2021 Land Rover Discovery — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2021 Land Rover Discovery

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $56,465–$69,689
Fuel Economy 17 MPG
Seating 7 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $3,088/yr

Key Specifications — 2021 Land Rover Discovery

Engine2.0L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
Drivetrain4-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG19 / 22 MPG
Combined MPG21 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$3,900
CO₂ Emissions436 g/mi
Seating Capacity7 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$56,465–$69,689

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2021 Land Rover Discovery

The 2021 Land Rover Discovery is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.4/10 — rated Fair. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Reliability at 4.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. Buyers should review the score breakdown carefully and consider higher-rated alternatives before committing.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 4.9/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.3/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $56,465–$69,689, 17 MPG, seating 7, the Land Rover Discovery sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 5.2/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Verdict: Based on our scoring, the 2021 Land Rover Discovery underperforms its segment peers across multiple dimensions. Unless there's a specific reason it fits your situation — price, a particular trim's features, or availability — there are better-scored alternatives at similar price points worth considering first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2021 Land Rover Discovery ranks #2417 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 2% of the segment. Its 6.4/10 overall score is 1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $56,465 starting price is about 57% above the segment's median of $36,079.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Discovery Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2018 Land Rover Discovery scores 6.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 6.4 — and starts roughly $5,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 6.7/10$63,911 Read review →
2025 6.7/10$63,911 Read review →
2024 6.5/10$62,050 Read review →
2023 6.5/10$60,188 Read review →
2022 6.5/10$58,327 Read review →
2021 (this review) 6.4/10$56,465
2020 6.4/10$54,604 Read review →
2019 6.3/10$52,742 Read review →
2018 6.3/10$50,881 Read review →
2017 6.3/10$49,019 Read review →
2016 6.2/10$47,158 Read review →
2015 6.2/10$45,296 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2021 Land Rover Discovery

✓ What it does well

  • Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Value-for-money is a weak point; comparable alternatives offer more for the price
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 17 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Land Rover Discovery (3 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Electrical system / 12v/24v/48v battery
17/06/2021 · 21V457000
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Discovery vehicles. A loose contact between the battery ground stud and the chassis may result in various electrical faults, possibly causing a loss of electrical…
Seat belts / Front / Retractor
26/08/2021 · 21V668000
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Range Rover, 2022 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2021 Range Rover Velar, Discovery Sport, 2020-2022 Discovery, and Defender vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may…
Electrical system / Propulsion system / Dc/dc converter
17/04/2026 · 26V248000
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

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