Verdict
B
Large SUV · UK · 1989-Present
Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover Discovery — spec data and generation history.
Years
1989-Present
Generations
5
Segment
Large SUV
Land Rover's family-focused 7-seat SUV. Four post-1989 generations: Series I (1989-1998 — UK tail 1996-1998) — original Discovery on Range Rover Classic chassis, 200 Tdi then 300 Tdi diesel, 3.5 / 3.9 V8 EFi petrol. Series II (1998-2004) — last body-on-frame Disco. 4.0 V8 / 2.5 Td5. Discovery 3 (L319, 2004-2009) — first integrated body, 4.4 V8 / 2.7 TDV6 / 4.0 V6. Discovery 4 (L319 facelift, 2009-2017) — 5.0 V8 / 3.0 TDV6 SDV6. Discovery 5 (L462, 2017-Present) — monocoque body, 2.0 Ingenium / 3.0 V6 / mild-hybrid. PHEV not offered globally. Discovery Sport (separate slug) covered separately.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
Discovery 4 2009-2017 → Discovery 5 2017-Present
BHP +0
Torque +0 Nm
0–60 mph −0.4 s
Top speed +0
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1989-1998
Series I
→
3.9 V8 EFi — 182 bhp, 0-62 in 12.4s.
Verdict
C
BHP
182
0–60
12.4 s
Top
100 mph
MPG
12 mpg
Used
$4,400-$19,000
- + Range Rover Classic chassis underneath
- + 300 Tdi a tractor that runs forever
- − Chassis rust
- − Cabin spartan
1998-2004
Series II
→
4.0 V8 — 188 bhp, 0-62 in 11.3s.
Verdict
B
BHP
188
0–60
11.3 s
Top
105 mph
MPG
12 mpg
Used
$1,900-$8,300
- + Body-on-frame
- + 7-seat
- − ACE failures
- − Wiring harness
2004-2009
Discovery 3
→
4.4 V8 — 295 bhp, 0-62 in 8.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
295
0–60
8.5 s
Top
121 mph
MPG
14 mpg
Used
$3,800-$13,000
- + Integrated body / chassis
- + Air suspension
- − Air suspension cost
- − TDV6 timing belt
2009-2017
Discovery 4
→
5.0 V8 — 375 bhp, 0-62 in 7.9s.
Verdict
B
BHP
375
0–60
7.9 s
Top
121 mph
MPG
17 mpg
Used
$10,000-$32,000
- + Refreshed cabin
- + 3.0 TDV6 SDV6
- − Air suspension
- − TDV6 chain
2017-Present
Discovery 5
→
D300 — 296 bhp, 0-62 in 6.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
296
0–60
6.5 s
Top
130 mph
MPG
27 mpg
Used
$23,000-$91,000
- + Monocoque body — lighter
- + 3.0 mild-hybrid I6
- − Pivi Pro freezes
- − Air suspension
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1989-1998 · Series I
- Chassis rust at outriggers
- 300 Tdi cam belt failure
- Head gasket on V8 EFi
- Slam-panel and footwell rot
1998-2004 · Series II
- ACE active anti-roll bar
- Td5 wiring harness
- Rust
- 3-amigo dashboard lights
2004-2009 · Discovery 3
- Air suspension compressor
- TDV6 timing belt
- Plastic radiator end-tanks
- Heavy fuel use
2009-2017 · Discovery 4
- Air suspension
- TDV6 timing chain
- Touchscreen age
- 5.0 V8 not common
2017-Present · Discovery 5
- Pivi Pro freezes
- 8AT mechatronic
- Air suspension
- Real-world fuel use
Rivals
Volvo XC90 · Audi Q7 · BMW X7 · Range Rover