2023 Land Rover Discovery

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery, in its standard guise, is made available in a single trim, namely the ‘S’ grade. This trim gets equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged engine that is coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. As standard, the 2023 Discovery comes in an all-wheel-drive configuration and gets an inbuild ‘Terrain Response’ system which can be accessed through a configurable selector knob that bi-functions as a climate control element. If you have more cash lying around to spend, higher trims like the R-Dynamic and Metropolitan Edition are made available in this year’s brochure which promises better performance and more luxury.

As for standard equipment, Land Rover has made sure that the 2023 Discovery comes packing in the most of what this SUV has ever got. So in addition to the general list of equipment including the 11.4-inch infotainment system, 14-way power front seats with driver side memory function, grained leather seats, air suspension, and keyless entry you also now get a premium 12-speaker Meridian Audio system, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a 3-zone climate control system and a wireless phone charger as standard on the insides now. The exterior more or less remains the same and gets equipment like full LED exterior lighting, panoramic moonroof, a power tailgate, and heated exterior mirrors with memory function.

Optional packages

Cold climate package ($600)

• Heated steering wheel
• Heated windshield
• Heated water jets

Hot climate package ($1600)

• 4-zone climate control
• Front center console refrigerator
• Solar attenuating windshield

Heated-powered intelligent third-row pack ($950)

Power intelligent third-row pack ($550)

We Recommend

The base ‘S’ grade is the most sensible pick in our opinion as it packs most of the essential amenities as standard and also can be equipped as required with packages offered as options. The higher trims do get powerful engine options, but the difference in outright performance gain is not as drastic as you would expect it to be and surely will have an inverse effect on the fuel economy figures as well. So the standard trim of the 2023 Land Rover Discovery is the one to go for this year.

Release Date

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery is already up for order on their official website and deliveries should commence sometime in the third quarter of this year.

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery in its standard trim comes with just a single powertrain option. The unit in the discussion here is a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 unit that is good for around 296hp and 295lb-ft. of torque. Though the figures look quite impressive on paper, the hefty 5,000-pound 2023 Discovery does need a lavish 7 seconds to hit 60mph and another 9 full seconds to reach the quarter-mile marker, which is far from being impressive based on what we have seen and experienced from this class of SUVs in recent times. This unit, however, is rated for around 6,000 pounds of towing capacity, which is easily the best in class.

The lack in straight line performance doesn’t make the 2023 Land Rover Discovery a bad daily driver in any way as the healthy dose of torque that it spools out at engine speeds as low as 1500 RPMs make it a rather likable highways cruiser. The overall heft and the meaty power band help it glide at highway speeds all day effortlessly. The 8-speed transmission, though not the quickest in its class, is silky smooth when left to its own pace and should not disappoint you unless you trying something stupid on this SUV. However, if it's the outright pace that you are after, there is always the R-Dynamic trim with the turbocharged inline-6 at your disposal, but the price-to-performance ratio between this and the base engine, if you ask us, is very minimal at significant compromise in fuel economy.

As mentioned, the additional weight that the 2023 Land Rover Discovery has to carry around all time does make it one of the slowest SUVs in the competition. The BMW X5 also weighs not much different, but the powerful inline– 6 with the twin-scroll turbo just picks up and goes making the car almost supercar-quick from a decade back. The Audi Q7 with its lightweight chassis, super quick gearbox, and decent power output manages the second place while the Mercedes Benz GLE, which is the least powered does fall to the back of the pack despite weighing the lowest.

2023 Land Rover Discovery Ride and Handling 

Basically finding its roots as a suited off-roader, the Land Rover Discovery has never been known to be an agile machine, or rather we’d say, it has never tried to be one. Being one of the most capable off-road going vehicles in its class, on-road agility is something the 2023 Discovery compromises for a better and composed experience on bad patches. This has made the Discovery a perfect all-rounder machine with exceptional comfort and some commendable highway cruising capabilities.

