2019 Land Rover Discovery detailed review: On-road, off-road, and towing too!

Is a four-cylinder engine a big enough heart for Land Rover's do-anything SUV, the Discovery? Paul Maric finds out...
FULL REVIEW: www.caradvice.com.au/646258/2...
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www.caradvice.com.au/646258/2... - Read the article here.

[@pasc2810]

Great review - I especially liked the measured water fording. I've had three LRs over the years going back to a 1968 88. My current 2012 LR4 HSE LUX goes off-roading, tows a horse trailer, is often stolen by my wife and filled to the max with kids for school field-trips, does epic summer jaunts, goes into the mountains for ski vacations, etc., and has never broken down. Excellent vehicle!

[@jasonswift7098]

@Woods Bear Spoilt brat.

[@jackshotton9222]

Jason Moyle Not spoilt if you bought it with your own money you worked for. Jealous brat.

[@theodorenelson9509]

Jason Moyle Typical apolitically of envy Must be a labour voter, Jeremy Corbyn disciple

[@coxt1977]

Owned the LR4 hse and now own the Discovery 5 hse. I now want them both. Very different trucks but they both are amazing vehicles.

[@sauls1168]

The 2.0L diesel has more power then the ford ranger 3.2L and the 3.0L is only 5% less than a 200 series land cruiser 4.5L thirsty V8 which is a) less aero dynamic and much heavier. To truly appreciate it, it needs to be compared to its competitors 👌🏼

[@zinj2618]

By far the best disco 5 review I have seen so far....

[@Drivecomau]

Thanks!

[@AkiffHssn]

I totally agree

[@Russh1]

Great review, you actually know how to drive it off-road which makes all the difference!

[@NetMillionaire]

Superb review! I bought the 2 Litre HSE, its phenomenal and really surprised me!

[@weekendwarrior8179]

That wading depth is insane as is the ground clearance

[@joshuapinter]

Really good review. Thoroughly done and the most scientific water fording test I've ever seen. You just won a new fan.

[@Han-dd8lm]

Love the testing you guys do. Keep it up!

[@vazza7504]

Brilliant review, loved the caravan reversing assist. Boss car. Subscribed. :-)

[@jasestorace9501]

Great review mate, top job. Entertaining, precise and to the point with a heap of detail.

[@Drivecomau]

Thanks!

[@maneystellenboom7225]

Love this car! Seriously great review mate!

[@NothingMaster]

In its category and for the price, it’s absolutely unbeatable.

[@rjright7373]

Very nice looking and wow, all that in a 4 cylinder was the most impressive part. Still working on my newest project The discovery ii 2000 model but soon it will look and work great... Would love to have that drivetrain however....

[@catherineanne5698]

Wow! Thanks for the review!

[@MaZEEZaM]

I really like the design, particularly in that grey and black colour.

[@ivansakhalin8295]

The best review of disco I’ve seen.

[@nogoodhacker6944]

You're one of the best channels of auto reviews I've ever seen. I'm from India and your videos are much more heavier on quality than my Indian reviews. Love you people! Thanks a lot guys!

[@Drivecomau]

Thanks!

[@spiroskom5075]

Really thorough review...congrats!! Now i have a few questions, because i am interested to buy a 7seater disco..: (a) would you prefer th 4cylinder 2.0 diesel or the 4cyl 2.p petrol enigine? My day to day use of car will be onroad (asphalt), (b) you say that 0-100 km/h in 4 cylinder 2.0 lit diesel is 8,3 seconds but in most videos it seems that you need more than 9.0 sec for 0-100 km/h...(c) in town is it difficult to drive it because of its shape and size? (c) volvo xc90 momentum or disco 5 (7seaters both) for a 5 member family? Thank you in advance....

[@Fozzy325]

Screw led lights, can you move the rear tyre onto the back from underneath? Try to get the wheel out when in a muddy situation. There is no way you can put a rear metal bumper. I am 6ft4inch or 1,93cm can you fit 5 people of the same size with the from seats fully pushed to the back ?

