2019 Land Rover Discovery Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　

What's new

Minor changes to standard and optional feature availabilityPart of the fifth Discovery generation introduced for 2017

　　The 2019 Land Rover Discovery is a distinctive offering among three-row midsize luxury SUVs. Along with its excellent road manners, the Discovery comes with impressive off-road capability and a posh interior. Our biggest complaint involves the infotainment system's clunky interface. But if you can adapt it, you'll find plenty to like here. This vehicle can haul up to seven people over almost any terrain while swaddling them in premium materials.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Land Rover Discovery SE 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$259/mo  for Discovery SE

　　Discovery SE

　　SE 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) - $52,300 MSRPSE Td6 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A) - $54,300 MSRPHSE 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) (Most Popular) - $59,100 MSRPHSE Td6 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A) - $61,100 MSRPHSE Luxury 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A) - $66,500 MSRPHSE Luxury Td6 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A) - $68,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　You'll be hard-pressed to find a competing vehicle that offers the Discovery's mix of strengths. The Lexus GX 460, for instance, offers lots of off-road capability. But when you factor its subpar ride quality and aging design, it can't match the Discovery as a luxury vehicle. You might also look at any number of luxury crossover SUVs, such as the Mercedes GLE or the Volvo XC90. They'll wow you with materials quality and visual design but come up short when it's time for off-road shenanigans.

　　

What's it like to live with?

To learn more about the Land Rover Discovery of this generation, read about our experiences from a full year of living with a 2017 Land Rover Discovery First Edition. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy. Not surprisingly, we were fans of the Disco's off-road abilities, but the infotainment system was a constant source of frustration. The 2019 Discovery benefits from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, which weren't offered on our long-term vehicle. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations apply.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.6 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury (supercharged 3.0L V6 | 8-speed automatic | 4WD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Land Rover Discovery has received some revisions, including the addition of an updated infotainment system. Our findings remain applicable to this year's Land Rover Discovery, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.6 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.5
Interior	7.5
Utility	9.0
Technology	5.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The Discovery is composed and pleasant to drive. The V6 engine makes a respectable amount of power, but the economy-minded calibration in D mode dulls the edge unless you use S mode.

　　

Acceleration

6.5

　　The supercharged 3.0-liter engine delivers sufficient oomph for merging, passing or climbing hills, but those in a hurry should use S mode instead of D because it sharpens pedal response. In either mode, acceleration to 60 mph takes 7.1 seconds, a mediocre result for a luxury SUV.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　Around town, the pedal feels reassuringly firm and linear. But the Discovery's 5,500-pound bulk starts to show in emergency brake use; our simulated-panic stop from 60 mph took 126 feet. That's a bit longer than average, but the Disco remained utterly stable and composed.

　　

Steering

8.5

　　The steering has a precise feel, and the amount of returnability — how quickly it comes back to center if you let go after turning — is amazing. Its positive sense of straight ahead makes it effortless on the open road, even in the face of crosswinds or severely canted roads.

　　

Handling

8.5

　　The Disco doesn't lean nearly as much as you'd expect when driving around turns. It changes direction willingly and remains composed through long corners. It's a really nice vehicle to drive up winding mountain roads on the way to the cabin or the ski lodge.

　　

Drivability

7.5

　　The smooth-shifting transmission generally feels willing and able. But the gas pedal spring feels powerful. You can't simply squeeze gently on the pedal and roll onto the gas; you've got to be a bit more deliberate. Rotate the shifter from D to S mode, and everything gets much more responsive.

　　

Off-road

7.0

　　It's better than expected off-road because, even in Auto mode with one wheel off the ground, the traction control system keeps the Discovery going forward without unnecessary wheelspin. But articulation and clearance are worse than in the previous LR4, and its lower door edges are ultra-low.

　　

Comfort

8.5

　　It'd be easy to spend a full day on an extended road trip in the Discovery, and that's just what we did. The seats are supportive, the ride is comfortable on a variety of surfaces, the cabin is quiet, and the air conditioning easily copes with elevated summer desert temperatures.

