Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV
2021 Land Rover Discovery
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$56,465–$69,689
Fuel Economy17 MPG
Seating7 passengers
CategorySUV
Est. Annual Fuel$3,088/yr
The 2021 Land Rover Discovery scores 6.4/10 at Carivo, ranking #2417 of 2454 suvs, with 5 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $3,088/year fuel cost.
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.
$0 — 5 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
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.
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 (5 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 with our free VIN recall checker.
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…
Air bags / Frontal 12/06/2026 · 26V389000
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy…
Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 16/07/2026 · 26V458000
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Land Rover Discovery vehicles. Water may not be able to drain away from the rearview camera due to insufficient drain holes, which may result in damage to the rearview camera.
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2021 Land Rover Discovery that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2021 Land Rover Discovery
Is the 2021 Land Rover Discovery reliable?
We rate the 2021 Land Rover Discovery's reliability 4.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2021 Land Rover Discovery have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2021 Land Rover Discovery worth buying?
It scores 6.4/10 overall, ranking #2417 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 2% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2021 Land Rover Discovery cost?
The 2021 Land Rover Discovery starts at $56,465 and ranges up to $69,689 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Discovery years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Discovery years we've rated are 2016 (6.2/10), 2015 (6.2/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (6.7/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2021 Land Rover Discovery have?
The documented issues for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Electrical system, Seat belts, Air bags, Back over prevention (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Land Rover Discovery
Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
You're in — first report lands next month.
Similar SUV to Consider
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Land Rover models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
Representative photo — may show another model year