[@chrisburrow5736]

Just come across your off road videos there brilliant, full in depth and well worth watching good work keep it up and I will be following your videos now

[@Drivecomau]

Thanks!

[@chidichukwujekwu]

Speed strong comfort reliable and safe. DISCOVERY 💖

[@finderskeeperz8363]

Would you suggest that the 2023 Disco P300 S 4cyl/ turbo is reliable? Any changes in regards to overall reliability for this year?

[@EarthRover]

Best review of the discovery! Great job!

[@Drivecomau]

Thanks!

[@Carpetone]

😍

[@garretrobles443]

Very good review. We tow the same caravan as the one on the video. The TD6 does a great job.

[@Drivecomau]

Very nice! It’s probably much easier to tow with a 6.

[@adamhunt318]

Garret Robles I reckon you can tow up to 2.5 tonnes with the sd4 anything over that you need the td6

[@GarretKrampe]

can you take it off road (really) and what about the DPF issues.

[@zillazz]

Land Rover king of anything

[@Malama1492]

Nothing beats the Toyota Landcruiser...

[@jethrohaha]

including roadside assistance

[@rowerowysztos]

@@Malama1492 Toyota Land Cruiser compared to discovery 4 is just ridiculous.. All the angles, ground clearance and electronics is worse than in the disco.

[@enjoymusic4895]

@@Malama1492 wkwkwkw...egr diesel gate issue

[@JB-pk6uq]

I'd like to see if the reliability has got any better. They are capable I won't deny that. But they have some serious issues when it comes to parts availability and being able to last out in the harsh outback

[@dave216dx]

Service your turbo diesel once every two years"... Fark me! Yep that's going to work

[@rogerpinnock6847]

Dave Pw Engine might make it but brakes won’t! Rear pads metal on metal at 17k miles - LR say this is normal, but never happened on Discovery 2 or Freelanders. £430 to replace, no dashboard warning. No wonder bottom of reliability lists!

[@0ndrac]

this is such a brilliantly non-standard review, so much extra colour, just what I needed. been deciding between this and the Q7 but your video has really prodded me in the way of the Disco.

[@Greetings666]

This is a solid auto review, Excellent

[@Johnny790mac]

wow, if like much more love my Land Rover Discovery Sport HSE ❤️😎👌🏻⭐️🚙 excited !!!…

[@coxt1977]

I have a 2016 HSE...because it’s so heavy you need brakes almost every year (front back brakes alternating) but I love this truck soooo much. Nonetheless, I am over the need for yearly brakes 😩

[@MrKieranps1990]

What companies do you use?, garages love doing brakes as its fast easy money, I bet you don't actually need them they just giving you lies, dealerships are the worse for this practice, trust me Im a mechanic

[@btpp12]

Good review 👍🏻 Discovery rock !!

[@theluckyguy763]

Volvo is a 2 litre big suv and it does just fine them new suvs are light a smaller engine it’s not bad on them these new engines are very sophisticated and you can travel from state to state with no problem at all

[@edwarddhlamini3057]

Love it🔥❤❤

[@mickeylittle6883]

I am a Land Rover nut - currently touring Oz in my 1997 Discovery 1 TDI300... 20 months into a 5 year trip... That thing in the review is not a Discovery and it is not an Off Road 4x4... I did not see any serious off road testing conditions during the entire video... They are in fact nothing but Toorak Tractors and are designed for Winery Carparks and muddy nature strips... I have had to recover 3 of the stupid things in the Victorian High Country so far... And they look bloody horrible... Good professional review though - just way off base...

