Skip advert
Advertisement

Land Rover Discovery (2009-2016) review - does it still make for a great 4x4? - MPG and running costs

The definitive 4x4 from Land Rover - if you can’t quite stretch to a Range Rover

Evo rating
RRP
from £41,600
  • Looks, prestige, utility and huge comfort regardless of what’s beneath the wheels
  • Beginning to feel its age despite many revisions, expensive to run and buy

MPG and running costs

A prestigious car that comes with upmarket running costs, buying and owning a Discovery won’t be cheap. It might be a turbodieesel engine under the bonnet, but it’s shifting a lot of mass s

o the official 35.3mpg combined economy figure is not a number you’re ever likely to see in reality. You’ll be doing well to return 25-28mpg and if you’re in any way enthusiastic with the accelerator, or towing, then expect much lower. The 213g/km emissions rating usefully avoids the top road tax rates, neatly sitting in the £285-a-year portion rather than the £485 and £500 categories above, but if you’re buying it on company money in the uk it does pop it into the top 37 per cent BIK tax band.

Advertisement - Article continues below

 Fuel and tax aren't going to be cheap, though Land Rover does offer fixed price service plans to keep the costs sensible. Main service intervals are set at 16,000 miles or 12 months. Retained values should be good, though insurance won’t be cheap, while Land Rover’s reputation for reliability isn’t quite as strong as many of its premium alternatives.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Land Rover Defender Octa review – the super SUV that’s more fun than sports cars
Land Rover Defender Octa – front
In-depth reviews

Land Rover Defender Octa review – the super SUV that’s more fun than sports cars

Put aside your SUV cynicism. The Land Rover Defender Octa is a triumph, with 911 GT3 levels of engineering making it an unexpected thrill to drive
8 Jan 2026
Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR is the 911 GT3 RS of hot hatchbacks
Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR
News

Toyota GR Yaris Morizo RR is the 911 GT3 RS of hot hatchbacks

Limited run GR Yaris Morizo RR was inspired by its Nürburging 24 hour performance and championed by the company boss.
9 Jan 2026
Used Alpinas – four tuned BMW Bahnstormers from the end of an era
Used Alpinas
News

Used Alpinas – four tuned BMW Bahnstormers from the end of an era

Alpina is to be reinvented under full BMW ownership – the perfect excuse to buy into a used one
7 Jan 2026