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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 19 / 22 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,900 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 436 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $56,465–$69,689 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
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 →
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 →
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.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 → |
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.
We rate the 2021 Land Rover Discovery's reliability 4.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
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.
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.