　　

Seat comfort

8.5

　　The firm yet nicely shaped seats proved to be comfortable over long distances. A readily adjustable lumbar is a welcome touch, and the center armrests can be set to whatever angle you want. There are tri-level heated seats, and cooling is available.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　The Discovery strikes a very good balance, neither too soft nor too hard, when driven in the default Auto mode. Its independent suspension makes it agreeable on washboard dirt roads, too.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.5

　　The cabin is pleasantly quiet, and those doors seal tightly. The Disco's sleek shape helps keep wind noise to a minimum.

　　

Climate control

8.5

　　The powerful system cools the cabin effectively, and the controls are very easy to understand and use. The heated and cooled seat controls are nicely integrated into the temp setting switches, too. Middle-row passengers have easy access to controls and vents of their own. It's hard to find fault.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　Getting in and out of the Discovery is easy — provided you can open the long doors far enough. Once inside, you'll find a commanding driving position with good outward visibility. Some of the controls are odd, though, and the otherwise roomy cabin can feel narrow at the elbow and shoulder.

　　

Ease of use

6.5

　　The Discovery is generally OK, but the rotary shifter is odd and the off-road terrain dial icons are hard to decipher. The window switches sit on the top edge of the doors. The audio system operation is 100 percent touchscreen, except for a volume knob on the passenger side.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　The air suspension lets the Disco lower when parked, and overlapping doors make for a narrow sill that stays mud- and slush-free in inclement conditions. But the doors are long, and they can be hard to open fully when you're parked in tight spaces.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　The commanding seating position is highly adjustable, and the steering wheel and gauges are placed just about perfectly. The telescopic steering wheel pulls back a fair amount, but our resident tall guy wouldn't complain if it came back another half-inch.

　　

Roominess

7.5

　　The Discovery has lots of head- and legroom, but the door feels a little close at the elbow and shoulder, and the high center console lid forces your elbow close to your side. Rear legroom is OK most of the time, but a tall driver could change the experience.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　It is really easy to see out, even over the hood. A rearview camera offers many angles, but the selection controls are fiddly. The biggest problem is those bulky rear headrests, especially the center one in the middle seat. It does fold but not elegantly.

　　

Quality

8.5

　　This Discovery feels very well put-together inside and out. The materials are gorgeous, and the design is effective at hiding seams and joints, making it all feel carved, not assembled. We have no complaints.

　　

Utility

9.0

　　The Discovery looks less boxy than the LR4, but that doesn't mean it has lost a significant degree of utility. There's ample cargo space, the available automated seat-folding system is terrific, it easily accommodates child seats, and it has the chops to be a decent tow vehicle.

　　

Small-item storage

9.0

　　It has two glove compartments, a decent-size console box that can cool drinks, big front door pockets, a cubby for a phone, and a hidden cubby where the CD player lives. The rear-seat door pockets are tiny, but each front seatback makes up for that with two pockets.

　　

Cargo space

9.5

　　You can remotely fold the rear seats from a few locations. The resulting load floor is flat and expansive. The rear liftover is agreeably low for a luxury SUV, too. The fold-down inside tailgate can be used to fence in loose cargo or as a place to sit and change shoes — or diapers.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

　　There's excellent access to the well-marked LATCH/Isofix anchors in the middle row, and the top tether anchors are equally easy to find and use. Note: The optional headrest-mounted entertainment screens are bulky and might complicate the installation of rear-facing infant seats.

　　

Towing

8.0

　　We're always a little unsure of European automaker tow ratings, but the stated 8,201-pound capacity is excellent. The Discovery's air suspension system can compensate for tongue weight, and the backup camera has multiple angles. A trailer backup assistance system is also available.

　　

Technology

5.5

　　For a brand-new car, we expected better. We can understand non-standard driver aids on a luxury car, where everything seems to be optional. But the weak performance from the infotainment system — the slow boot-up cycle and the wonky touchscreen interface — is below average for the class.

