Used Land Rover Discovery for sale: everything you need to know
The Discovery is one of Land Rover’s longest-running nameplates - the first version arrived all the way back in 1989, effectively serving as a more usable, more family-friendly alternative to the more agricultural Land Rover Series and Defender models. The latest Discovery, launched in 2017, fulfils a similar purpose, though with the new Defender and a wider lineup of Range Rovers now on offer, the Discovery’s role is perhaps not as defined as it once was.
It still does some things very well though: it’s large, it’s spacious, and it’s very adept at towing, thanks to a 3500kg rating, which will comfortably cover everything from horseboxes to boats to caravans. Read on to find out more about the Discovery, and which versions are best to buy.
Should you buy a Land Rover Discovery?
The fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery doesn’t seem to have quite enjoyed the sales success of its predecessors. Perhaps that’s something to do with the more rounded styling, a departure from its boxier predecessors, but even if it’s not quite hit the mark with new buyers, the Discovery still makes a good used buy.
It’s got the same practicality and flexibility of the older Discoverys for a start. The split tailgate remains, not just allowing you to quickly load things through the open rear window, but folding down the lower half also serves as a place to sit, perhaps to have a picnic or remove muddy boots before getting into the car.
There are still seven seats too, which fold electrically in higher-spec models, and when the seats are flat the load space is enormous - more than 900 litres in five-seat mode. The cabin is attractive and well-built, and top-spec cars feel more like Range Rovers thanks to high-quality leather and high-end sound systems. The latest six-cylinder cars have a pleasingly effortless feel on the road too, and air suspension gives you both a cushioned ride, and the ability to increase the Disco’s ground clearance for off-roading - something that, being a Land Rover, it’s still fully capable of.
While there are alternatives to the Discovery from other manufacturers, there are actually a few choices in-house before you go elsewhere - the smaller Discovery Sport is more affordable, while the Land Rover Defender has some of the old Disco’s chunkiness, and the Range Rover Sport and full-size Range Rover both up the luxury, if you have the budget. Otherwise, consider cars like the BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
What’s the best used Land Rover Discovery model to buy?
Some earlier Discovery models were offered with 2-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, but we’d suggest looking for later 3-litre six-cylinder models instead, as the recent D250 and D300 diesels should be a little more adept at moving such a large and heavy vehicle with a little less stress than the smaller 2-litre units. Earlier V6 turbodiesels are also worth a look, though you can expect the later engines to be more efficient. All trim levels are well-equipped, so picking the right grade is a case of deciding how much luxury you need.
Used Land Rover Discovery fuel economy and performance
- Land Rover Discovery D250: The 3-litre turbodiesel straight six of the D250 makes 250PS and hauls the heavy SUV to 62mph in 8.1 seconds. It has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity too, while average economy is 33.8mpg.
- Land Rover Discovery D300: The same engine gets a power boost to 300PS in the D300, for a 6.8-second 0-62mph time, with 33.4mpg economy.
- Land Rover Discovery P360: The P360 gets a petrol 3-litre inline six, and the extra power over the diesels results in a 6.5-second 0-62mph time. Economy drops significantly though, for a 26.5mpg average.
What used Land Rover Discovery trim levels are available?
Most later Discoverys on the market will come in some variation of R-Dynamic trim - the sporty appearance package that Land Rover applies to almost all models in the range. It’s less prevalent on earlier models, which you’ll find in regular S, SE, and HSE trims, with HSE Luxury at the top of the range. Equipment levels though are similar to the newer models - you’ll typically find the later models have improved infotainment systems though.
- The Land Rover Discovery S is where the range starts and skips out on the sportier styling of the R-Dynamic models above - though it’s still well-equipped.
- The Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S adds the R-Dynamic styling pack, including a black roof, satin grey alloys, rear privacy glass and darkened rear lights.
- The Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic SE trades up to larger alloy wheels, upgraded LED headlights, and a better sound system, with a driver assist pack for improved safety features.
- The Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic HSE steps up to even larger alloys, plus matrix LED headlights, Windsor leather trim, and a 700W Meridian sound system.
- The Land Rover Discovery Metropolitan is a special edition with some unique features and a high level of specification.
- The Land Rover Discovery Commercial is actually a van version of the Discovery, with only two seats but the same five-door layout. Like the passenger car version it comes in a wide range of trim levels, from SE to R-Dynamic HSE, so there’s little loss of luxury.
Used Land Rover Discovery dimensions and boot size
The Land Rover Discovery’s exterior dimensions are:
- Length: 4956mm
- Width: 2073mm (with door mirrors folded)
- Height: 1888mm
- Ground clearance: 207mm (up to 283mm in off-road mode)
The Land Rover Discovery’s boot space is:
- 922 litres in five-seat mode (172 litres in seven-seat mode)
- 1997 litres with rear seats folded
Used Land Rover Discovery road tax
The majority of current-shape Discovery models are subject to a flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’, plus a surcharge for costing more than £40,000 brand new. This means for most models you’ll currently pay £600 a year (as of the 2024/2025 tax year), though the earliest models (seven years old or older) will now have dropped down to a lower rate of £190.
How much is it to insure a Land Rover Discovery?
Like most other Land Rover products, insurance for the Discovery is towards the upper end of the scale. An entry-level Discovery S with the D250 engine starts in group 38 out of 50, and it only goes up from there - R-Dynamic S trim steps up to group 39, the D300 and P360 begin in group 41, and the top-spec models reach group 45.
