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The 2021 Land Rover Discovery updates and features are well worth the price for a highly capable luxury off-road machine that’s come a long way since 1989.
Coming into Its Own
Looking back at the Land Rover’s Discovery Series 1 in 1989 is like viewing Hollywood stars high school photos. It’s hard to imagine anything that looked so awkward then could look so beautiful now. Yet here we are, thanks to the wonders of plastic surgery, strength training, and more than a few excellent family genes. Are the new updates, tech additions, and refreshes worth the effort? Let’s find out.
Nips and Tucks on the Outside
2021 Land Rover Discovery – landrover.com | Shop new Land Rover Discovery on Carsforsale.com
When it comes to the 2021 Discovery, Land Rover has thankfully not messed too much with success on the crossover’s outside appearance. If you’re detail-oriented, you’ll notice the new matrix LED headlamps integrated with a more elegant running light design. The grille gets an updated look to fit in better with the family nose, and the Discovery badge on the rear deck has been moved down a bit – just because.
New this year is the R-Dynamic cosmetic trim, which Land Rover hopes will be their hero car and a big seller. It’s definitely sportier looking with its black wheels, gloss black trim, and two-tone leather upholstery. If the Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic is any indication, you can expect to pay an additional fee of 5-15% for this style only trim depending on the configuration, so you’ll need to decide if that works for you. It’s not bad, just different.
It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts
If you eventually get on the 2021 Land Rover Discovery build and price page, you won’t see the V6 turbo diesel or supercharged V6 as an option. They’re gone and replaced by a 296-HP turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with an attached 48-volt hybrid system that puts out 355-HP.
You may wonder what a 48-volt hybrid system is? More automakers are beginning to use a mild-hybrid EV system (MHEV) to reduce their emissions and boost MPG. Land Rover is pairing the inline-six with a small electric motor, and it essentially works as an advanced stop-start system. The electrical motor lets the engine switch off when you’re slowing the car down and keeps things like the a/c, audio, power steering, and other electric systems going. You won’t necessarily know it’s happening, but it works to save gas. The MHEV system also has the side benefit of adding more horsepower and torque.
In the Seats
The first thing you may notice sitting in the Discovery’s pilot seat is the addition of Land Rover‘s new Pivi Pro infotainment system. It first appeared in the 2020 Land Rover Defender’s ground-up redesign and is a welcome improvement from the previous InControl system. Its user-interface is simpler, more logical, and responds quickly to the touch. Land Rover says 90% of the menu functions are accessible within two taps or less. Plus, it can be updated over the air, like your phone, without having to take it to a dealer. Most definitely a plus.
The Pivi Pro’s 40% larger and 30% brighter 11.4-inch screen will also display controls for expected interior functions and the not so expected 360-degree camera system with “ClearSight Ground View.” This system allows you to see through the 2021 Land Rover Discovery’s hood and engine to the front wheels. It displays the normal multiple exterior views and the vehicle’s underside and wheels so you can see what the off-road terrain is like. That’s amazingly smart, and something Land Rover would do, of course.
In other areas of this new crossover, if you have a newer smartphone, you’ll appreciate the addition of a charging pad that every manufacturer is rushing to include. And for the driver, you get an upgraded wearable activity key that has its own touchscreen. Instead of just locking and unlocking the 2021 Discovery, you’ll be able also to start the car and heat the interior while you’re rappelling back down your latest cliff face. It’s something else to put on your wrist and might eventually give way to a BMW- or Mercedes-like incorporation on your phone. For now, Land Rover says that 40% of its buyers opt for the activity key.
Moving out of the front seats of the 2021 Discovery to the second row hasn’t always been the most enjoyable experience. However, the second-row seats have more padding, so passengers are treated with more respect and comfort. You’ll also notice more USB-C ports for rear passengers and more comfort from the air vents that have moved from the B-pillars to a more effective spot at the rear of the center console.
How Much Will this Makeover Cost?
The 2021 Land Rover Discovery crossover was expected to be in dealerships by the end of the year, although as of mid-November, dealers still haven’t received notice of shipping dates or if they’re shipping at all. When they eventually arrive, it’s expected that you can purchase the turbo inline-six R-Dynamic for $63,250. The turbocharged four-cylinder S model starts at $55,250 while moving up a little to the stylish R-Dynamic trimmed S model will cost $57,250. The top-of-the-line HSE, with its standard 3.0-liter engine, will cost you $77,250.
All in all, the numbers and features are well worth the price for a highly-capable, family-toting, luxury off-road machine that has aged really well.
2021 Land Rover Discovery – landrover.com | Shop new Land Rover Discovery on Carsforsale.com
