Compare the2023 Land Rover DiscoveryVS 2023 Volvo XC60

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Discovery. But it costs extra on the XC60.

Both the Discovery and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 63 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Volvo.

As tested in Motor Trend the Discovery P360 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

Both the Discovery and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Discovery’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Discovery has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC60 (23.8 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Land Rover Discovery higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the Discovery produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Discovery’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

The Discovery stops shorter than the XC60:

For better traction, the Discovery has larger standard tires than the XC60 (255/55R20 vs. 235/60R18). The Discovery’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (285/40R22 vs. 265/35R22).

The Discovery’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC60’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Discovery has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60. The Discovery’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

The Discovery offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XC60; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Discovery has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC60 Ultimate suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Discovery uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC60, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Discovery’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the XC60 (115.1 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Discovery is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the XC60.

For greater off-road capability the Discovery has a 2.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 w/Air Suspension (11.1 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Discovery to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Discovery’s minimum ground clearance is 2.6 inches higher than on the XC60 (11.1 vs. 8.5 inches).

The front grille of the Discovery uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Discovery has standard seating for 7 passengers; the XC60 can only carry 5.

The Discovery has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear hip room and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Discovery’s middle row seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Discovery when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The XC60 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The Discovery’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC60.

The Discovery’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in every dimension:

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Discovery’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Discovery’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (5925 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC60 is only 3500 pounds. The Discovery offers up to a 8200 lbs. towing capacity.

Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is standard on the Discovery, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC60.

The engine in the Discovery is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Discovery’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Discovery HSE/Metropolitan has standard front air conditioned seats and the Discovery offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The XC60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Discovery HSE/Metropolitan offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XC60.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Land Rover Discovery has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.

The Discovery’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.