The 2020 Land Rover Discovery with the 3.0L 6-cylinder engine gets 18 MPG combined. Nobody buys this vehicle expecting great fuel efficiency. They buy it for its off-road capability, its spacious and versatile interior, its distinctive design, and its undeniable presence. The fuel consumption is simply the price you pay if you value these attributes over saving gas.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates are 16 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway for the Discovery 3.0L. The city figure reflects the stop-and-go driving, which makes the vehicle’s weight and engine displacement more obvious. The highway figure is better, but still not great compared to lighter SUVs that are more aerodynamic. The Discovery’s permanent four-wheel-drive system is crucial for its off-road ability, but it also leads to lower fuel economy because it adds weight and friction.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2020 Land Rover Discovery 3.0L at $3,200. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel price at the time of the EPA’s testing. Your actual fuel costs will change depending on your driving, the type of fuel you use, and local fuel prices. Consider this a baseline to compare against other vehicles. If you drive a lot in stop-and-go traffic or drive more than 15,000 miles annually, you will probably spend more.

Real-world expectations

EPA figures give you a standard for comparison, but real-world MPG can be different. If you often use the Discovery’s off-road features, or drive aggressively, expect fuel economy to be lower than the EPA estimates. However, if you mainly use the Discovery for highway driving and drive carefully, you might see slightly better results. It will still be hard to consistently get more than 21 MPG. Checking ROVER MPG across all years can give you more data from drivers.

How it compares

The Land Rover Discovery’s fuel economy is lower than many competitors. The BMW X5 xDrive40i, with its turbocharged inline-six, gets 23 MPG combined. The Acura MDX, a popular three-row SUV, gets 22 MPG combined with its V6 engine and even the Volvo XC90 T6, a three-row SUV known for luxury and safety, manages 22 MPG combined. These advantages matter to buyers who need three rows of seats or luxury, but don’t need the Discovery’s extreme off-road capabilities. If you want all Land fuel economy data, you can expand your research into alternatives.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Gentle acceleration and braking are important for getting the best fuel efficiency in the Discovery. The supercharged engine responds quickly to the throttle, so avoid constantly pushing it hard. Driving in a smooth and steady way will lower fuel use.

Keep your tires properly inflated, because this helps fuel economy and prevents uneven tire wear. Check your tire pressure often and inflate them to the recommended pressure on the doorjamb sticker. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and make you use more fuel.

Avoid letting the car idle unnecessarily. If you’re stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine. Modern vehicles don’t need to warm up, so idling just wastes fuel. The Discovery’s automatic start/stop system can help here, and it automatically shuts off the engine at stoplights.

Reduce wind resistance by removing roof racks or cargo carriers when you don’t need them. These increase wind resistance and hurt fuel economy, especially at highway speeds. Even something small on the roof can use more fuel.