Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD 2021 Review

We drive the Land Rover Discovery on a Road Test Review

This week we are driving the Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD. Since its introduction in Australia in 1991, the Discovery has been a strong competitor to the LandCruiser and Patrol that dominated the market back then.

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD drivingNow in its fifth generation the Discovery provides a combination of on road ride and handling along with off road capability that few can genuinely match.

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Looking more like a large SUV than a robust 4WD the Discovery has sleek lines that make it look smaller than it actually is. Step inside and the luxury ambience is obvious. It definitely feels classy with cream leather everywhere and well laid out dash and instruments. One feature is the 11.4 inch light touch screen is integrated into the central stack in elegant style.

Rear seat room is good for three taller people and the rearmost two seats are best in class.

It’s still the best seven seat 4WD on the market for space and versatility for a large family.

4WD capability is enhanced by the Electronic Air Suspension, twin-speed transfer box (high/low range), electronic rear diff lock and Terrain Response drive mode selection.

Priced from a touch over $107,000 plus the usual costs it’s poised perfectly to take on the new LandCruiser 300 series.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD FRONT GRILL

Some Previous Discovery Reviews

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD Profile

What is good?

What is not so good?

  • Effortless 4WD ability
  • Smooth drive, ride and handling
  • Elegant interior
  • 4WD tyre options for 20 inch wheels
  • Long and expensive options list
  • Steering wheel controls lack sensitivity

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD ENGINE

Model   

Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD

Model PriceFrom $107,175 MLP* PAT $127,289 MLP*
Engine2995cc Ingenium Turbocharged In-line 6 Cylinder Petrol MHEV
Drivetrain8 speed Sports AT 4WD
Power265kW @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
Torque500Nm @ 1,750-5,000 rpm
SafetyFive Star  ANCAP (tested 2017)
CO2 Emissions215g/km
Economy ADR / Tank9.2 L/100km (ADR combined)  10.4 L/100km over our test / 90L
Performance0-100kmh 6.5 secs / Top speed 209 kmh
ServicingService Plan 5 Years/130,000 max kms (whichever occur first) – $2,650
Warranty5yr/ Unlimited km with 5 Yr. conditional roadside assist

 *MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options.

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD FRONT QTR

Overall Rating    

86/100

Behind the Wheel9
Comfort9
Equipment8
Performance8
Ride and Handling9
Practicality8
Fit for Purpose9
4WD / Towing10
Technology / connectivity8
Value for Money8

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD central screen dimensions

Dimensions

 
Overall Length4956mm
Wheelbase2923mm
Width / Height2073mm / 1888mm
Unladen ground clearance / wading depthUp to 207mm / 900 mm
Approach / Rampover / Departure (degrees)26.0 / 21.2 / 24.8
Fuel Tank  / Turning Circle90 Litres / 12.41mts KTK
Kerb Weight /  GVM / GCM23505kg / 3210kg / 6710KG
Towing Capacity / Tow Ball rating3500kg / 350kg

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2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD REAR QTR

Some Model Details

21MY Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 from $107,175 MLP*

Colour / Trim: Namib Orange/ Light Oyster/ Ebony grained leather seat facings with Light Oyster stitch

Options: Price-As-Tested: $127,289 MLP*

  • 18-way heated electric memory front seats w/- captains armrest – $5,499
  • Premium Metallic Paint – Namib Orange $4,110
  • Head-up Display $2,420
  • Active Rear Locking Differential $1,110
  • Tow hitch receiver $1,000
  • Santorini Black contrast roof $940
  • Privacy glass $920
  • Three-zone climate control $910
  • Electric third row seats $900
  • Meridian™ Sound System (12 speakers plus Subwoofer, 14 Channel Amplifier, 400 Watts) $740
  • Premium carpet mats $640
  • Cabin Air Purification System with PM2.5 filter $470
  • Wireless device charging $455

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD screen info

Standard Features

Powertrain – Transmission, Driving Dynamics

  • All Wheel Drive
  • Electronic Air Suspension
  • Twin-speed transfer box (high/low range)
  • SportShift Selector
  • Adaptive Dynamics
  • Hill Launch Assist
  • Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
  • Speed proportional steering
  • Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  • Electronic Traction Control (ETC)
  • Roll Stability Control (RSC)
  • Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
  • Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVBB)
  • Brake pre-fill
  • Gradient Acceleration Control (GAC)
  • Hill Descent Control (HDC)
  • Stop/Start
  • Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
  • Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
  • Emergency Brake Assist
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD FRONT BEACH

