Used 2019 Land Rover Discovery

While some crossover SUVs may look the part of rugged off-roaders, the 2019 Land Rover Discovery is the real deal. Land Rover’s luxurious Discovery pampers its occupants with the latest technology and safety systems, packaged into an interior as user-friendly as it is elegant. The Discovery’s aluminum architecture creates a strong but lightweight SUV capable of seating up to seven people, but with no hybrid in the lineup, the Lexus RX 450h still handily out-distances the Discovery. Off-road, the Discovery impresses with its advanced terrain-management system that allows it to venture places out of bounds to an Audi A7 or a Lincoln MKX. Better still, the 2019 Discovery’s resale and reliability scores are way up, besting Acura, Audi and even some Lexus models.

That this mid-level luxury SUV reminds us so much of being behind the wheel of the larger, more expensive Range Rover speaks volumes about the 2019 Discovery’s design. Light-years ahead of the old LR4, the Discovery not only rides and drives better than its predecessor, it is vastly quieter inside. Most owners will find the supercharged gasoline V6 more than adequate with an ability to propel the Discovery to 60 mph in under seven seconds. However, if you’re seeking maximum torque and fuel economy, we’d go with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel. The Discovery’s on-road manners are everything you’d expect from a Land Rover, and the same can be said of its off-road abilities. Be it loose sand, sloppy mud or deep snow, the Discovery’s Automatic Terrain Response fears no obstacle. Want more control? A number of user-selectable settings and an available low-range allow the driver to push the Discovery to its limits.

The base and HSE models can seat five passengers with the option to add two more via a small but functional 3rd-row seat. This setup is standard on Luxury trims, but with the third row in place, there’s sparse cargo room. Fold the third row down, however, and you’ll find nearly 40 cubic feet of space. The favorite seat in the 2019 Discovery is the driver’s seat, which not only offers supreme levels of comfort and adjustability, but a commanding view in all directions. The Discovery’s dash design is clean and modern, and while most of the controls are fairly easy to use and understand, the complicated infotainment system can be a bit slow at times.

The Discovery’s exterior shuns the blocky SUV design long associated with classic Land Rover SUVs, becoming softer and more rounded. The new language is clearly in step with the Range Rover and the Discovery’s little brother, the Discovery Sport. While the shape has changed, the Discovery is still one tough and functional premium SUV, boasting over 11 inches of ground clearance. One of the old LR4’s signature design elements — an asymmetrical, 2-piece tailgate — is gone, but we welcome the standard power-operated one in its place. Moreover, the Discovery still offers a hidden inner tailgate that can hold up to 600 pounds.

DUAL PERSONALITY
The 2019 Land Rover Discovery’s sleek exterior and modern interior belie its true nature, that being a tenacious off-road adventurer in the best Land Rover tradition. Land Rover’s advanced 4-wheel-drive system allows the Discovery to traverse sand, mud, snow and steep hills, a feat few competitors can match.

TECH TRICKS
Land Rover may have missed the boat on CarPlay and Android Auto, but other high-tech goodies make up for the oversight. For example, there’s a waterproof Activity Key wristband for quick entry through the rear liftgate, and power-activated rear seats that can be activated remotely via the owner’s smartphone.

For 2019, the Discovery is available in three trims: SE, HSE and HSE Luxury. The least expensive Discovery includes a supercharged V6 engine, full-time 4-wheel drive with single-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 system, lane-keep assist, dual-zone climate control, fixed panoramic sunroof, emergency braking, navigation, leather interior, 12-way-adjustable front seats, hands-free power tailgate, power inner tailgate, LED headlights, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams and rear parking sensors. The basic infotainment system includes a 10-speaker, 250-watt audio system, Bluetooth connectivity and 10-inch touch screen. SE and HSE models come with 2-row/5-passenger seating. A 3-row/7-passenger setup is optional.

We’d recommend at least the HSE trim, with tri-zone climate control, 380-watt Meridian audio, and power moonroof. It also opens the door to several option packages. The HSE Luxury comes with seating for seven, air suspension, 2-speed transfer case, 825-watt Meridian audio, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel and 16-way front seats. Further options include surround camera system, blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognizer, Wade Sensing and adaptive cruise control. A locking rear differential makes this a serious off-roader.

Under the 2019 Land Rover Discovery’s hood reside two possible engine options. The standard offering is a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 good for an impressive 340 horsepower. The second is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel offering much more torque and better fuel economy, but less horsepower and towing ability (8,200 pounds vs. 7,716). An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine, as is a defeatable idle start/stop function. Full-time 4-wheel drive is standard across the model range and includes a single-speed transfer case. A 2-speed transfer case is optional and highly recommended for those who plan to off-road, as are the available air suspension and locking rear differential.

3.0-liter supercharged V6
340 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/21 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6
254 horsepower @ 3,750 rpm
443 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-2,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/26 mpg