New Model News

2021 Land Rover Discovery gets a new face, smarter tech as part of refresh

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Nov 11, 2020, 2:15 pm

The Land Rover Discovery has been giving a thorough refresh for the 2021 model year

Photo courtesy of Land Rover
It's been three years since the latest-generation Land Rover Discovery made landfall in the U.S. In the years that have passed, Land Rover has expanded and modernized its lineup, including the new Velar and Defender models. Now, it's the Discovery's turn.
The 2021 Land Rover Discovery gets new looks, an expanded lineup, and numerous tech upgrades as part of a proper mid-generation refresh. Land Rover will sell the model in four different options for buyers: 2.0L S, 2.0L S R-Dynamic, 3.0L S R-Dynamic, and 3.0L HSE R-Dynamic.

2021 Land Rover DiscoveryThe rear of the vehicle features new LED taillights.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

The exterior of the Discovery remains much the same with body proportions bringing to mind historic Discovery styling. The SUV now comes with new signature LED headlights, sweeping front and rear turn signals, and body-color front fender vents. Land Rover has redesigned the front bumper to feature a new winder body-colored graphic and fresh side vents. At its rear, the 2021 Discovery has new signature LED lights which sit on either side of a gloss black panel that incorporates traditional “Discovery" script.

R-Dynamic models get unique Gloss Black and Shadow Atlas exterior accents on the outside and two-tone leather and contrast seat stitching inside.
Land Rover continues to offer the Discovery with two powertrains in the U.S. Models with the "2.0L" designation are powered by a 296-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four while "3.0L" SUVs have a 355-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine under the hood.
The Discovery has an 8,200-pound maximum towing capacity and comes with Advanced Tow Assist.

2021 Land Rover DiscoveryThe Discover can tow over 8,000 pounds.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Designers have given the Discovery a new center console, which houses an 11.4-inch high-definition infotainment touch's creek that runs the company's well-organized Pivi Pro operating system. That area also houses a new shifter that offers a more pleasing tactile experience. Apple CarPlay is standard and Android Auto is available.

In front of the driver sits a new four-spoke steering wheel with hidden-until-lit switches, similar to what is on the Evoque and Velar. Beyond the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch interactive driver display that provides vital vehicles operations information and can display full-screen 3D navigation when requested. The dials displayed on the screen are configurable. A head-up display is available and over-the-air updates are possible.
The entire cabin benefits from Land Rover's new Cabin Air Ionization technology that scans incoming air, measures its quality and uses filters to adequately reduce fine particulates in the Discovery's cabin.

2021 Land Rover Discovery2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic models feature two-tone leather interiors.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Land Rover Click and Go tablet holders are incorporated into the Discovery's first row seatbacks. The system uses USB-A charging sockets and the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot within in the vehicle to deliver entertaining content to passengers.

A hand-free liftgate is a viable. To ease in configuring cargo space, the Discovery's infotainment screen offers fold command technology for rear seats. Second-row seats have been redesigned to offer enhanced comfort. That row also gets increased air flow from the SUV's ventilation system.
Buyers can get their Discovery with the second-generation Activity Key, which features touchscreen controls, a digital watch, and can lock, unlock, and start the vehicle as well as serve as a traditional fob.

2021 Land Rover DiscoveryThe model now has Land Rover's Pivi Pro infotainment system.Photo courtesy of Land Rover

Pricing for the 2021 Land Rover Discovery starts at $53,900 for the 2.0L S base model. The 2.0L S R-Dynamic starts at $56,400. Bumping up to the 3.0L S R-Dynamic moves the price tag to $61,900 while the top-tier HSE R-Dynamic comes in at $68,900.

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Year-end review

Tell us your best car-related memory from 2021

What was your best car-related experience this year?

Chris Teague

This year has been a lot of things, but it hasn't been boring. Even if we focus only on the car world, there's plenty to talk about, from microchip-related new vehicle shortages to the wave of new electric vehicles hitting the market. That leaves us with a question for all of you: What was the best or most memorable car moment for you in 2021? I'll get the conversation started.

