2024 Land Rover Discovery

Overview

Snazzier than a Jeep but more approachable than a Range Rover, the 2024 Land Rover Discovery finds its niche as a premium off-roader with room for the whole family. Three rows of seats provide seating for up to seven in the Discovery’s upscale cabin, although that last row is roomy enough only for kids. Under the hood is either a 296-hp turbocharged four-cylinder or a 355-hp turbocharged inline-six. The Discovery’s performance is adequate but not groundbreaking, and its road manners, while comfortable, are less refined than in rivals such as the BMW X5, the Porsche Cayenne, and the Volvo XC90. Those crossovers won’t venture nearly as far into the outdoors as the Discovery, though, and the Land Rover trades on its legacy of off-road capability. Its terrain-conquering equipment is a rarity in the segment and includes a two-speed transfer case, skid plates, and a height-adjustable air suspension system.

What’s New for 2024?

The Discovery carries over to 2024 exactly the way it was in 2023, with no significant changes except its price, which has increased by $1500.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The midrange Dynamic models offer the best value in the Discovery lineup, as they add fog lamps, LED taillights, aluminum interior trim, and uniquely styled front and rear bumpers. The P300 comes standard with the turbo-four engine, but if you want the more powerful inline-six-cylinder engine opt for the P360 instead.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

All Discovery models come with full-time all-wheel drive as standard, but buyers can choose between a 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 355-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, the latter of which employs a 48-volt hybrid system. We haven’t had a chance to test-drive the Disco with the base turbo four, but with the inline-six, the big Land Rover feels sprightly around town and delivers adequate power for highway merging and passing. At our test track, the six-cylinder Discovery made it to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The Land Rover’s adventure-ready mission caters to those seeking an SUV for much more than just trolling the parking lot at the mall, but it comes at the expense of on-road dexterity. The Discovery’s handling isn’t as ponderous as one might expect, but it still feels clumsy and top-heavy when changing direction. The Disco never lets you forget that you’re piloting a large SUV. Overall ride quality is quite good, and even harsh bumps are dealt with easily. Steering feel, however, is nonexistent, especially on-center, where a large dead spot creates a need for frequent steering corrections when cruising on the highway. If towing a heavy load is on the docket, the Disco is rated to tow up to 8200 pounds.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that the turbocharged four-cylinder model will deliver 19 mpg city and 22 mpg highway while the hybridized six-cylinder powertrain is rated for 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, our six-cylinder test vehicle managed only 22 mpg. For more information about the Discovery’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Discovery’s interior materials are upscale, and the design is appropriately posh. Luxury features abound throughout the cabin, and the level of comfort only increases as you climb through the more expensive trims. Power-adjustable, heated leather seats with optional massage function for the driver and front-seat passenger offer good support and even better cushioning; second-row seats provide fore-and-aft and recline adjustments. Without adequate space to haul gear, there would be fewer opportunities for adventure. With both of its rear rows of seats folded, the Disco’s spacious cabin proved to be quite accommodating with room for 29 of our carry-on suitcases. But if you flip the last row of seats up and load the Discovery with the full complement of seven would-be explorers, the maximum number of carry-ons it can carry drops to just two behind the third row.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All Discovery models come standard with Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment system. It features an 11.4-inch touchscreen display and advanced features such as an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot powered by a 4G LTE data connection and real-time traffic and weather updates. Pivi Pro debuted with the Land Rover Defender in 2020 and is being rolled out in other Land Rover and Jaguar products. It features a simpler menu layout and is capable of over-the-air updates. As many as nine USB ports dot the cabin, and novel tablet-holding accessories can be used to set up rear-seat entertainment for kids. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is standard, as is a wireless smartphone charging pad, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, and a full-color head-up display.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

A handful of driver-assistance features are standard here, but more advanced tech will require upgrading to an optional package. Land Rover also offers a novel 360-degree exterior camera system that also provides a view of what is directly under the front end of the Discovery—the area blocked from view by the hood—which is intended to improve safety when driving off-road. For more information about the Discovery’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard adaptive cruise control
• Available lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Land Rover offers a wholly average warranty package, with most coverages good for four years or 50,000 miles. While the Discovery does not offer complimentary scheduled maintenance, Land Rover does offer discounted maintenance packages that can be purchased through the dealer that will cover the Discovery for up to four years.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs

Source: www.caranddriver.com