The electronic air suspension is a piece of fancy standard equipment that would look like a solution to this, but apart from offering some commendable affordability and comfort, the overall setup is too soft for it to actually be a fun corner craver as some SUVs these days double up as. So, does the 2023 Land Rover Discovery lose points for this? Well, probability not as the whole intention of this SUV is to be a relaxing family vehicle that takes you places and from our experience, it is one place where this vehicle aces.

2023 Land Rover Discovery Braking Performance 

Hauling around 5,000 pounds with the driver, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery does need some capable stopper to bring down the momentum once it hits highway speed. As you would expect, the braking performance and pedal feel do not inspire confidence and do require you to get used to the vehicle to get a knack for the stopping distances. The pedal feels vague, lacks that quick bite, and has got a decent amount of travel to it before you start to feel the resistance. Once it does, the progression is gradual and predictable. The best stopping distance that we have managed out of the Land Rover Discovery is 128 feet and for a big SUV, it is a respectable score. The 13.8-inch rotors at all four corners do seem to be doing their job right.

The BMW, despite being one of the heaviest SUVs in the segment, manages to stop as well as it goes, posting the shortest braking distance of just 120 feet. The Mercedes Benz GLE on the other hand, with its lightweight chassis, manages a respectable 124-feet stop despite sporting one of the smallest hardware in the class. Though official data on the Audi Q7 is unavailable, it should manage to do it under what the Discovery has based on our test data from the previous iterations, which puts the 2023 Land Rover Discovery unsurprisingly at the back of the pack in this department.

The fuel economy number on the 2023 Land Rover Discovery is mediocre at best. Sporting a small 2.0L engine that has been boosted close to 300hp, the best that you could manage out of this SUV is 22mpg, that too when driven sedately on highways. The combined figure is rated at 21mgps while the city efficiency stands at 19mpg. All figures are EPA test cycle figures and the real-world number based on our test should lie between 15-17mpgs in mixed conditions. What gives the 2023 Discovery an advantage here (sort of) is its huge 23.8-gallon gas tank. This aspect does give it a maximum range of over 500 miles in a combined driving cycle, which most other vehicles in this class would find hard to match.

The Mercedes Benz GLE class with the least powered engine unsurprisingly has the best overall fuel economy rating here. This combined with the additional 9th ratio on the G-Tronic transmission and low curb weight helps it squeeze out the best highway gas mileage of 27mpg and an overall range of over 600 miles. The BMW X5 also surprised us with its overall efficiency and range which matches the Mercedes, despite housing the biggest and most powerful engine in the competition. The Audi Q7 comes close to the BMW in individual figures and also matches it in range tanks to the bigger 22.5-gallon fuel tank in the Audi. The 2023 Land Rover Discovery, apart from taking advantage of its bigger fuel tank, is more towards the guzzling side of things.

If you have ever been inside a Land Rover Discovery that has been made since mid-2021, this model should look and feel exactly the same. Having received a major overhaul recently that already has turned the luxury and appeal of this place to eleven(relatively speaking), Land Rover has decided to keep the interiors of the 2023 Land Rover Discovery untouched as far as the overall layout and selection of materials go. However, to keep things interesting, they have improved the equipment list on their premium midsize SUV and for 2023 it gets heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, three-zone climate control, wireless phone charger, electronic steering adjustment, and a premium 12-speaker audio system as standard fitment. A 7.0-inch part digital driver’s information display is also on offer here, but for the 12.3-inch full-fledged unit, you would need to go for the R-Dynamic trim.

The seats themselves on the 2023 Land Rover Discovery feel really accommodating and probably have the most shoulder to offer on any SUV that we have seen from this class. The grained leather upholstery feels plush and posh, with the front row seats taking advantage of the 14-way of power adjustments and heating functionality. The seats are set high in typical Land Rover fashion which helps improve overall outward visibility and also brings in a sense of airiness given the fact that the window line feels lower. However, things do start to get a little cramped with the third row as with any mid-sizers these days, and access to this row is rather a workout, especially if you are on the hefty side. When not in use, these seats can be folded down to excavate almost 45 cu-ft. of cargo area which is huge by segment standards, but with the seats up, the area does get slashed down to just 9.1 cu-ft. which might not all that accommodating for a 7-person weekend trip.

