LIKES
- Great off-road
- Luxurious cabin
- Good turbo power
- Impressive towing ability
DISLIKES
- Cramped third row
- Hefty price tag
- Slurps down fuel
- Best off-roady bits are expensive
BUYING TIP
- The Discovery needs 6-cylinder power for optimal towing capability, but watch other options closely.
The adventure-ready 2023 Land Rover Discovery makes a great traveling companion.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Land Rover Discovery? What does it compare to?
With three rows of seats and a high seating position, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery compares well to the Lexus GX and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Is the 2023 Land Rover Discovery a good SUV?
The Discovery is a solid choice overall, with impressive off-road ability, a comfortable cabin, and an impressive amount of standard tech. It’s pricey, though, and it’ll slurp down fuel. It’s a 6.4 out of 10.
What's new for the 2023 Land Rover Discovery?
Aside from a new Metropolitan Edition with exclusive gray paint, the Discovery carries into 2023 largely unchanged.
Forget about boxy Discovery models from the 1990s and early 2000s. The latest model is smooth and slippery, at least as far as high-riding SUVs go. Instead, think stealth-rugged; those big wheels and long overhangs seem at odds with the Discovery’s impressive off-roading ability. Inside, the look is slightly more rugged, helped by available earth-tone upholstery. The Discovery offers seating for up to seven, though adults will find the third row to be a tight fit.
The base 2.0-liter turbo-4 huffs out 296 hp, while an optional 3.0-liter turbo-6 ups the ante to 355 hp and can hike the towing capacity to 8,200 pounds when properly equipped.
A standard air suspension enables the Discovery to smother rough trails—or pockmarked pavement—quite well, though it takes unlocking option packages to nab capability-enhancing features such as a locking differential and a two-speed transfer case.
The Discovery has a comfortable cabin, so long as you’re not wedged into the tight third row. For four or even five in a pinch, it makes a great base camp for exploration. A big 11.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility comes standard, and Land Rover even fits adaptive cruise control across the range.
Automatic emergency braking is also standard, which is typical for a big luxury SUV.
The Discovery has not been crash tested recently by either the NHTSA or the IIHS.
How much does the 2023 Land Rover Discovery cost?
The Discovery starts at $59,875, though metallic paint, leather seats, and a few other niceties will nudge one to around $65,000. The power-folding third row costs $550 more.
Figure north of $70,000 for one with 6-cylinder power and typical options, too.
Where is the 2023 Land Rover Discovery made?
In the United Kingdom.
Styling
Land Rover’s modern take on rugged good looks serves the Discovery well.
Is the Land Rover Discovery a good-looking SUV?
It’s pretty nice, though light on retro touches. Squint and you’ll see hints of the tiered roof that made the Discovery so recognizable when it first hit the road in the 1990s. Overall, this shape is a 7 out of 10 on our scale.
Even with those classic cues, the Discovery has a soft, modern look that would be out of place deep in the wilds where Land Rovers once roamed. Big wheels—20-inchers are most common—emphasize its urban sophistication. Those short tire sidewalls won’t absorb many rocks after all.
The cabin is refined and modern, with an 11.4-inch touchscreen perched high on an upright dash. Land Rover offers a bunch of interior hues, too, but you’ll pay extra for real leather on most trims.
Performance
With strong turbo punch, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery offers plenty of go paired with a composed ride.
Land Rover offers a choice between turbocharged engines on its Discovery model, both of which deliver good acceleration. Even with those stylish big wheels wrapped by tires with short sidewalls, the big Rover rides comfortably thanks to its standard air suspension.
We rate it at 7 out of 10 thanks to those assets.
Is the Land Rover Discovery 4WD?
Yes, but with caveats. Land Rover only fits a simple single-speed transfer case as standard fare. Off-roaders will want to work their way through various option packages to add the 2-speed transfer case that allows for low-speed loping as well as the automaker’s Terrain Response system with its bevy of traction modes. A locking rear differential to better transfer power between the rear wheels is also optional.
How fast is the Land Rover Discovery?
The Discovery now comes standard with an air suspension, which can rise to the occasion for more ground clearance at the tap of a button. This suave suspension enables this heavy SUV to ride and corner well since it absorbs small bumps and helps limit body lean. While not as sporty as, say, a Range Rover Sport, the Discovery offers an impressive balance between capability and comfort.
Comfort & Quality
The 2023 Land Rover Discovery has a big, comfortable cabin. Just don’t squeeze yourself into the third row.
So long as you find yourself in the front or middle rows—or if you happen to be a suitcase—the Land Rover Discovery has a spacious, luxurious cabin. It’s an 8 on the TCC scale.
The front seats have a good view out and plenty of power adjustment. Row two has a decent 38 inches of legroom and expansive head room, and it’s accessed via wide-opening doors. The cramped, kid-only row three can (optionally) power out of the way, which opens up 45 cubic feet of cargo space. Flop the second row down and maximum cargo space grows to 83 cubic feet. With the third row upright, though, the Discovery has just 9 cubic feet of cargo room.
The cabin itself has a classy feel and appearance, even though Land Rover charges extra for real leather on 4-cylinder models.
Safety
Land Rover includes a lot of crash-avoidance tech on the 2023 Discovery.
How safe is the Land Rover Discovery?
As it has yet to be crash-tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS, we can’t say for certain. We’ll update this space should either agency test it.
Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, a surround-view camera system, active lane control, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. That’s well above average.
Features
Land Rover will build you a Discovery in just about any configuration you want, so long as you’ve got the budget.
The 2023 Land Rover Discovery comes in five basic configurations, each of which can be outfitted with a huge range of options.
Starting from 5, we add a point for the 11.4-inch touchscreen with standard smartphone projection, another for features such as power-adjustable seats and plenty of safety tech, and a third for all those extras. The Disco is an 8.
It’s all backed by a luxury segment-typical 4-year/50,000-mile warranty.
Which Land Rover Discovery should I buy?
If you want four-wheeling bits or the best towing capacity, you’ll have to opt for 6-cylinder power for around $69,000. With metallic paint—Land Rover offers many shades of gray (or is it grey?)—plus heated leather seats, wood trim, head-up display, and all the towing and off-roading goodies, Land Rover will want around $77,500.
How much is a fully loaded Land Rover Discovery?
A Discovery with this year’s new Metropolitan Edition package can crest $85,000. The new package is more about special design features, though, so you’d better like its unique wheels and interior trim.
Fuel Economy
The 2023 Land Rover Discovery is most frugal in 6-cylinder form.
Is the Land Rover Discovery good on gas?
It’s all right, at least for what it is. With the base 4-cylinder, the 2023 Discovery is estimated at 19 mpg city, 22 highway, 21 combined. The 6-cylinder’s mild-hybrid tech means an electric motor and oversize battery pack help shoulder some of the acceleration burden. Fuel economy improves to 19/25/22 mpg.
Either way, the 2023 Discovery rates a 2 on the TCC scale. And it needs premium fuel, so save up.
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