Porsche Cayenne GTSMy SoCal Cayenne śaw snow for the first time in its nearly 200k-mile life last week.Chris Teague

I'd spent a good portion of 2021 wanting a new-old car to drive when I wasn't testing a new vehicle. That's harder than you'd think for someone who thinks, talks, and writes about cars all day, because there are so many interesting, risky, and downright funky options out there in every price range. The added headache for me was that I'd chosen to shop for a "fun" car in one of the most volatile car markets ever seen. Even the extremely high-mileage "untouchable" European cars I wanted to buy were commanding ridiculous prices.

After a solid few months of waffling between various rattletrap Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, and Audi S/RS cars, I landed on an option that had escaped me before: The Porsche Cayenne. First-generation Cayennes are a real bargain now, but the 955/957 (Porsche's internal code for the SUVs) can experience major problems that occur with or without regular maintenance and care. I was determined to buy one, and wasn't overly concerned about mileage, as long as I could count the number of owners on one hand. There was a beautiful 2009 Cayenne GTS with 90,000 miles but nine owners, a gorgeous 2004 Cayenne Turbo with a concerning engine tick, and many more just like them. Finally, I decided to risky-click a 196,000-mile Cayenne GTS in Southern California. It had one owner and one dealer-owner for a month or two prior to sale, its condition looked decent in photos, and I was able to negotiate a reasonable enough price that shipping it from San Diego to Maine wasn't a huge problem.

Porsche Cayenne GTSThe pics look great, but hands-on tells another story.Chris Teague

I had two traveling Euro mechanics check the car out, and both confirmed that it was well-worn but mechanically sound, so I jumped. Ten days later, on a snowy, icy, dark Maine afternoon, the Cayenne arrived. Cosmetically, there were a few things the dealer and mechanics failed to mention, but overall, it looked good. The SUV passed Maine safety and emissions testing without problem, got a new set of Michelins, and I was on my way.

Porsche Cayenne GTSI'm in danger, but thankfully this should be a reasonable fix.Chris Teague

A few days of driving revealed what I was really in for. A check engine light revealed a camshaft position sensor error and the Cayenne displayed a nasty vibration at idle. A new sensor and motor mounts, and I'm on my way. I'll update you as more things break or miraculously work, but I want to hear your memories from 2021.

Email me at chris@automotivemap.com, and I will compile the best and most interesting stories for a story on New Year's Day. May you all have a wonderful 2022.

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Collector cars

Buy these cars before they climb in value

Insurance company Hagerty compiled a list of cars it thinks will climb in value and price.

Hagerty

Vehicle prices have grown across the board this year, but collector car prices have been on the move for years. The world of online car auctions and car shows such as Radwood have driven attention to obscure and otherwise unknown cars, pushing their prices. Insurance and overall automotive lifestyle company Hagerty is stepping in to help. It complied a list of vehicles that it believes are currently a good value and have potential to climb. The Hagerty Bull Market List covers ten vehicles of all types.

Hagerty’s list is expansive, covering several vehicle types, prices, and time periods. The list features vehicles built between 1963 and 2012, and is designed to nudge people into buying cars before they become unattainable. This is especially important now, as online auction sites have moved the markets for some previously obscure cars well past the point of reason.

The Bull Market List isn’t intended to give you an inside track on car values so that you can flip them for quick profit. Instead, the list should give you the push you need if you’re already on the fence about buying a car to keep and drive a cool vehicle. Hagerty wants people to buy the cars and have the ability to pass them on to other enthusiasts without charging exorbitant prices.

The Bull Market List includes (with excellent condition pricing):

  • 1965-1970 Cadillac DeVille ($28,800)
  • 1969-1974 Ferrari 246 Dino ($365,800)
  • 1983-1997 Land Rover Defender ($61,400)
  • 1979-1985 Mazda RX-7 ($17,600)
  • 1962-1967 Mercedes-Benz 230SL ($80,500)
  • 1963-1967 Pontiac GTO ($100,200)
  • 1992-1995 Porsche 968 ($38,000)
  • 1985-1995 Suzuki Samurai ($10,200)
  • 2008-2012 Tesla Roadster Sport ($97,000)
  • 1975-1993 Volvo 245 ($15,800)

If you’re considering one of the vehicles on the list and have the means, it’s a good idea to act in the near future. Vehicle prices are rising due to supply chain shortages to the point that even older cars are climbing. That, plus the effects of online car auctions, have made it hard to find a good value car.

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