The 2022 Land Rover Discovery is a posh mid-size SUV with serious off-road chops, seamless tech connectivity and the polish to make everyday excursions a little less ordinary. A three-row vehicle, it features comfortable seating for five or seven, depending on the size of your passengers. You can take a great deal with you too, as the Discovery’s 8,200-pound towing capacity rivals many full-size SUVs. 

Accessible, but not inexpensive, the 2022 Discovery is a posh and capable contender in the rapidly growing, midsize premium SUV market. Compelling rivals like the Audi Q7, Genesis GV80 and the Acura MDX are strong competitors, but the Discovery distinguishes itself with distinctively rugged good looks, luxuriously appointed interior features and real off-road and towing ability. It’s true that the Q7 and GV80 are decent towing rigs, but neither are going to get anywhere near as dirty, or lug as much, as the Discovery. And the Land Rover costs half as much as Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

After receiving a major refresh in 2021, the Discovery continues largely unchanged for 2022 thanks to many factors, but mostly Covid-19-related supply-chain disruptions. There are three trims S (starting at $53,900), R-Dynamic S ($56,400 with the base engine or $61,900 with the larger inline-six) and the HSE ($69,900, inline-six only). The standard 296-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers decent performance, but the 355-horsepower 3.0-liter, mild-hybrid inline six bumps up the grunt considerably.

Tall and imposing, the Land Rover Discovery offers a good combination of luxury confines, off-road talent and towing brawn, but it drives more like a truck than a crossover.  Teia Collier

Four-cylinder models can move 6,613 pounds, more than almost any other three-row midsize SUV, while six-cylinder jobs get the full 8,200-pound rating. The eight-speed automatic, standard four-wheel drive (4WD) and optional two-speed transfer case and air suspension help the big Disco off-road, and that last feature can lift the SUV to a staggering 11 inches off the ground. This is not an off-road pretender, but it also rides a little rougher around town than some purely on-pavement machines. Still, it’s much smoother than a Jeep Wrangler or a Toyota 4Runner.

The vertical, almost boxy Discovery offers flexible seating for seven and comfortable seating for five. The third row is decently roomy for a midsize SUV and a nice feature to have, though space behind it is limited. With the wayback seat folded, the Discovery delivers 45 cubic-feet of space, and 74.3 when all the seats are folded. Refined, minimalist interiors with a British sensibility are Land Rover’s calling card, and the Discovery is no exception. The lines and textures within the cabin remind you that everything has an ideal place for connecting and discreet storage. 

Easy access to tech connectivity, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, charging ports throughout the vehicle and polished touch points enhance the experience. The Discovery also comes equipped with other standard driver assistance technology including forward collision alert with emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and active driver monitoring to add an extra layer of security to the driving experience. It’s expensive, yes, but the Discovery can make off-road journeys other SUVs can’t and ordinary on-road journeys are that much more appealing.  

The Discovery is often compared to its newer sister, the Defender, but the former’s interior looks and feels appreciably more luxurious.  Land Rover

Performance: 13/15

P300 models use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Above that is the optional P360 turbocharged inline six-cylinder powerplant is allied to a 48-volt mild hybrid system, which is rated at 355-horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Each of the available trims use eight-speed automatic transmissions and 4WD is standard.

The Discovery is not designed to deliver canyon-carving handling, but acceleration is more than acceptable. The four-cylinder models can sprint to 60 mph in the high 6-second range, while six-cylinder P360s are about half a second faster. The best off-road goodies, like the two-speed transfer case and locking rear differential, are reserved for P360s, but all Discoveries are very capable.

Renowned for its off-road prowess and prestige styling, the capable Discovery comes equipped with active dynamic suspension and technology that responds effectively to whichever terrain you encounter, even up to 35-inches of water with the new wade sensing mode. To drive, the Discovery is solid, steady and fairly truck-like for what is technically a crossover. It feels a little like a full-size pickup overlayed with the comfort and quiet of a luxury SUV.  

The safety tech is unintrusive and doesn’t interfere much with daily driving.  In keeping with its design as a formidable family off-road legend, even the base model Discovery provides a useful 6,613 pounds of tow capacity, more than enough for your small RV or outdoor gear. The six-cylinder versions are rated at 8,200 pounds, which is more than some full-size SUVs.

Fuel Economy: 12/15 

Four-cylinder and six-cylinder versions of the Discovery get almost the same mileage. Both earn 21 mpg combined, with six-cylinder models earning 18 mpg city and 24 highway but four-cylinder models getting 19 mpg city and 22 highway. Mild hybrids, the P360 models use their electric motor to help the gas engine but can’t operate on electric power.

For big, heavy towing-capable vehicles that’s pretty good and puts the Discovery in even company with the Acura MDX’s 22 mpg combined, 19 City and 26 highway and ahead of the Genesis GV80’s 20 mpg combined, 18 City and 23 highway. It’s even or slightly ahead of most of its other premium midsize SUV classmates.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 11/15

While crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS were not available for the 2022 Discovery, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), a European agency which performs similar evaluations, gave the Discovery a five-star overall rating. 

