2021 Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover invented the luxury SUV when it started importing the Range Rover to the U.S. in the 1980s. Before that, rugged and capable Land Rovers were going where no vehicles had gone before, from the desert to the Arctic. Despite off-road prowess, the brand gained notoriety for building SUVs that broke down frequently and expensively. Even today, the brand retains its reputation, as Consumer Reports’ reliability data confirms. Used Land Rovers are risky purchases. Still, the Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport offer comfortable interiors, powerful engines, and a presence that makes them popular choices for Hollywood stars and British aristocrats alike. The Defender has matured into a luxe off-roader, losing some charm but gaining creature comforts. The brand is now part of Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata, a conglomerate based in India.

The LR4’s successor is a luxury three-row SUV that blends on-road civility with off-road and towing prowess. We found the 340-hp, 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine provides ample power and the eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly; this combo returned 17 mpg overall in our tests. A 254-hp, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 is also available. The second row can fit three adults, but it is too low for optimal comfort, and accessing the tight third-row seat is awkward. While the optional air suspension makes the ride steady and controlled, the Disco is a bit lumbering in corners. Controls can be confusing, but the front seats are very comfortable and the quiet cabin is nicely furnished. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking became standard in 2019, and blind spot warning in 2020.  New for 2021 is a 2.0-liter turbo four cylinder as the standard engine. Also, a 3.0-liter turbo six cylinder replaced the supercharged V6. Finally, rear cross traffic warning is standard for 2021.