As far as usability goes, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery and the Audi Q7 right away get an advantage in usability as on being the only vehicles to get offered in a standard 3-row configuration. However, the Mercedes Benz GLE and the BMW X5 do have a 3-row configuration available on demand, but in both cases, the third rows are straight-up unusable for adults and the seats completely use up the trunk area. As far as cabin space goes, all four SUVs come evenly matched in dimension with the Merc offering slightly better legroom at the rear. However, if you looking at the overall cabin airiness, Land Rover Discovery and the Audi Q7 are the two best SUVs here, with the former also offering the class-biggest cargo area behind the second row.

Some standout interior features of the 2023 Land Rover Discovery include:

• 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster
• Ebony-grained leather seat facings
• Light Oyster Morzine headlining
• 14-way power-operated front seats with heating
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with electronic adjustmen
• Standard 3-zone automatic climate control
• One-touch moonroof
• Electronic parking brake

How intuitive is the 2023 Land Rover Discovery’s infotainment system?

The latest Pivi Pro infotainment system from Land Rover definitely feels like a much-needed update. Brought in with the 2022 model year, this software housed in an 11.4-inch super sharp tablet-like screen is a breeze to use. The layout feels simple to navigate and the screen itself is set at the right angle within easy reach. Features like wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay are standard and this year also sees the inclusion of a 12-Speaker Meridian premium audio system that sounds fantastic. Apart from the multiple selections of USB ports on each row, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery now gets equipped with a wireless phone charger as part of the standard package as well. In all, apart from maybe the slight glare on the reflective display surface, there is pretty much nothing to complain about the 2023 Land Rover Discovery’s infotainment. However, we would have also loved seeing the 12.3-inch driver’s display making an appearance in the base trim.

Standout infotainment features available with the 2023 Land Rover Discovery:

• 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity
• 12-Speaker Meridian premium audio system
• Bluetooth/ SiriusXM/ 4G LTE/ WiFi Hot Spot
• Navigation (available)
• Wireless phone charger
• 3D surround camera

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery is an evolution of a design that we have been seeing for a long time now, and honestly, with new midsize SUVs popping up at every corner, this Land Rover certainly has started showing its age. We are in no way claiming that this SUV is a bad looker in any possible way but given that its posher sibling has gone through a refresh for a sleeker outlook, we would have liked to see the same thing happening here. The fancy Metropolitan grade gets bigger 22-inch wheels and slightly tweaked exterior elements for this year, but is it enough to make this SUV look any refreshing compared to the 2017 model which saw the introduction of this styling? Probably not!

The exterior would be the least updated part of the 2023 Land Rover Discovery lineup with the only notable difference being a contrasting black roof, which yet again, is reserved for the R-Dynamic trim. However, Land Rover has not skimped on any features with the 2023 Discovery as it does get a host of equipment including standard 20-Inch gloss finished wheels, heated/powered outside mirror with memory functions and auto-dimming functions, keyless entry, full LED exterior lighting with signature running light, a power panoramic sunroof and keyless entry. In all, apart from the all-too-familiar looks, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery seems to have got all things right with its outsides.

The elephant in the room (literally), which is the 2023 Land Rover Discovery, weighing a hefty 5,000 pounds with the driver, is a beefy machine. This is something that you will certainly notice when driving and also inversely impacts its performance despite it being one of the most powerful SUVs here. The BMW X5 does come really close but certainly does an excellent job of masking the weight when behind the wheel. The Audi Q7, which essentially is the biggest SUV in this class, manages to come in at just over 4,800 pounds while the Mercedes Benz GLE, which boasts an identical wheelbase as the Audi, weighs in at 4608 pounds, which is the lowest in its class. Note that the GLE Class and the X5 would gain weight when equipped with their respective AWD systems that the rest comes as standard.