It’s always a pleasant surprise when the standard driver assistance and safety suite is comprehensive and well-rounded. The Discovery comes standard with emergency braking, 3D surround cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings with lane keep assist, front and rear parking assistance, blind spot monitoring and the unique wade sensing. For an additional cost, drivers can purchase Premium LED headlights ($650), Automatic High Beam Assist ($250), Front Fog Lights ($100) and a spare tire that will run between $450 and $700, depending on the size, which is helpful for off-roaders.

Both rows in the back of the Discovery are fairly accommodating, with 37.4 inches of second-row legroom and 33.5 in the third row, which puts it as a class leader.  Land Rover

Comfort & Room: 11/15

Discreet luxury meets comfort in the Discovery. Across the three trims, passenger space in the second row is comfortable and competitive with the other premium mid-size SUVs in its space, but like the Acura MDX, Lexus RX and much-larger Toyota Sequoia the legroom in the third row is narrow and best used for small children or “if you must’”usage. 

That being said, the seats themselves are more comfortable since last year’s refresh, and in fine Land Rover tradition, you can make this SUV even more of a luxury drawing room by ticking some option boxes. Dual-toned vegan leather or the Luxtec material are standard, but the optional ($1,500) Caramel Windsor leather seating with Ebony trim throughout the vehicle is gorgeous and feels truly special.

Also standard are the 14-way electric front captain’s chairs, the 60/40 electric folding, manual slide second-row seats and a manually folding third row. Upgrade to the 18-way, electric, heated driver’s seat for $1,350, a heated second and/or row for an additional $500 per row.

Infotainment: 13/15

Land Rover updated its Pivi Pro infotainment system in 2021, and in the Discovery it runs on an 11.4-inch touchscreen. A wireless charger is standard, as are USB and 12V chargers in the front and rear. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, so if you don’t like the default interface alternatives are close at hand. Pivi Pro is also Alexa- and Wi-Fi-enabled.

The Meridian sound system is magnificent and disperses crisp, clear customizable sound evenly throughout the vehicle. Almost all of the navigation system tools are routed through the infotainment system but thankfully it’s easy to use and logically organized. Also accessible through the infotainment screen are comfort features like seat, sound and ambient lighting, but Land Rover retains hard controls for many of these features. 

The Discovery has plenty of room for gear, though like most three-row midsizes, there’s not a ton of room when the third row is in place. Teia Collier

Cargo Space & Storage: 13/15

Paramount in the allure of midsize SUVs are big cargo space and flexible seating and Discovery has both. With both rows of seating upright, the trunk space in the Discovery dwindles to petite proportions (just 9.1 cubic-feet) as the third row encroaches. Folding the third row reveals 45 cubic-feet of space, good enough for most families’ traveling gear, but folding all the seats down reveals slightly above-average room.

With all seats folded there are 74.3 cubic-feet of space, which is more generous than the Audi Q7 (69.6) and the Infiniti QX60 (65.7), but significantly smaller than the Genesis GV80 (84). Inside, there are cargo holds in the doors, center console, side pockets in the trunk and pockets behind the front row passenger seats.  The roof also holds a smart 174 pounds of additional cargo and a power tailgate is standard. 

Style & Design: 8/10

Tall, imposing and bearing some resemblance to the posh Range Rover, the Discovery exudes quiet, calm and real-world luxury. It presents unusually well within its cube-like casing although some details might seem odd to the uninitiated. It does look narrow, but that’s mostly because of its height, and the asymmetrical design of the tailgate is a reference to the classic 1980s-era first-generation Discovery.

The cabin is inspired by classic aeronautical design, and the details are refined, polished and imbued with a high-end feel and vibe. The Windsor leather is a textural boon; reminiscent of the leather used in handbags from exclusive boutiques and worth the extra expense. Combined it makes a brilliant match for the buyer seeking an accessible luxury option in the premium midsize set. 

Tall but sleek, the Discovery does a fair visual imitation of its much pricier Range Rover siblings at a considerably lower cost. Land Rover

Is the 2022 Land Rover Discovery Worth it? Which Discovery is the Best Value?

Delivering off-road prowess, towing capability and a distinctive presence, the 2022 Discovery is a nice value option for those entering the luxury space or who want finer accommodations in an off-road adventurer.  

As far as the best value option in the lineup, we’d opt for the four-cylinder R Dynamic S. At $58,850 (including a $1,350 destination charge) it’s a bit pricier than the base S model, but it’s dressed up snazzily with a smartly contrasting black roof, special wheels and upgraded interiors while delivering the towing capacity of a mid-size truck. It also generates enough power to carry you from the city or the suburbs to off-the-beaten-path with ease.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Land Rover Discovery?

The Discovery’s insurance costs are on par with its competitors. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with clean record can expect an average annual premium of $2,405 for the P300 R-Dynamic S, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $2,547 for the Genesis GV80, $2,350 for the Lexus RX350-L, $2,325 for the Volvo XC90 and $2,587 for the Lincoln Aviator. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.