Used 2020 Land Rover Discovery

#15 in Best Midsize Luxury SUVs of 2020

Not many vehicles are ready for anything, but the 2020 Land Rover Discovery is one of them. This premium-midsize SUV can take seven occupants in elegant comfort almost anywhere they want to go, whether tarmac is involved or not. And it will keep them entertained, connected and safe.

The Discovery is based on the same strong-yet-(relatively) light aluminum-intensive architecture as the Range Rover. And this is the first generation of Discovery to have unibody construction as opposed to the traditional “body on ladder frame” approach. Yet, thanks to excellent ground clearance and an advanced terrain-management system, it can still head for places beyond the abilities of an Audi A7 or a Lincoln MKX.

A diesel engine is available, but with no hybrid Discovery on offer, the Lexus RX 450h still beats it on fuel economy. The new Landmark trim level is intriguing for those requiring the full seven seats and an adaptive suspension. Another plus: The 2020 Discovery’s resale and reliability scores can now stand against marques like Acura and Audi, and even a couple of Lexus models.

Sharing a sophisticated set of bones with the Range Rover does wonders for the Discovery’s smoothness. It rides in an unflustered manner, while the cabin is wonderfully tranquil. The adaptive air suspension improves matters even more.

The supercharged gasoline V6 should be punchy enough for most purposes and is certainly the right choice for towing. But the best torque and fuel economy figures belong to the optional turbocharged diesel V6.

Impeccable on-road manners are matched by impressive off-road abilities. The Discovery’s Terrain Response system can tackle sand, mud and snow. For even greater control, user-selectable settings and optional low-range gearing allow drivers to take the Discovery to its limits.

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Even though most controls in the Land Rover Discovery are fairly easy to use and understand, the complicated infotainment system can be a bit slow at times. Nevertheless, the best seat in the place is still the driver’s.

Not only does it provide excellent outward vision, but the levels of comfort and adjustability are absolutely appropriate for a luxury vehicle. The dashboard’s design is also clean and contemporary.

The base and HSE models come standard with the 5-seat setup; the 3rd-row/2-passenger seat is optional. The Landmark and HSE Luxury models are solely 7-seaters.

Behind the third row is a fairly meager 10.1 cubic feet of luggage space. Folded down, that area expands to 41.2 cubic feet. With both rows folded, maximum cargo volume is 83.7 cubic feet.

The squared-off lines of previous Discovery generations have been ditched. The 2020 Discovery, in common with the Range Rover, has softer, rounder shapes. But there’s still a tall “greenhouse” with large glass areas, bringing benefits in headroom and outward vision.

Moving downward, the Discovery also enjoys an impressive 11.1 inches of ground clearance when the adaptive air suspension is fitted. Out back is a hidden inner tailgate that can take up to 600 pounds. So a couple of average-build adults could easily sit on it while enjoying, say, a polo match.

DUAL PERSONALITY
A refined exterior and modern interior put a sophisticated veneer on the true nature of the 2020 Discovery: a highly capable off-road adventurer in the best Land Rover tradition. An advanced all-wheel-drive system allows the Discovery to tackle sand, mud, snow and steep hills, a feat few competitors can match.

TECH TRICKS
The waterproof Activity Key wristband provides quick entry through the rear tailgate; power-activated rear seats can be activated remotely using the owner’s smartphone.

Buyers seeking a new Discovery can choose from SE, Landmark, HSE and HSE Luxury trims. The base 5-seater SE is well appointed, with 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, fixed panoramic sunroof with power blinds, leather seating surfaces, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, power tailgate/inner tailgate, LED headlights with automatic high beams, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and rear parking sensors.

The standard infotainment setup includes a 10-speaker/250-watt audio system and a 10-inch infotainment touch screen.

The Landmark trim includes three seating rows, navigation, Wi-Fi, 20-inch alloy wheels, air suspension, heated seats (first and second rows), plus quad-zone climate control. Oddly, the HSE trim has tri-zone climate control (five seats are standard here), but adds a gesture-controlled tailgate, power-adjustable steering column, Meridian 380-watt/10-speaker audio, satellite radio and road-sign recognition.

Many items standard in the higher trims can be fitted as options in the lower models. Other extras include a head-up display, Wade Sensing, locking rear differential, rear-seat entertainment system, 360-degree camera system, cabin air ionization, and the Activity Key.

The standard engine in the 2020 Discovery is a gasoline-fueled, supercharged, 3.0-liter V6 making an impressive 340 horsepower.

A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel is optional. It generates less horsepower than its supercharged sibling, but (as is the way with most turbocharged diesels) brings more torque to the party, along with superior fuel economy. One downside is that this engine’s towing talents are not as great as the gasoline engine’s: 7,716 pounds compared with 8,200 pounds.

Both engines have a fuel-saving stop/start feature (which can be disabled if a driver finds it irritating). And an 8-speed automatic is the sole transmission.

Full-time all-wheel drive is standard throughout and includes a single-speed transfer case. A 2-speed transfer case is optional and highly recommended for those planning to go off-road, along with the air suspension and locking rear differential options.

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