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Land Rover Discovery MPG

Land Rover Discovery gas mileage averages 17.9 mpg combined — about $2,145 a year in fuel at today's prices, or $10,725 over five years. Below: every engine compared, because the gap between versions is usually wider than the gap between models.

EPA fueleconomy.gov · 6 engines · 1994–2026 · Updated Sep 19, 2026
Quick answer

The Land Rover Discovery does 17.9 mpg combined (16 city, 20.5 highway), which works out to about $2,145 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 23 mpg while 4.6L 8-cyl does 12 — a difference of $1,530 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.

Every Land Rover Discovery engine, compared

Gas mileage on the Land Rover Discovery ranges from 23 down to 12 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $1,530 a year across 6 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·Land Rover Discovery gas mileage by engine
EngineCombinedCity / HighwayYearsFuel per year
3L 6-cyl2321 / 262017–2020$1,670
2L 4-cyl2119 / 232021–2026$1,829
3L 6-cyl Hybrid20.217.7 / 23.72021–2026$1,901
4L 8-cyl13.612.1 / 15.91996–2002$2,824
3.9L 8-cyl1311 / 151994–1995$2,954
4.6L 8-cyl1211 / 142003–2004$3,200
ROWS 6·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

What that actually costs

The Land Rover Discovery burns a gallon every 17.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 670 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.

FIG.02·Land Rover Discovery fuel cost
MeasureValue
Cost per mile$0.179
Fuel per year$2,145
Fuel over five years$10,725
Against other V8 cars−$240 a year
EPA's own estimate$4,554 a year
ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The Land Rover Discovery gives up 4.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 20.5 out there against 16 in town, a 28% drop worth $527 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.

FIG.03·Land Rover Discovery city versus highway
MeasureValueReading
City16 mpg$2,400 a year if you only drive in town
Highway20.5 mpg$1,873 a year if you mostly commute
Gap+4.5 mpg (28%)Typical for its type
ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the Discovery changed over the years

The Discovery peaked in 2020 at 23 mpg (21 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2004 at 12 — 11 mpg apart, or $1,530 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 20. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.

FIG.04·Land Rover Discovery gas mileage by model year
Model yearCombinedCity / HighwayEngines offeredFuel per year
20262018 / 23.52$1,920
20252018 / 23.52$1,920
20242018 / 23.52$1,920
202321.519 / 23.52$1,786
20222118.5 / 232$1,829
20212118.5 / 232$1,829
20202321 / 261$1,670
20192321 / 261$1,670
20182321 / 261$1,670
20172321 / 261$1,670
20041211 / 141$3,200
20031211 / 141$3,200
20021312 / 161$2,954
20011312 / 161$2,954
20001312 / 161$2,954
19991412 / 161$2,743
19981412 / 161$2,743
19971412 / 161$2,743
19961413 / 151$2,743
19951311 / 151$2,954
19941311 / 151$2,954
ROWS 21·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar
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How we count

This page rests on 27 EPA ratings of the Land Rover Discovery — 6 engines across 1994–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $4,554. Full method.

Everything on the Land Rover Discovery
Recalls63 campaignsReliability3.5/5Common problems332 complaintsCheck a VINAgainst this exact buildDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices441 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1994–2026

Frequently asked questions

What mpg does the Land Rover Discovery get?

17.9 mpg combined on average — 16 in the city and 20.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1994–2026.

How much does a Land Rover Discovery cost in fuel per year?

About $2,145 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,725 over five years, or 0.179 dollars a mile.

Which Discovery engine is the most economical?

The 3L 6-cyl at 23 mpg, against 12 for the 4.6L 8-cyl — a difference of about $1,530 a year.

Is the Discovery good on fuel compared with similar cars?

Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.

Are these real-world Discovery figures?

No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Land Rover Discovery is $4,554 against the $2,145 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 23 and 12 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.

Gas mileage ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Running cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Sep 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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