Pros
- Luxurious with a rugged side
- Silk-smooth I-6 engine
- Excellent overall driving refinement
Cons
- Exterior design isn’t for everyone
- Afterthought third-row seat
- Defender is newer, potentially cooler
Combining some of the Range Rover’s luxuries with the Defender’s off-road prowess, the Land Rover Discovery makes for an interesting in-betweener in the British automaker’s lineup. Always known for its unusual styling, the Discovery was last fully redesigned for 2018 and got a refresh for 2021. Rivals to the 2025 Discovery include the Lexus GX, Rivian R1S, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
What’s New
- Foglights become standard equipment on all models
- Hakuba Silver paint discontinued
- Heated second-row seats no longer a standalone option; added to Cold Climate package
- Head-up display and Wi-Fi hot spot no longer standalone options; added to Technology package
- Solar-reducing windshield, interior ambient lighting, center console refrigerator, four-zone climate control, cabin air purification, powered tailgate no longer standalone options; added to Comfort package
- For Dogs package adds padded cargo area liner, portable shower, integrated water bowl, collapsible pet carrier
- Biking Adventures package adds rooftop bike carrier, fixed side steps, mudflaps, rubber floor and cargo area liners
What We Think
The Discovery does a great job of combining everyday luxury with all-terrain performance, yet this unusual SUV just doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Driving refinement is high in the Discovery, from the ride provided by its standard air suspension to the nearly vibration-free operation of its optional I-6 engine. It makes for a pleasant everyday driver but also shows impressive capability when the pavement ends. Adept four-wheel drive and high ground clearance let it get well off the beaten path.
The Discovery’s third-row seat is a liability for this SUV—it’s just too small and difficult to access to make sense. In effect, the Discovery is a two-row SUV, but then its relatively steep starting price further complicates its viability. The Discovery is more refined on the road than the Defender, but it remains a niche vehicle.
Performance and MPGs
The 2025 Discovery offers two engines, both of which are connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4WD.
P300
- Engine: 2.0-liter turbo-four
- Horsepower/Torque: 296 hp/295 lb-ft
- Efficiency (city/highway): 19/24 mpg
- Acceleration (0–60 mph): 7.6 seconds (est.)
P360
- Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged I-6 mild hybrid
- Horsepower/Torque: 355 hp/365 lb-ft
- Efficiency (city/highway): 17/23 mpg
- Acceleration (0–60 mph): 6.6 seconds
Safety Features
All 2025 Discovery models come equipped with driver assist and active safety features such as front automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Off-road cruise control and a water fording depth sensor add confidence in all-terrain excursions.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Although third-row legroom measurements in the Discovery appear competitive, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Folding the second row creates a tiny aperture, so accessing the third row is very difficult. This isn’t a great choice for drivers who need a three-row SUV.
| Legroom (first/second/third rows) | Cargo Space (behind third/second/first rows) | |
| 2025 Land Rover Discovery | 39.1/37.4/33.5 inches | 11.5/45.0/74.3 cubic feet |
| 2025 Lexus GX | 41.2/36.7/31.9 inches | 10.3/40.2/76.9 cubic feet |
| 2025 Kia EV9 | 41.4/42.8/32.0 inches | 20.2/43.5/81.7 cubic feet |
Technology
Every Discovery comes equipped with a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, and built-in navigation are standard. In addition to USB ports, a wireless charging pad is included. Optional tech upgrades include a head-up display, interior ambient lighting, and a premium surround sound system.
Which Discovery Trim Level Is Best?
With the Discovery, you get what you pay for in driving refinement and all-terrain capability more than tons of features and luxurious materials. Thus, we think it’s best to stick with the base S trim, which comes with most of the same equipment as the higher Dynamic SE and Metropolitan Edition trims. At about $62,000, the 2025 Land Rover Discover S isn’t cheap and comes only with the P300 turbocharged I-4 engine. Upgrading to the excellent I-6 engine costs almost $10,000 more, further diminishing the Discovery’s value appeal.
Discovery vs. Defender: Which Is Better?
They look quite different, but when it comes down to it, the Land Rover Discovery and Defender are quite similar SUVs. Both offer all-terrain capability, luxurious finishing, and three rows of seats. But even in extended-length 130 specification, the Defender isn’t a much better three-row SUV than the Discovery; that added length provides more cargo capacity but not third-row legroom. In terms of the driving experience, the Defender is more capable off-road but comparatively clumsy on pavement, while the Discovery might not have such rock-crawling capability but feels better on the road.
