New vs used Land Rover Discovery: What are the top 4 differences?
It’s time for the Land Rover Discovery to benefit from its manufacturer’s strategy of continuous improvement. When the updated Discovery arrives here in 2021, it will boast new engines, enhanced cabin comfort, and a host of new available in-car technology. We highlight the four main differences between a used (outgoing) Discovery and a new (facelifted) one.
After almost four years on the local market, it’s time for the Land Rover Discovery to receive its mid-life facelift. This round of updates is quite comprehensive, and brings improvements to the Discovery’s appearance, some new powertrains, the latest high-tech toys inside the cabin, and enhanced occupant comfort to the package.
Related: We pitched the Land Rover Discovery against two equally-modern opponents in this value-for-money comparison.
1. Revised styling
For the most part, the outgoing Discovery still looks fresh, so they could really have left its appearance as it was for a while longer, except for one element: the off-centre rear number plate. Land Rover’s styling department disagrees, however, so that’s the one thing they left untouched by this refresh. Ah well, the other changes look very good, so we’ll have to oversee that affront to symmetry. Again.
Restyling amounts to the usual package of new bumpers at either end, redesigned (and very pretty) LED lamps all round, and detail changes to the tailgate. The turn signal lamps are now sequential, and the front DRLs are mounted lower inside the slimline headlight clusters. Overall, this round of changes bring the Discovery in line with the latest Land Rover design language.
2. All-new engines
All 6-cylinder models receive new Ingenium engines, with two 6-cylinder options in petrol- or diesel flavours. This time around, both petrol and diesel engines are inline sixes, both feature 48V mild hybrid technology, and the petrol version uses turbocharging for its forced induction – meaning a fond farewell to the characterful but thirsty supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol and deeply charismatic V6 diesel units.
The specs appear promising: the D300 (diesel) delivers 221 kW and 650 Nm, and the P360 (petrol) produces 265 kW and 500 Nm. These figures represent useful improvement on their predecessors, and should post significantly lower real-world fuel consumption figures as well. It is as yet unclear whether the currently-available 4-cylinder Ingenium variants will remain part of the range, but the chances are that they will continue with (at most) some output upgrades, or eventually sprout some mild hybridisation as well.
Related: When reviewing the pre-facelift Land Rover Discovery, the supercharged V6 made us smile, but drained its fuel tank at an alarming rate.
3. Infotainment system upgrade and cameras everywhere
Land Rover teased us with imagery and video material of new off-road-enabled camera systems they’ve been developing quite a while ago, and that technology has now reached the marketplace. The new Discovery has a trick that no Discovery before it ever had: ClearSight Ground View technology.
This clever camera system has been spreading across the Land Rover model range, and is also available on the new Evoque, Discovery Sport and new Defender. Utilising wide-angle front- and rear cameras (along with the side-view cameras) and some clever graphics processing, ClearView is intended to make the bonnet and tailgate “disappear” for the driver, displaying the area immediately ahead of the car on the centre screen and the area behind the car in the rear-view mirror. Nifty.
Of course, such cinematographic tricks need hi-res displays and lots of processing power, which is where the new Pivi Pro infotainment system comes in. The dash-mounted colour touchscreen now measures 11.4 inches (up by 48%), and employs a new operating system and dual embedded LTE modems to perform over-the-air software updates and provide the latest user functionality.
The new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is no less impressive, and can be configured to show a 3D navigation display in addition to crucial vehicle operation information, while connectivity receives a boost thanks to the ability to pair two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. A hi-res colour head-up display, wireless charging and cell signal boosting appear on the option list.
Related: Which Land Rover Discovery trim depreciates the fastest?
4. Enhanced second-row comfort
We’re familiar with the Discovery’s available electrically-folding second- and third-row seats, which can be controlled via the central touchscreen. What is new is the middle seating row itself, where the seats have been completely redesigned to optimise occupant comfort.
The seat bases are longer and thicker to give more under-thigh support, and the adjustable backrests provide increased lateral support. These changes lead to improved posture, which reduces passengers’ strain during long-distance travel to a minimum. Further comfort enhancement comes courtesy of relocated second-row air vents, which move from the B-pillars to the rear of the centre console to increase the airflow to the rear cabin.
The new Land Rover Discovery is due to be launched in South Africa in the first half of 2021, and the full model range and finalised prices will be announced closer to arrival.
Related: Used cars ranked by practicality – Premium SUVs
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