Some of the standout exterior features on the 2023 Land Rover Discovery include:

• Full LED automatic headlamps with signature DRLs
• LED tail lamps
• Heated and power-adjustable outside rear-view mirrors 
• Driver mirror memory and auto-dimming functions
• 20–inch gloss silver alloy wheels
• One-touch panoramic moon roof.
• Keyless entry
• Powered tailgate

Since the 2023 Land Rover Discovery runs on a platform that has not yet been crash tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS, there are no structural safety ratings available as of now. However, an external agency (NCAP) has conducted a crash safety test on this generation of the Discovery, and based on their reports, it does come out with a 5-Star rating, eyeing the fact that the testing procedures are a bit different. Add to that, with Land Rover offering standard driver assistance equipment like adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition with speed limiter, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a 3D surround camera, you are not missing out on top-shelf safety here. However, we would have loved to see the inclusion of amenities like a blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning at this price tag, but it seems like even the top trims get it as optional equipment.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Land Rover Discovery include:

• Emergency braking
• Lane Keeping assist
• Blind-spot detection (Available)
• Adaptive cruise control
• Traffic sign recognition with speed limiter
• 3D Surround camera

2023 Land Rover Discovery vs 2023 BMW X5

The Land Rover Discovery and the BMW X5 mark two extreme ends of the premium midsize SUV segment. While the Discovery tries to explore the traditional SUV philosophy with a luxury take, the X5 marks the start of a focused, sharp, and driver-centric bunch of SUVs. Due to these aspects, the BMW always manages to be the better daily driver offering sophisticated road-going tech, driving mannerisms, fuel efficiency, and even outright performance. The only place where the Discovery could stand up against the X5 is in off-road capability, which again is not a mainstream requirement by the audience of this class. So, even if the 2023 BMW commands a higher starting price, it is well worth that premium for what it offers over the now-dated luxury Land Rover.

2023 Land Rover Discovery vs 2023 Mercedes GLE Class

Though the Land Rover Discovery is an opulent SUV on its own, it always slots in a rank below the Mercedes Benz GLE Class when it comes to sheer luxury. It also stands the same for ride, refinement, and noise insulation as well, with the Merc performing noticeably better in each aspect. Though rough road duties are better in the hands of the 2023 Discovery, general usability, comfort, and fuel economy are slightly better on the GLE. Apart from the third row, it might also offer a better ride experience compared to the Land Rover. With a significant update coming in for 2023, the Mercedes GLE finds a stronger case for itself being the better choice here, which by the way, is our recommended pick as well.

2023 Land Rover Discovery vs 2022 Audi Q7

The Land Rover Discovery and the Audi Q7 probably must be the SUVs to have the most in common here starting with the standard 3-row seating, All-Wheel-drivetrain, and 2.0L forced induction base engine options boasting similar economy numbers. Even the starting prices are not that different, with the Discovery commanding a slight premium. Although we are a bit partial to the Discovery for being the real SUV here, we cannot ignore the tech, cabin room, and performance metrics that the Q7 is better rated for. Yes, the Discovery triumphs the Q7 in off-road capability here, but that might be of minimal importance to most buyers in this segment. So, in all, deciding between these two SUVs should purely come to one’s requirement and the sort of brand recall that one values more.

Having existed in the same guise for over half a decade now, it is hard not to point at how dated the Land Rover Discovery has started to feel. Although Land Rover has tried their best to keep it afresh with facelifts and equipment upgrades, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery does feel a bit last gen in the way it goes about doing its things. Though the performance, ride, and utility aspects are nothing to complain about in their own right, price-competitive rivals have started delivering a much more sophisticated experience except for maybe the off-road department. With its posher sibling getting a generation update with this model year, we also think that it's time for the Discovery to follow suit. So, even though we are well aware that the 2023 Land Rover Discovery is one of the most capable SUVs in its class, we just can’t ignore the rest of the factors which come in as prime aspects for purchase in this segment.