Used Land Rover Discovery 4x4 2017-present review

Is there a name more synonymous with luxury SUVs that really can do it all than the Land Rover Discovery? Ever since it was introduced, way back in 1989, the Discovery has been, through its various generations, a mainstay of middle England, loved in equal measure for its vast amounts of space, go-anywhere ability and useful seven-seat layout.

While those extra seats were an optional extra on early cars, including the earlier 2004-2017 Land Rover Discovery, by the time this fifth-generation 2017-onwards model came along, they had become a standard feature – just one way in which the Discovery has had to modernise and adapt through the years in the face of strong competition from cars that it inspired, such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90.

Engines: The fifth-generation Discovery came with a choice of two 2.0-litre diesel engines – the SD4 and TD4, with 237bhp and 254bhp respectively – and two petrols, a 296bhp 2.0-litre turbo badged Si4 and a 335bhp 3.0-litre supercharged V6.

Later models, introduced after a 2020 facelift, were identified as the 2.0-litre P300 and 3.0-litre P360 petrols, and diesels 3.0 D250, D300 and 3.0 D350.

Trims and equipment: Four equipment levels make up the range, starting with the cheapest S, which gets air conditioning, alloy wheels and a 10in touchscreen; SE comes next, adding electric leather seats (heated in the front), sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors and automatic lights and wipers. HSE features a panoramic glass roof, heated second-row seats and keyless entry, while top-of-the-range HSE Luxury adds an electric sunroof, heated and cooled seats and four-zone climate control.

Post-2020 models were mildly upgraded and known as the S, R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE.

Ride and handling: So what’s the secret of the Discovery’s success? Well, it all becomes clear the moment you step behind the wheel, from where there’s a terrific sense of impregnability and security. Pull away and the smooth, responsive engines make it feel as though nothing will stop the Discovery, while the tall driving position and excellent visibility give a commanding view of the road.

The standard air suspension gives a delightfully wafty ride; true, on the odd occasion a particularly large divot might make its presence felt via a vague vibration through the car, but the vast majority of the time, progress is serene – an effect amplified by the smooth engines. And while wind and road noise are audible, they aren’t intrusive.

In corners, the Discovery isn’t quite so impressive; while it can be driven briskly along a back road, it doesn’t feel happy about it while you’re doing so. The body flops over if you try to carry too much speed and the slow steering means there’s lots of arm flailing involved. That said, it never feels uncontrolled and there’s always plenty of grip; but this is clearly a car built for comfort rather than speed.

Interior and practicality: Mind you, it’s one built for practicality. Inside, there’s room for seven adults to sit in comfort – a rare feat even in large SUVs, which often suffer from cramped rearmost seats. Fold those seats down and there’s a cavernous boot to play with, although with them in place you’ll only be able to fit in a few carrier bags of shopping.

What’s more, the Discovery feels terrifically upmarket inside. Granted, the infotainment system is a bit of a letdown because it can be fiddly to use, and there are some cheaper bits of plastic here and there, but most of the materials are smart and there are neat touches everywhere you look, meaning the Discovery’s interior feels more special than most.

If you're interested in buying a used Land Rover Discovery, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

Discovery prices start at around £17,000, this for a 2017 2.0 SD4 car with an average to high mileage for the year and a full history. You should be able to find a 3.0-litre car for around £20,000 with the same criteria. Spend between £20,000 and £30,000 on a good 2018 or 2019 model, between £40,000 and £45,000 if it's one of the larger engines or higher trims or a 2020 or 2021 car. Think of £45,000 and more for the 2021 and 2022 cars. Newer 2022 and 2023 examples go for upwards of £50,000.

Check the value of a used Land Rover Discovery with What Car? Valuations

Find a used Land Rover Discovery for sale here

MPG

Rather a lot. The Discovery’s fuel consumption figures are among the worst in its class; every engine is beaten by equivalents from its rivals and, out in the real world, those consumption figures will fall even further. On a conservative motorway run, for example, you’ll be lucky to hit even a lowly 36mpg in the more powerful diesel versions.

Officially, the D250 averages 33.9mpg, the D300 33.7mpg and the P360 26.4mpg.

Road tax

Examples registered after 1 April 2017 will attract a flat rate fee of £180 per year, though you'll also have to pay a supplementary £390 per year as well. This is a luxury car tax and is an additional payment you have to complete from years two to six of the model's life.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups are generally high, meaning insuring your Discovery will be pricier than most cars. You’ll also find that servicing and repair costs are high, even compared with premium rivals, so be prepared for the costs incurred in keeping one running. Once your car’s out of warranty, it might behove you to find an independent specialist to look after your car; they usually charge significantly less than Land Rover dealerships and are often just as knowledgeable, if not more so.

Reliability

The Land Rover Discovery has struggled with reliability, according to our annual What Car? Reliability Survey.

Diesel models, in particular, have faced recurring issues with engine and emissions warning lights, as well as electrical faults, including problems with the infotainment system and keyless entry.

Owners were often frustrated by slow repair times, high costs, and delays in parts availability, leading to long periods without their vehicles. While some praised dealership staff, inconsistent communication and multiple visits for repairs were common complaints.

Learn more about the used Land Rover Discovery's reliability on our dedicated page.

The entry-level S version is difficult to find, so we’d go for at least an SE model, which should do everything you need if it’s all you can afford. However, if you can stretch to it, HSE adds even more luxury and practicality, and is also the most widely available, so it’s our favourite. HSE Luxury is just a bit too pricey.

Engine-wise, the thirst of the petrols rules them out unless you do miniscule mileage or have access to your own oil refinery. Of the earlier models, either diesel is a much better bet; even the SD4 provides more than adequate performance, but the TD6 is best suited to the Discovery’s size and the most popular engine choice, making it the easiest to find.

Our favourite Land Rover Discovery 3.0 TD6 HSE

The most obvious rival to the Discovery is the Audi Q7, which is our favourite used large SUV. It doesn’t feel quite as special as the Discovery inside and nor does it offer quite as much space in the rearmost seats, but it’s more reliable, more efficient and even more comfortable on its optional air suspension.

You could also choose the Volvo XC90, which has just as upmarket an interior as the Discovery but, again, has a better reputation for reliability and is one of the safest SUVs around. It also does better in fuel economy tests than the Discovery.

Or if five seats will do and you want something more sporty to drive, there’s always the Porsche Cayenne. It costs more to buy than the Discovery, so you’ll have to settle for an older model, and it isn’t as comfortable or spacious, but no SUV of this size is as entertaining to drive fast as the Cayenne.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you're interested in buying a used Land Rover Discovery, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.