2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $43,270–$53,490
Fuel Economy 20 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,625/yr

Key Specifications — 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Engine2.0L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S9)
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG19 / 23 MPG
Combined MPG20 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$4,100
CO₂ Emissions437 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$43,270–$53,490

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

About the 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Our scoring places the 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport at 6.5/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Reliability at 5.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 5.4/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.2/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.5/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.

Priced from $43,270–$53,490, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Land Rover Discovery Sport sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 5.7/10 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.

Our take: The 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and value and reliability hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.

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 Sport ranks #2376 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $43,270 starting price is about 20% above the segment's median of $36,079.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →

Which Discovery Sport Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport scores 6.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 6.5 — and starts roughly $4,500 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$48,976 Read review →
2025 6.7/10$48,976 Read review →
2024 6.6/10$47,550 Read review →
2023 6.7/10$46,123 Read review →
2022 6.5/10$44,697 Read review →
2021 (this review) 6.5/10$43,270
2020 6.5/10$41,844 Read review →
2019 6.5/10$40,417 Read review →
2018 6.5/10$38,991 Read review →
2017 6.3/10$37,564 Read review →
2016 6.4/10$36,138 Read review →
2015 6.2/10$34,711 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • 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
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Fuel economy at 20 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has 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.

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…

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

Common Questions — 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Is the 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport reliable?

We rate the 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport's reliability 5.4/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 Sport have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 Sport worth buying?

It scores 6.5/10 overall, ranking #2376 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 3% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport cost?

The 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport starts at $43,270 and ranges up to $53,490 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Owner Essentials — Land Rover Discovery Sport

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Land Rover Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Land Rover models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.