Yep, that says 2021 up there. As I noted in my recent reviews of the Jaguar F-Pace SVR and the Land Rover Defender SE (also '21 models), things are tough for smaller-volume manufacturers right now. There's zero shame in selling the '22s and '23s to paying customers and keeping '21s in the press fleet as long as there are no substantive changes from one model year to the next.
So it is with the Land Rover Discovery. The R Dynamic S is really an appearance package---a black contrast roof for lighter-colored units, 20-inch wheels, ebony Morzine headliner, shadow aluminum trim, darkened LED taillights, and a few exterior and interior tweaks beyond that. There's also an R Dynamic HSE, which bumps the wheels to 22s, covers the steering wheel in leather, upgrades the Meridian sound system to a Meridian surround sound system, and adds premium cabin lighting, heated rear seats and 20-way power heated and cooled front seats in Windsor leather.
Power comes from a 355-horsepower 3.0-liter 6 cylinder engine with 369 lb-ft of torque. There's an eight-speed automatic transmission and all wheel drive with a twin-speed transfer box. It's no slouch. Zero to 60 runs happen in 6.3 seconds. The EPA fuel economy average is 18 mpg city/24 highway.
The base price on the window sticker is $61,900---but remember, our tester is a 2021 model. The 2023 MSRP is $67,400.
With zero options, the Discovery R Dynamic S would be a very well-equipped SUV, but our tester had extra-cost goodies added on---$600 for the Cold Climate Pack (heated steering wheel, windshield and washer jets), $2,000 for an upgrade to 21-inch wheels, $1,850 for 18-way heated memory front seats with captains' armrests, $1,250 for the upgrade to the Meridian surround sound system, $970 for a head-up display, $800 for a four-zone climate control, $710 for the Portofino Blue paint, $675 for a tow hitch receiver, $400 for premium LED headlamps, $300 for electric third row seats and $250 for automatic high beam assist. With $1,350 destination and delivery, the window sticker reads $73,055---but again, that's the 2021 price. Factor in the $5,500 price hike to the 2023 model and this year's price is $78,555.
And that's our shopping tip---you could actually move up to the Discovery R Dynamic HSE, get 22 inch wheels and two more adjustments for your power seats, and spend less ($75,050) than the Discovery R Dynamic S with a la carte options. In fact, for only $595 more, you could get the range-topping Discovery Metropolitan Edition and have it all. Your choice. The Land Rover Discovery is one of the best off-roaders in existence with a blend of luxury and performance that only they could pull off.