[@versa319]

Expect tons of InControl Pro infotainment issues like losing Bluetooth connection, 3G disconnection, disconnection from phone when plugged in to use their software and third party software issues. Been taking my Disco to the dealership 5 times now and they finally figured out why the firmware keeps getting messed up. Their Live software creates issues if you update it on your own WiFi connection. It reverts the firmware back to the old firmware. Other than that, it drives great. I have the i6 HSE LUX version fully loaded with tons of options. If you get one, make sure the firmware for the vehicle is the latest version. Other than that, its a great family vehicle. I’ll keep mine for another two years and upgrade to a full size Range Rover instead.

[@Russh1]

Con of buying the first of a new design Walt, software updates will come to fix this.

[@overlandphotography]

Hi Paul. Thanks for the video. I love the car and I found your video really helpful. I'm considering buying one as we're wanting to do a lap or two around Australia in it. I've heard the after sales service is horrific so that is a concern should anything go pear shape outback. The other thing I'd like to know is can you fit a bull-bar on the Discovery ? Thanking you so much in advance.

[@Drivecomau]

Hey Jim. Good question! I haven’t actually seen one with a bull bar fitted. Before purchasing, your best bet would be to touch base with Land Rover or a 4WD specialist to see if they’re able to do fitment of a bull bar.

[@mijangoz]

Jim- there’s a Land Rover Discovery 5 Facebook group that will help you out no end. It’s a global group but has a good bunch of Aussies on there!

[@overlandphotography]

@@mijangoz .... Tks so much for your response

[@coxt1977]

Recently transitioned from the LR4 to the LR5 (Discovery 5). I was initially hesitant because I was 😍 with my LR4. However, I am loving my Discovery 5. I get so many compliments (got a lot of compliments on my LR4 as well). I have the black accent package. It’s soooo badass! I have Apple CarPlay; not sure why he said it’s not an option.

[@MaZEEZaM]

Its a shame this vehicle doesn't have the clear view bonnet feature, and the 360 degree camera views for that matter, incredibly useful features for off-roading and....parking in tight carparks

[@salmanviix9031]

that's More then Awesome😍

[@joefattal7592]

Looks contemporary, love it compared to the old model which has its pros but this just moved the game on.

[@antonioaa8097]

Like some of the new features but still like the old styles. I owned a 2011 LR4 and this car made the value go up. :-)

[@jerrymyahzcat]

I have a Land Rover and I love the Hill Descent Control. Just does it’s job quietly. Toyota system is ridiculously noisy. Many you can’t set the speed or only specific speeds. LR goes from 1 or 2 km/h all the way to 30km/h using the cruise control buttons.

[@MaZEEZaM]

The fridge in the armrest is a great inclusion for summer, I can imagine putting milk and cold meats in the fridge so they don't spoil on the way home or on the way to a picnic or the like.

[@mrj3nk044]

So some standard questions someone in the market for a 4wd would want to know- Can the tyres be swapped for larger rubber? Up to what size? Can the car still driven if it lowers itself because of suspension failure? Can the rims be swapped for smaller rims? Can it’s battery be isolated without resetting the car? Can it be fitted with a snorkel, roof rack, bull bar etc Can seats be removed for additional storage? Can it’s fuel filter be accessed easily for self replacement? Can the car be opened and driven if the activity key is damaged? Is there space in the bonnet for a second battery? How to access the spare? Is it a run flat or full spare? Is there room for additional fuel tank? Will the car drive if a cv joint breaks? There would be plenty of other questions I’m sure.

[@Russh1]

Full size spare, 285 60 18s will fit, if you want 18s you will have to go either an aftermarket steel or alloy, but considering the price of factory wheel upgrades it's the only way to go anyway. No vehicle with stop start can have it's second battery isolated, it's there because it needs to be, add a third for accessories like everyone else. Yes you can keep driving with broken CV, put it in rock crawl. If the cars lowered itself for a compressor failure( very few air had complete failures) it's still drive able, if not there's already aftermarket systems available that bypass the system allowing you to adjust the resistance and therefor ride height, you can also get a BT IID tool for all land Rovers that will give you every option a dealer has, including but not limited to adjusting ride heights, replacement key programming, deleting faults. LR not only don't mind you using them, they sell them, in the UK at the dealerships.

