Currently reading: 2021 Land Rover Discovery boosted with new tech, mild-hybrid engines

Redesigned SUV available to order now from £53,090

Land Rover hopes to rejuvenate slumping sales of what was formerly one of its best-selling models by facelifting the Land Rover Land Rover Discovery.

Land Rover 's rival to the Volvo XC90 benefits from a number of exterior revisions, an overhaul of its cabin technology and new mild-hybrid engine options.

It is available to order now, priced from £53,090, with deliveries due to start early next year. Although numerous, the changes to the large SUV’s styling are subtle.

New LED headlight clusters with a jewel-like design set the daytime-running lights lower, while sweeping indicators are introduced. A refreshed front bumper brings new side strakes, while an altered front grille aligns the car closer to the latest Land Rover Discovery Sport. There are new wing vents on the sides, too, plus fresh wheel designs ranging from 19in to 22in.

At the rear, new-shape light clusters sweep around the back edge and are joined by a gloss black panel incorporating the Discovery badging.

The designers say that their intention, particularly at the rear, was to visually widen and lower the Discovery. However, the controversial offset numberplate remains.

Land Rover has also added a sportier-looking R-Dynamic model with a gloss black roof, trim, wheel arches and grille.

98 Land rover discovery my2021 official images   off road rear

Inside, the changes to the Discovery mimic those seen on a number of recently updated Jaguar Land Rover models. The most significant is the introduction of the “faster, smarter and better connected” Pivi Pro infotainment system, which has a touchscreen that is 48% larger and three times brighter than its predecessor.

The system also features over-the-air software updates, plus the 360deg cameras with Clearsight Ground View that made their debut on 4x4 face-off: the new Land Rover Defender. Plus, the 12.3in digital dials are complemented by a new head-up display.

Other additions include Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a new wearable Activity Key, wireless phone charging, extra connectivity points throughout the cabin and a new air filtration system that can purify the car remotely via a phone app.

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Furthermore, there’s a new-look steering wheel with haptic buttons and the second-row seats have been redesigned with contoured bases to improve comfort.

97 Land rover discovery my2021 official images   dashboard

As for the engine line-up, a trio of new Ingenium straight-six units bring 48V mild-hybrid technology to the Discovery for the first time. The petrols are the P300, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 296bhp, and the P360, a 355bhp 3.0-litre mild-hybrid straight six. Two diesels are offered, both mild-hybrid 3.0-litre straight sixes: the 246bhp D250 and 296bhp D300, the latter with 479lb ft of torque.

All feature air suspension and only the D250 misses out on adaptive dampers. A commercial version of the Land Rover Discovery continues to be available, offering a 2024-litre cargo bay. It’s powered solely by the D300 diesel engine.

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WinstonAlexanderson 11 November 2020

Really nice family car

This is like the new defender for the tame family man. The interior makes up for the boxy end of the vehicle. It's really nice if you need the space, but like many others have said, if you need something that gets the testosterone going then the defender is the one to get.

Either way, Land rovers future is very bright right now. Wish jaguars electric models come out faster so that we can have a world leading manufacturer out of Britain again.

squig 11 November 2020

Good, but Expensive

I own one bought as a nearly new pre-reg a couple of years ago.  They are great cars, a lovely relaxed drive that goes anywhere and takes all weathers and terrains in its stride in great comfort and refinement.  The refresh mainly looks positive, although I do not like the new steering wheel and gear change compared to the old more range rovery look.  

No idea the fixation some people have with the offset number plate, its a little quirk that I quite like in the metal, and of not much significance in the grand scheme of things.

The problem I see that prevents a greater sales success is simply the price of the car.  I just specced one up as I would like to buy it, with the off road pack, ready to tow, and a couple of nice-to-haves like 3 zone climate and wireless charging, so well specced but without going crazy, and it came to just under £75,000.  That is eye-watering.  I'll be looking to change in a year or so, and even as a totally satisfied owner who quite likes the refresh, I would struggle to justify that cost to myself.

 

sabre 11 November 2020

New Tech

New tech in a new JLR is bad news