Mercedes-Benz GLE | Range Rover Sport | SsangYong Rexton | Toyota Land Cruiser | Volkswagen Touareg | Volvo XC90


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    Subscribe to a Land Rover Discovery


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    The Land Rover Discovery has received a broad range of media reviews, but has received consistent praise for its off-road ability.Land Rover Discovery