[@Roadsaftyslowdown]

Nice diso, but as a builder I'd call this job "I'll get them on the variations." Just went through the options list and its one hell of a long list that still dosen't include or offer half the features or safety that is offered standard on Hyundai Santa Fe 2019 for half the price.

[@stylz1]

I love the look of this thing.

[@darcybowyer5743]

Nice upgrade over the Disco 2 SII sitting down in the shed, though the old Td5 is a stout engine. Well the later one anyway. Even the older Tdi 300 was impressive for just a 4 cylinder. Really good BFYB secondhand since a decent Td5 auto in the XS trim can be had for $6-8k. Just don't see the appeal in any of the competition but then all Land Rover owners are just a little insane 😝

[@AndrewA-zt4fo]

Hatsune Miku I can relate. I have a disco Series 2 as well. I wouldn’t trade it for a Disco 5. The Disco 5 has far too many electronics and sensors for my liking. I think I’ll stick with trading my Disco 2 for a Military Spec Land Rover Perentie. The Isuzu 4bd1 engine is quite literally bullet proof. Happy bush bashing, mate.

[@robgw]

Your D2 Looks Like a Discovery Should!

[@donnielimel]

Good manufacturer charged review.

[@Malc664]

Did the doors leak water?

[@yoyo11177]

For a real honest review, go watch the Andrew St P White’s review comparing the Disco to Prado and Pajero. Btw, I am a huge Land Rover fan (and owner) and I cannot agree with his review, I don’t know how much LR paid them to do this review, but it is not objective.

[@rowerowysztos]

Everything seems just fine but the previous Discovery had 310 mm ground clerance and the one has just 283mm.. so almost 3 centimeters less :/

[@rajasimhan87]

very detailed and understandable review...Reliability matters⁉

[@rockinginafreeworld3256]

I think vw came up with tow assist first.

[@greenkawasemi]

I like old discovery design

[@blacknation7736]

What's with land rover and its new smooth finishes, some landies aren't meant for curves 😲

[@EstorilEm]

Vuyo Magaye they’re trying to sell cars, and they’re doing a good job at it - the only people complaining about it not being a “real” off roader or not “looking” the part are those with 15-20yo rovers who could never afford one of these anyways haha. I have a D2 and D3 and think this thing is awesome

[@Tomoyo0827]

I just got back from the Land Rover dealer looking for a Range Rover sport, then I realised you just can’t buy any LR model without at least 5000 dollars worth of options (no dab and come with 19inch wheel wtf??). There is no such thing as standard equipment. For a 7 seater, You can get a 200kw demo q7 for about 100k with everything you need or a x5 with even less money, I just don’t see the appeal of a Discovery.

[@Drivecomau]

The appeal is that it’ll fit seven adults and will go off-road. X5 and Q7 won’t do those two things. But you do pay for it with expensive options that should be standard.

[@Tomoyo0827]

CarAdvice.com German brands(except Porsche) have expensive options too but you get more and more stuff as you move up the power trim, I think this is how things should be. Love your reviews btw, keep it up! 👍🏼

[@thetwoawesomekids4492]

My dads getting this exact car today but black

[@thetwoawesomekids4492]

M. G. W. Yeah! It’s Awesome I don’t get how people complain about it!

[@sherineidlinger952]

Have it in Narvik Black and love it!!!

[@tobiasfellas]

I like the looks

[@123fourfive5]

That infotainment screen looks like its from 10 years prior.

[@muhammedraza1415]

S,SE,HSE or HSE LUXURY?

[@Drivecomau]

SE.

[@VillageLifeRouten]

You are defining this car in a easy way.. i am a big fan of land & range rovers... soon i ll get one.. that 7 seat suv instead of that f**king toyota prado.. or tz or tx

[@pradeepmagan6951]

amazing, but would have liked you to use the full water level and see if the car would work and leak

[@MaZEEZaM]

I would MUCH prefer storage space than extra seats, no under floor storage is a bit of a bum.