Exterior Features and Finishes

  • Fixed front and rear panoramic roof
  • Automatic LED headlights with signature DRL
  • LED taillights
  • Manual Headlight Levelling
  • Front fog lights
  • Powered tailgate
  • Heated, electric, power fold, memory door mirrors with approach lights and auto-dimming- driver side
  • Variable intermittent wipers
  • Electric windows with one-touch open/close and anti-trap
  • Heated rear window
  • Acoustic laminated windscreen
  • Rear wash wiper
  • Rain sensing windscreen wipers
  • Puddle lights
  • Rear fog light(s)
  • Centre high-mounted stop light
  • Remote boot release

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD INTERIOR

Seating, Interior Features and Finishers

  • 14-way electric front seats with captain’s armrest
  • Light Oyster/ Ebony grained leather seat facings with Light Oyster stitch
  • 60:40 electric folding rear seats with manual slide and powered recline, centre headrest and armrest
  • Manual third row seats
  • Leather Multi-function steering wheel
  • Ebony Morzine headlining
  • Shadow Aluminium trim finisher
  • Two-zone Climate Control
  • Jaguar Land Rover Australia
  • Level 1, 189 O’Riordan Street, Mascot, 2020, NSW, Australia
  • landrover.com.au
  • Cabin lighting
  • Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror
  • Metal treadplates with R-Dynamic branding
  • Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Front and rear grab handles
  • In cabin boot release
  • Footwell lights
  • Overhead lighting console
  • Twin front cupholders with cover
  • Lockable glovebox
  • Shopping bag hook
  • Central hinged twin-lidded storage
  • First and second row door bins
  • Lower centre console storage
  • Third row storage
  • Loadspace cover
  • Loadspace light
  • Luggage tie-downs and hooks in loadspace
  • 12v USB charging socket in loadspace

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD FRONT WHEELS AND TYRES

Wheels and Tyres

  • 20″ Style 5122, 5 split-spoke, Satin Dark Grey with 255/55 20″ A/S Tyre
  • 20″ full size spare wheel

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD HUD

Information, Communication & Entertainment

  • Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) radio
  • Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
  • Pivi Pro (Connected)
  • 4″ Touchscreen
  • Online Pack with Data Plan
  • Interactive Driver Display
  • Remote
  • Front and rear 12V with front USB (Includes USB C in Fireplace, USB C in central stowage, USB A & C
  • in UIP, 2x USB C and 1x USB A in Row 2 and 2x USB in Row 3)
  • 12V power socket(s)
  • Dynamic Volume Control
  • USB and 12V socket in centre console
  • Trip computer

2021 Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD FRONT BONNET

Safety, Security & Driver Assistance

  • Keyless Entry and Push Button Start
  • 3D Surround Camera
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Driver’s airbag, front passenger’s airbag, curtain airbags -all three rows, front seat side airbags, knee bolster airbag
  • Emergency Braking
  • Blind Spot Assist
  • Clear Exit Monitor
  • Lane Keep Assist
  • Rear Collision Monitor
  • Rear Traffic Monitor
  • Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
  • Wade Sensing
  • Driver Condition Monitor
  • Front and Rear Parking Aid
  • Customer Configurable Autolock
  • Power operated child locks
  • Seat belt reminder
  • Rear ISOFIX
  • 9/10
    Behind the Wheel - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Comfort - 9/10
  • 8/10
    Equipment - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Performance - 8/10
  • 9/10
    Ride and Handling - 9/10
  • 8/10
    Practicality - 8/10
  • 9/10
    Fit for Purpose - 9/10
  • 10/10
    4WD / Towing - 10/10
  • 8/10
    Technology / connectivity - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Value for Money - 8/10
8.6/10

Summary

This week we are driving the Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S P360 4WD. Since its introduction in Australia in 1991, the Discovery has been a strong competitor to the LandCruiser and Patrol that dominated the market back then.

Land Rover Discovery is priced from a touch over $107,000 plus the usual costs it’s poised perfectly to take on the new LandCruiser 300 series.

About Rob Fraser 2475 Articles
Rob Fraser – General dogsbody & Director Rob is the founder of the business. He constantly mutters something about way too many red wines one evening being to blame. Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive. He first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then. In addition to 4WD he is an avid motoring enthusiast and has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since his teens. He has owned way too many cars in his time as well. Having previously lived at the top of corporate life he retired in 2000 and hasn’t put a suit and tie on since. Cars are his passion so why not have a business doing what you love he figures. He has towed either a caravan or camper trailer to most parts of Australia, has run guided tours for camper trailers’ and instructed drivers in off road towing.