4 Star Reviews for 2003 Land Rover Discovery

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.01/5 Average
147 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

Land Rover has made a number of updates to its 2003 Discovery. In terms of mechanical components, the company has installed a more powerful 4.6-liter V8 engine and has improved the steering, brakes and suspension. Styling is revised front and rear, including headlamps that mimic its bigger brother's, the Range Rover. New interior treatments grace the cabin, and a rear park distance control is now an option. Finally, Land Rover has dropped the "Series II" nomenclature, and it's now simply called "Discovery."

Pros:
  • Great off-road ability, unique exterior design, advanced handling features.
Cons:
  • Difficult entry and egress, quirky interior design, not much cargo space, poor gas mileage.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 147.00
  • Consumer SUV lover - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    Great midsize vehicle-fun to drive, nice to look at. Third row seats are a snap to use and to pur away. Only complaints are poor stereo sound quality, poor placement of CD changer (under passenger seat) and poor gas milage. Plus, I think they could do something a little different with exterior design, but overall a fun and stylish vehicle!

  • Worth it sometimes - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    Plenty fun to drive off-road, but dont expect a quiet ride. Gas mileage is abysmal, but you come to expect that from a powerful tower. I just cant figure why they cant boost it to something similar to the Toyota 4Runner (16/20). Turning radius is awful, but the engineer in me suspects thats artificially governed, so the reckless among us dont make quick, sharp turns and end up on our sides in a ditch. Powers great, and the vehicle looks unlike anything else out there. What used to look utilitarian now has an edge of bling to it. The interior is fine until you see some of the competitors - then you notice they need to get on the proverbial ball.

  • Perception is Everything - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    Buy it only if your intentions include offroading. Only then could you truly enjoy this vehicle. There are a plethora of better handling and more fuel efficient SUVs, but none that are as truly capable off road. Some people suggest the Touareg, but I would highly disagree. Every major component on the lower 50% of that SUV is susceptible to damage due to its independent suspension. One more suggestion to people who are buying this rig... Get the Old Man Emu steering stabilizer as a first order of business. Especially if yours comes with the 18" wheels. It will eliminate, for the most part, rut-tracking on the freeway and bump- steer.

  • Curiosity caravan - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    The first day I bought it I went out looking for some off-road fun. Since then I have taken my family a crossed the country and back, on and off the road. The dealership I bought it from did not tell me the first owner hit a fire hydrant. That lead to problems for about a year, but it was all covered. Since then I have had no problems. It is not under warranty anymore. So I save money by doing all minor maintenance myself. Yes, the gas mileage stinks bad. To be honest that is the only bad thing I have to say about it. I will get another or rebuild when the time comes.

  • 2003-SE - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    My wife traded her Volvo in for this vehicle because of the body style. She loves the car and likes the ride - she bought a SUV and if she wanted a different ride she would have bought a car instead. The car is fun to drive. Since we have only put 1,000 miles on the vehicle, the reliability is hard to judge at this point. The gas mileage could be improved; however, the purchaser should know before shopping that the mpg will be low.

  • The good in the bad - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    Oh, the stigma... You always hear the complaints and not the praise. Land Rovers do have their quirks. I have to say though that I will never own an American made car for reliability, resale, dealer professionalism, quality and just general engineering mediocrity. That said, the Land Rover shines in comparison. Many of the complaints are due to mis understanding as far as how it is designed. Reliability is a crap shoot. Mine have all been great. 288k on a 89 Rangerover is above average for any make. You have to maintain them to keep them happy as any European car. Off road these things are incredible and Ive owned Jeeps of all types. These were never intended to compare to a highway SUV.

  • NEWBIETO THE LANDROVER FAMILY - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    PICKED UP MY NEW DISCO ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO.MIXED REVIEWS TO DATE. OVERALL, IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE. ENGINE SEEMS STRONG, AND TOWING A 5K BOAT IS A BREEZE. SOLID RIDE,WITH A GREAT FINISH. SOME ITEMS SEEM CHEAPLY MADE. LIKE THE FUEL DOOR CLASP. BROKE OFF IN A WEEK. THE PROS FAR OUTWEIGHT THE CONS SO FAR. WILL REPORT AGAIN IN A YEAR.

  • You get what you pay for. - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    This is my 2nd Discovery and I have gotten what I paid for with both, a very capable on and off road vehicle, with great benefits in the fact that it is weighty and stable. I got out of a Dodge 2500HD diesel 4x4 crew cab into this and was looking for something substantial, and found it in the Discovery. I have had no major service issues. The "command position" seating is great because you can see almost everything. I feel very safe hauling around my precious cargo in the Discovery and would buy another. Dont get it if you are looking for good gas mileage, that isnt what these were built for.

  • SE-7 - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    The Discovery 2003 incorporates the engine 4.6 and transmission from the 2002 Range Rover, the brakes were improved also over the 02, the front suspension was reconfigured to reduce body roll without the need of the expensive ACE system, so you basically are driving a cool series II Discovery with all the better things that were just available in the expensive RangeRover that made it famous. It is a vehicle designed 100% for offroad, that transfers a great handling SUV for your daily drive in highways. Probably the only car that looks in place offroading in high mauntains and at the vallet parking at the Opera in the same Saturday.

  • Like it, But.... - 2003 Land Rover Discovery
    By -

    I really like the vehicle , but there are some things that should be changed. Such as the doors should open further, in-dash cd changer should be standard, exhaust should be on opposite side of rear door handle, do away with plastic fender flares that fade in sunlight, it should have seat and mirror position memory, and the tilt steering wheel should tilt more. I dont have any major complaints, just litle things that could easily be changed to make the vehicle that much better.

Land Rover Discovery Reviews By Year:
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