2019 Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery marks the return of the iconic nameplate to the United States. For multiple generations, the three-row, family-ready off-roader was known here as the LR4.
The reintroduced Discovery may be new, but its overall silhouette is heavily inspired by the original Discovery that bowed in 1989.
Life Aboard
The Discovery boasts a simple, functional dashboard with discreet trim accents (wood or metal, depending on the trim), with a healthy dose of new tech
Discovery incorporates Land Rover's new Touch Pro infotainment system with an available ten-inch dual display touch screen mounted on the center stack. It also displays images received from the rear-view camera and allows the driver to zoom in.
The LR4 is available with Jaguar - Land Rover's new InControl Apps, smartphone integration software designed to work seamlessly with both Apple and Android devices. Passengers can access the bulk of their phone's features on the touch screen and use additional purpose-designed apps to book a hotel room, get parking information, check traffic and make conference calls. 4G LTE connectivity is also available.
All Discoveries regardless of trim level come standard with room for up to five passengers, but buyers can order the SUV with optional third row of seats that makes it possible to carry seven passengers. Five-seater models boast 43.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row (nearly doubling with the second row folded); seven-seaters get just nine cubes behind the third row (or 40 with the third row folded).
Under the Hood
The Discovery has two updated engines—one gas and one diesel—and are standard with four-wheel-drive. The gasoline engine is a supercharged, three-liter V6 which produces 340 horsepower and 332lb-ft of torque. The diesel is also a three-liter unit, good for 254 horsepower and 443lb-ft of torque.
Since few buyers take their LR4 off the pavement, the standard transfer case is a single-speed unit that provides a 42/58-percent front-rear torque split. A two-speed unit better suited to off-road driving is available as an option.
A four-corner independent height-adjustable air suspension improves on-road ride and handling while retaining the SUV's well-known off-road prowess, and Land Rover's Terrain Response system helps optimize the vehicle for a variety of situations. Terrain Response offers five settings: general, grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, sand, and rock crawl. For more information about Terrain Response, visit our Spotlight On: Land Rover Terrain Response in-depth article.
Trim Level Breakdown
The Discovery is offered in SE, HSE and HSE luxury trims.
The base model Discovery comes standard with a fixed panoramic roof, body-colored door handles, leather interior upholstery (with 12-way power adjust in front), automatic halogen lights, power folding and heated side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, rear park assist, a 250-watt audio system with 10 speakers and Touch Pro.
The HSE adds 20” wheels, a unique "Atlas” grille, LED headlamps, an upgraded panoramic roof with front slide and tilt, fog lamps, front park assist, keyless entry, a powered inner tailgate, driver's seat memory, a 380-watt Meridian sound system and 10” Touch Pro with navigation.
HSE Luxury is the fully loaded model. Upgrades include 16-way powered front seats with driver memory, heated front and rear seats, a power third row and heated seats (on seven-passenger models), electronic air suspension, twin-speed transfer case, three-zone climate control, and configurable ambient lighting.
Various interior and exterior accent packages are available a la carte depending on trim level.
Occupant Safety
All Discovery models come standard with dual front, side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and electronic brake assist.
Advanced features such as dynamic cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane keeping assist, park assist, blind spot assist, traffic sign recognition, HD surround cameras, automatic high beams and driver condition monitor.
Key Competitors
While rivals like the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Acura MDX provide more refined on-road driving dynamics, only the Lexus GX can come close to the Discovery's off-road prowess.