2022 Land Rover Discovery Has Great Off-Road Chops and British Manners

The Land Rover Discovery is what people envision when picturing an off-road vehicle. Second only perhaps to Jeep for its storied prowess as a go-anywhere machine, the Discovery is the safari vehicle of choice. The current-generation Discovery rolled out in 2017 with a modern take that finds that balance between daily drive road manners and off-road excellence. 

The 2022 Land Rover Discovery carries over the restyling from 2021 and blends a luxurious interior, impressive off-pavement capability, a modern design that heralds its iconic roots, and comfortable daily driving appeal. The Discovery is three rows of midsized excellence. Changes in 2021 were largely cosmetic, but it also brought lots of interior refinement updates and a new infotainment system with a larger screen. The second-row seats are more adjustable and comfortable for longer drives. And there are some added choices under the hood as well.

There are three trim levels for the 2022 Discovery, with two engines to choose from. The base turbocharged four-cylinder engine outputs 296 horsepower and a turbocharged inline-six-cylinder offers 355 hp. The R-Dynamic models have a mild hybrid system. All models have AWD as standard and use a well-done eight-speed automatic transmission. There are five seats in the Discovery by default, but a no-cost upgrade to add two more is available in all trims.

The base model 2022 Discovery comes pretty well stocked with 20-inch wheels, rain-sensing (automatic) windshield wipers, a panoramic glass room, LED headlamps, fog lamps, leather upholstery, two-zone climate, an 11.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a bunch of driver’s aids and advanced safety systems. There are several upgrade options available in packages or ala carte, including a beautiful Meridian audio system, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, etc.

The HSE R-Dynamic model adds 22-inch wheels and several of the options from the lower packages as one upgrade. For our money, the Advanced Off-Road Capability package with its improved suspension and AWD tuning is a must if the Discovery is to be used for its intended purpose. We’d also swap the factory street tires with more aggressive all-terrains.

Probably the most beautiful part of the Land Rover Discovery, beyond its classy exterior looks, is its well-tuned engines. The six-cylinder, in particular, is really smooth and mates with its transmission very well. The mild hybrid system saves a little fuel in daily driving traffic and adds a slight boost off-road by removing most of the accessories from the engine belt, freeing up that extra power so it can go to the wheels. 

On the road, the 2022 Land Rover Discovery is a nice drive with predictable handling and a smooth character. It’s maneuverable, easy to park and it feels lighter and smaller than its size. Some of that is due to the “aluminium” (it’s British) body and some of it is thanks to the confident steering and good visibility the Discovery offers. 

Off the road, the Discovery is much more capable than onlookers might expect. Its posh looks and interior bely its strong capability, especially as the AWD system shifts torque from wheel to wheel without a blink, maximizing traction. The surprisingly good approach and departure angles and the air ride suspension’s ability to lift the body up for more clearance are priceless additions. 

Overall, there’s little to knock with the 2022 Land Rover Discovery (except for that rear license plate placement). Its starting price is about $55,500 with an upper-end trim option getting to about $64,000. Not bad for a luxurious off-roader.