[@ScottiPewPew]

5 seat layout has underfloor storage in MY19 or MY20 vehicles. 7 seat option takes up that underfloor storage space.

[@victortomorrow8159]

I respect this car ,it's a machine to touch once in life hahahaha

[@mohamedalihebboul2214]

Nice SUV, but longevity is for the Prado...

[@mohamedalihebboul2214]

@J M 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MaZEEZaM]

I have a question regarding wading depth of this and similar vehicles. We often hear on the news not to drive through flooded roads or bridges due to the risk of hydroplaning, debry and or basically unknown risks under the waters surface, if you own a vehicle such as this, would you be able to much more safely travel through such conditions or would it still be prone to the same risks such as hydroplaning obviously baring in mind the depth and speed of running water ie a river bridge crossing being significantly more dangerous than a flooded city street?

[@ScottiPewPew]

It is never admired to drive through flooded zones as advised. Hydroplaning is caused by excessive water no able to be dispersed by the tyres (too high a speed for the conditions or tyres) and by floating. This car can wade through static water to 900mm. Anything beyond that is a risk. Don’t take the risk in moving water or on flooded roads. Simple.

[@kiahweelee9994]

JLR reliability and quality are horrendous.

[@twasunna]

Rear seats set so low down that you have no thigh support...Long-distance comfort as a result is poor in those rear seats. It's predecessor with its "Stadium " seating had better bum-thigh ergonomics.

[@siddhartharay1835]

Land Rover brand is now owned by TATA MOTORS INDIA and they have started manufacturing in India....

[@Natura804]

British design and engineering at its best. TATA owns the brand. 😁

[@siddhartharay1835]

@@Natura804 Tata can manipulate anyways

[@Natura804]

@@siddhartharay1835 At its own peril. Tata is never known for its own indegenous design capabilities. So by acquiring JLR it has option of transferring best design capabilities which is pure EUROPEAN or to be precise British, to its own branded vehicle segments. Example being TATA Harrier manufactured on land rover platform. But Tata on its own trying to interfere with the design and engineering team of JLR will be disaster and will be at its own peril. JLR is acquired by TATA MOTORS but not by TATA MOTORS. JLR is not defined by TATA MOTORS. Its legacy customers recognise JLR by its brand and quality and not TATA MOTORS.

[@siddhartharay1835]

@@Natura804 tata has so far designed endless variety of vehicles to run on Indian roads, and be sure, if somebody buys my house it is his house and not mine any more, so matter how hard you plead for JLR after all it is just a subsidiary of tata motors and soon the vehicle platform will be used in other models like harrier .

[@siddhartharay1835]

@@Natura804 tata jlr is running at a loss pls remember, they are pitifully losing against German rivals, Tata indigenous cars are selling well in in India.. Hence a losing brand is nothing to be boasted of

[@jayden7747]

Powerful especially off-road @bosseddie

[@edwarddhlamini3057]

Yh

[@AndrewSmith-pp6ir]

“I love these optional LED lights”. yer they are probably 3k.

[@AndrewA-zt4fo]

Nice car. But can it beat a Disco Series 2?

[@robgw]

I think a D2 would be better offload.

[@AlternityGM]

His first assumption is false. I don’t know anyone who owned a Discovery or any model Land Rover. But I am interested.

[@northjerseykevin409]

My wife has a 19 discovery sport HSE. It seems smaller Then this one. Unfortunately we don’t have the air suspension either. Want to trade? ;)

[@Nebs1]

Why is the Prado Kakadu so expensive to service? Isn't it just a lowly Hilux engine in a different vehicle.

[@Drivecomau]

HiLux costs the same to service. They require servicing every six months at $240 a pop.

[@Nebs1]

That sounds pretty reasonable, even though 6 month servicing is outdated. I misheard the part of video where he said servicing is $2400. I didn't hear him say "for 5 years". Damn my dodgy headphones.