　　

Audio & navigation

4.0

　　During our initial test of the Discovery, we had some serious issues with the boot-up of the audio system. In subsequent testing, we've found the Disco's touchscreen and boot-up to be more reliable but still slow.

　　

Driver aids

7.0

　　Our test car had adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. They were unobtrusive and didn't issue false alarms. Some of the driver aids and safety features are pricey options. You'd expect them to be standard on a vehicle like this.

　　

Which Discovery does zzdcar recommend?

　　We recommend the midtier HSE. It has excellent feature upgrades compared to the base SE and gives you greater access to options. Consider adding the Drive Assist package, with its surround-view parking camera and extra safety features, and the Smartphone package for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. If you're tackling slippery mud or rough terrain, get the Capability Plus package.

　　

2019 Land Rover Discovery models

　　The 2019 Land Rover Discovery only comes in three trim levels, but a plethora of option packages makes things a bit more complicated. There are two engines available: a 3.0-liter supercharged gasoline V6 (340 horsepower, 332 pound-feet of torque) and a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 (254 hp, 443 lb-ft of torque). Both send power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

　　The base SE model comes with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a hands-free tailgate, front and rear fixed glass roof panels, power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, keyless ignition and entry, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Infotainment features include a 10-inch touchscreen, navigation system and a 10-speaker sound system.

　　On the safety front, you get low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, a driver condition monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Clear Exit Monitor, which alerts you if you're about to open a door into oncoming traffic. Standard off-road aids include the Terrain Response traction control system and front and rear tow hooks.

　　The SE comes with seating for five and can be equipped with a manual-folding third row. The 7 Seat package for the SE also includes a twin-speed transfer case and electronic air suspension. Other options include the Drive package, which offers blind-spot monitoring, high-speed automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. The Driver Assist package adds active steering assist, a surround-view parking camera, and the contents of the Drive package.

　　Other SE upgrades include the Smartphone pack (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity) and the Cold Climate package, which includes heated windshield washer jets, a heated steering wheel, and heated front and rear seats.

　　You can also augment the SE's off-road abilities with the Capability package, which adds a twin-speed transfer case, an air suspension and the upgraded Terrain Response 2 traction control system.

　　Stand-alone options include a virtual gauge cluster, a trailer hitch with an electrical connector, roof rails, a heated windscreen, a cooler compartment in the front console box, four-zone climate control, a Meridian stereo system, and extra USB ports. Land Rover's Activity Key — a fitness-tracker wristband that also acts as a key to unlock the vehicle — is available for all trim levels.

　　Moving up to the HSE adds 20-inch wheels, a front sunroof and heated auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors. Inside, you get driver-seat memory settings, the Meridian sound system, three-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a power-adjustable steering column, and upgraded interior trim. The digital gauge cluster comes standard, as do the second-row USB ports and the contents of the SE's Drive package.

　　Otherwise, many of the same option packages are available, plus quite a few extra. A Remote Intelligent Seat Fold package adds a power-folding third-row seat and a 60/40-split folding second row with manual slide and power recline. The Capability Plus package adds a locking rear differential, Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control — a sort of low-speed cruise control designed to manage the throttle to keep the vehicle moving steadily in particularly slippery or steep conditions.

　　The Luxury Climate Comfort package adds heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats, four-zone climate control, and the contents of the Cold Climate package. This package is also available in a seven-passenger configuration and adds heating to the third-row seats. The Seat Package 4 offers additional seat adjustments and upgraded leather upholstery.

　　Stand-alone options for the HSE start with the SE's options and also include a head-up display, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, rear-seat entertainment, and a wade-sensing system.

　　The top-tier HSE Luxury comes standard with the 7 Seat package, the Remote Intelligent Seat Fold package, the Cold Climate package, the Seat Package 4, the Capability package, and the 14-speaker sound system. You also get customizable ambient lighting and extended leather interior trim.

　　

2019 Discovery Highlights

Type: SUVDieselSUV

　　Trim: SESE Td6HSEHSE Td6HSE LuxuryHSE Luxury Td6SE

　　

Base MSRP	$52,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$259/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	43.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles