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 Defenders 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 Discovery The 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 Discovery The 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 Discovery 2021 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 Discovery The 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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Time to Play

Launch mode: LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR coming to stores on January 1

The McLaren Senna GTR is ready for the track but the LEGO Technic version is ready for your office shelf.

Photo courtesy of LEGO

The latest model to join the LEGO Technic family is a track-ready take one of the most beloved supercars of all time. The LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR is extreme, just like its real life namesake. The model is the first McLaren to get the Technic treatment.

It's an 830-piece model is designed for builders ages 10 and above. Its real life version was designed for track enthusiasts. The Senna GTR takes the athleticism of the Senna supercar a step further with a vehicle, "designed to deliver the most extreme, raw and engaging driving experience possible," according to the super luxury automaker. They call the vehicle "mind-bendingly fast", which makes it a perfect fit for a track day.

LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR The box will reach shelves in January.Photo courtesy of LEGO

The beating heart of the McLaren Senna GTR is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that achieves approximately 813 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Its carbon fiber body weighs just 2619 pounds and rides on a motorsports chassis.

The total engineering package is designed to deliver a raw racing experience. It's beyond engaging. The well-engineered wing helps you ride the line between control and out of control and, quite possibly, life and death.

LEGO hasn't pushed its model to that extreme, but many of its parts hold true to the spirit of the car. It features a V8 with moving pistons, an aerodynamic body style, dihedral doors, and a one-of-a-kind blue livery. The model is 12 inches long when completed.

"The team responsible for the design of the McLaren Senna GTR worked incredibly closely with their design counterparts at the LEGO Group to capture the extreme looks, excitement and essence of such an incredible supercar for LEGO Technic builders," said Robert Melville, Design Director McLaren Automotive. "Just like the real thing, the LEGO model is packed full of incredible details from the rear spoiler to the moving pistons in the V8 engine to the dihedral doors meaning that we're as proud of the model as we are of the real car."

LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR The model features dihedral doors.Photo courtesy of LEGO

The LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR will be launched globally from January 1, 2021 from LEGO.com, LEGO stores and other retailers globally, and participating McLaren retailers, with a recommended retailer price of $49,99.

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Behind the Wheel

2020 Buick Enclave Avenir Review: The Olive Garden of 7-passenger premium SUVs

The Enclave Avenir is the top-of-the-line trim level of the SUV for the 2020 model year.

Photo courtesy of Buick

Some people are extremely adventurous eaters. I joke that the only food I won't eat is bugs that look like bugs. I'll do Indian, Thai, Korean and Ethiopian, sweetbreads, frog legs and endless servings of sushi. French Laundry. Cut. Alinea.

Others are into tamer fare: vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, grilled cheese (with Kraft American Singles) on Wonder bread, steak with ketchup. Cracker Barrel. Dairy Queen. Olive Garden, if you're feeling fancy.

Though the fancy food folks might look down on the Red Lobster-crowd, if you're a carmaker looking to sell big SUVs in Peoria, you best remember they exist — and what sorts of stuff they're into. Culinary adventures are all about trying new and exciting things, which not everyone likes.

2020 Buick Enclave Avenir The model is elegant, especially in the high-end Avenir grade.Photo courtesy of Buick

Some people — a lot of them, actually — are thrilled with unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks. And for them, GM has come up with the Buick Enclave Avenir, the Olive Garden of seven-passenger premium SUVs.

Though Buick might not carry the brand cachet of Volvo or Acura or it's up-market sibling Cadillac, the marque's SUVs (that's all it makes now, sadly) are remarkably popular. The Enclave is the three-rowed big boy, and the Avenir is the top-tier premium trim level. My test unit landed at $59,390 including the Avenir Technology Package which includes adaptive cruise control and improved automatic emergency braking. It's 2020. Both of those should be standard GM. Come on now.

It feels almost like a minivan but with the look of an SUV. Entry and exit is easy and the front and rear captain's chairs are supremely comfortable. The Technology Package adds an improved suspension which is gentle on aging backs and keeps things nicely stable. There are two sunroofs, one in the front that opens and one in the back that does not.

The 20-inch rims are sharp and, while the Enclave does not have the most exciting design in the world, it is inoffensive and soothing. It would look good in grandma's driveway on Thanksgiving Day.

2020 Buick Enclave Avenir The Enclave has a good amount of cargo space at the rear.Photo courtesy of Buick

The Buick infotainment system is excellent, with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot from AT&T and GM's unmatched OnStar service. The hotspot means that the litany of iPads and iPhones from the passengers in the back (and front) seats will always be able to connect and OnStar means if anything goes wrong, help is just a button press away — unless the air bags deploy, in which case help calls you instead. The Bose Premium audio system does its job well, with active noise cancellation and something called "Buick QuietTuning" to keep outside noise where it belongs.

The front seats are heated and ventilated, and both include a massage function which is a gift from the road trip gods. In my version, the second row seats were heated, but no cooling. The touch surfaces are all lovely and the cabin is light and airy thanks to large windows and those dual sunroofs. Visibility is excellent, and there's a 360-degree camera system to help you park in tight spaces.

The 3.6-liter V6 makes 310 horsepower but stays out of the way, as does the 9-speed automatic transmission. The Buick gearshift is mildly annoying to get used to, but after a week or two, you won't notice it anymore. There are a host of safety features, including rear cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot warning with alert feature if you're going to move into another car on the interstate. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined.

There's a remote start system, which is great for both hot and cold days, a power liftgate at the back, and a split power-folding 60/40 third row if you want to haul more stuff than people. It'll even tow up to 5,000 pounds if you want to haul a camper or small boat. But an off-roader this isn't. It's an unpretentious people and stuff hauler that won't draw too much attention to itself.

Unpretentious is probably a fair description for most Buick buyers. They don't need to show off. They just value comfort and roominess and want a car that will take care of them.

That's the Buick Enclave Avenir.

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