New 2027 Land Rover Discovery model in the works to take on 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Chery's incoming Freelander sub-brand

Land Rover has hinted at a radical direction change for its next-generation Discovery SUV. 

The Discovery has been experiencing a sales downturn in Australia, which reflects a global trend for the previously popular name. 

Read More About Land Rover Discovery

• China's new Land Rover revealed: 2026 Freelander concept is the first vehicle from the partnership with Jaguar Land Rover and Chery
• Huge change for legendary brand
• Family SUV's $5000 price hike: 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport still has up to seven seats and gets new tech at a cost

The Defender SUV's successful introduction in 2021 has seen it become a big seller. It has arguably come at the expense of other models, such as the Discovery, but a spokesperson for Land Rover Australia said there remained separate customer bases for the Defender and the Discovery.  

SUV alternatives have blown out in the past few years as well, with rivals introducing cheaper and similarly specified vehicles. 

Freelander is likely to be a direct rival for the Discovery, adding to its mounting task to recapture sales. 

Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer P.B. Balaji has confirmed the brand will take drastic action to rectify the model's decline. 

“Discovery is very much part of our ‘House of Brands’. [This is] an important part of our offering to the customers, and where the customer is able to access the brand, and the entire JLR franchise, at much more affordable prices,” Balaji told United Kingdom outlet Auto Express.

“At the same time, it needs to be uniquely differentiated. Some customers have indeed migrated to a Defender. 
And therefore, that is the work that we are currently on to.

“You should expect to hear from us, future plans on Discovery, sooner rather than later. We are as committed to the Discovery as any of our other brands.”

The Discovery will also have to fight off competition from the incoming Chery sub-brand Freelander Down Under, which is part of a joint venture between JLR and Chery. 

It is unclear when this new Discovery model will be announced, but it appears to be one of Land Rover’s immediate priorities. 

A spokesperson for Land Rover said they could not confirm any details about the new Discovery model in the works or its potential arrival in Australia. 

The Discovery is currently in Australia as a petrol-only model, starting from $73,595 (before on-road costs), making it the cheapest model in the brand’s lineup. 

It is mainly powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing up to 184kW and 365Nm, but there is a limited edition version of the car, which comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.