[@evang9708]

It’s amazing in theory, but it costs so much, and reliability, you could almost justify the purchase price, but unless your buying a new/newish you will have that fear in the back of your mind all the time

[@fransd5880]

from my perspective sitting at second seat is like squating... will hurt your back bone in long n rough road..

[@shanet7511]

I love it long and rough

[@enjoymusic4895]

petrol 2.0 litre..yes.. free egr issue like land cruiser

[@saschagaidzinski737]

Anybody knows what this exterior color is called exactly?

[@paulbird3235]

Corris Grey

[@saschagaidzinski737]

@@paulbird3235 hmm, actually to me it looks more like Silicon Silver.

[@paulbird3235]

@@saschagaidzinski737 Had another look, you may be correct. Ive got a 2018 HSE in corris.

[@Bb5y]

Disco does it all… for three days then it goes to its 1st garage return

[@045roo]

Now it looks like everything else. Not an off road design, more like for a small city suv...

[@045roo]

@fukthegoog Yea I'm blind. Now you feel better?

[@razvandobos9759]

It's the 2019 Ford Explorer with a Land Rover badge.

[@catastrophic009]

Good review...BUT there are 3 things wrong with this car...1 ..it is far to expensive to buy & run....2 The number plate offset at the back is garbage ..& 3 the breaklights are pathetic. These things really put me off buying this car....although in Germany they is a company that will supply an inset unit that snaps on to the rear to centralise the number plate but it is the best part of 900 euros + shipment I guess.

[@cardude1992]

rear looks bloated otherwise its alright but it doesnt look very rugged tho sad

[@Khizr786]

Born in the wild, Adapted to the city

[@mohamedalihebboul2214]

Born to Die

[@Khizr786]

@@mohamedalihebboul2214 not at all

[@joaobatistadasilvac7959]

Tenho um fusca 78 é uma combi 94 vou vender e colocar na aplicação daqui uns 20 anos compro uma dessa porque aqui no Brasil é assim um assalariado se quiser comprar uma nave igual a essa land tem que se preparar de 20 a 30 anos antes kkkkk BRASIL 🇧🇷

[@johnnysunrocket8618]

Disco Very!

[@thybigballs]

It's hard to believe the new Defender has this same suspension.

[@TheSpoovy]

Springs are optional on the new defender I believe.

[@DannyBoy443]

Did anyone else expect his name to be Seth MacFarlane?? lol I mean,

[@julieta203]

Everybody knows someone that will never buy a land rover again

[@kariamwangi5869]

The car is superb but the shape doesn’t add up. They need to review the shape especially the rear side window.

[@goldenboy1803]

Still better design than crappy Toyota

[@deerghayuphukan1215]

Under thigh support for 2nd row is worse than 3rd row

[@DronieUp]

The brake lights in this car are ridiculous! It’s about a 3cm active strip. Is that safe?

[@PatrickRich]

just rewatched this and noticed the hip to floor in the 2nd row is really bad, knees up lad! Unlike the Prado I think this has better hip to floor in the 3rd row. That would get annoying quick if you were in the 2nd row.

[@ScottiPewPew]

Watch the review of the prado from the same guy, at the 7min 10second mark, the prado is knees up and hip down just the same. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r52QhJyCmpiEbKM

[@ramlee23]

Whoa... you hit the bottom

[@ravidas4852]

It was the tow bar sticking out

[@servantofchrist4197]

the front look like FORD EXPLORER 2018... and back look like Toyota Fortuner

[@No-thing-ness]

Wait is this an advert or car review?? but wow what an expensive car. ive owned a disco 1 / 2 / 3 and i can tell you i love them and hate them at the same time. their history of electrical issues is well known. Packed with new electrical gadgets i worry for the discovery 5 reliability. I would prefer disco 4 HSE. Then wait and see what happens with the disco 5's