It might look the same on the outside, but the 2021 Land Rover Discovery is quite different on the inside. New engines, new technologies, and new seats highlight the changes to the 2021 Discovery, which is Land Rover’s 7-passenger, family-oriented SUV. And while a sporty new R-Dynamic version debuts, the lineup is nevertheless trimmed down to include 2.0L S, 2.0L S R-Dynamic, 3.0L S R-Dynamic, and 3.0L HSE R-Dynamic.
All 2021 Land Rover Discovery models get a light styling refresh with new bumper and lighting designs. When you choose R-Dynamic trim, you get sport bumper styling and both gloss black and dark gray exterior accents. With black wheels and a black roof, the result is a custom appearance.
In addition to a new steering wheel with metal paddle shifters and controls that remain invisible until the SUV is running, the 2021 Discovery has revised digital instrumentation, a new flush-mounted infotainment system, and reworked climate and center console controls. A new Cabin Air Ionization system filters to PM2.5 particulate matter size.
Second-row seats are new, adding more lateral and thigh support for improved passenger comfort. Land Rover also moves the air conditioning vents to the roof pillars and updates the folding seat system so that it’s easier to expand cargo volume. Official measurements range from 9.1 cubic feet behind the third-row seat to a maximum of 74.3 cubic feet.
Land Rover cancels the Discovery’s 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 and the 3.0-liter supercharged gasoline V-6 engines for 2021. In their place, a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine debut for 2021, each using mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) technology to conserve fuel.
The new standard 4-cylinder makes 296 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, while the available 6-cylinder is good for 355 horsepower and 365 lb.-ft. Four-wheel drive is standard, and with the 6-cylinder engine, it continually varies torque distribution between the front and rear axles.Â
The Discovery’s Terrain Response 2 traction system gains a new Wade mode for 2021, improving braking performance after driving through deep standing water.
New for 2021, Land Rover’s available ClearSight Ground View camera system improves the Discovery’s outward visibility by showing the driver what’s happening at ground level.
Otherwise, the Discovery’s safety equipment is unchanged. It continues to offer adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, surround-view cameras, and more.
Equipped with new electrical system architecture, the 2021 Land Rover Discovery now offers the company’s Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch high-definition touchscreen display.
The benefits of the new technology include fast loading and response time, over-the-air software update capability, and upgraded hardware that better manages multiple tasks simultaneously. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are standard, and the Bluetooth system can accommodate two smartphones at once. Wireless device charging is an option.
Additionally, the 2021 Discovery offers high-definition 3-D navigation mapping within the 12.3-inch digital instrumentation cluster, as well as an optional head-up display. Click-and-Go tablet computer holders replace the optional rear-seat entertainment system, and a wearable next-generation Activity Key with touchscreen controls means the Discovery’s key fob need not accompany you for outdoor exercising or adventuring.Â
Land Rover is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of November 9, 2020, but it may have changed since that date.
