2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport ignites the imagination with its premium, go-anywhere AWD capability, commanding a $48,900 entry price. It offers a balanced 246 hp, though its 20 MPG combined might dampen daily enthusiasm. In stark contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport roars to life with a superior 269 hp and a compellingly low MSRP of $37,190, winning the immediate value proposition. While the Atlas boasts nearly 8 cubic feet more cargo space at 40.3 cu ft compared to the Discovery Sport’s 32.2 cu ft, the Land Rover's standard All-Wheel Drive promises a more assured handling experience across varied terrains. The VW leverages its FWD setup to achieve a slightly better 23 MPG combined. Ultimately, this clash pits the premium AWD refinement of the Discovery Sport against the sheer brute force and massive utility of the substantially cheaper Atlas Cross Sport.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Atlas Cross Sport is the better commuter due to its $11,710 lower starting price and slightly better 23 combined MPG.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Families benefit from the Atlas Cross Sport’s significantly larger 40.3 cu ft of cargo capacity.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Atlas Cross Sport provides more excitement with its higher 269 hp output, beating the Discovery Sport's 246 hp.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Atlas Cross Sport delivers superior power and utility for $11,710 less than the Discovery Sport.
Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...
- You require the stability of standard All-Wheel Drive for adverse weather conditions.
- You prefer the inherently more compact footprint, measuring 180.9 inches in length.
- You value the refined image and engineering associated with the Land Rover brand.
Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...
- Your primary concern is budget, given the $37,190 starting MSRP.
- You need maximum hauling ability, leveraging the 40.3 cu ft cargo capacity.
- You seek maximum straight-line performance with 269 horsepower available.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Land Rover Discovery Sport | Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 180.9" | 195.6" |
| Width | - | 78.3" |
| Height | 67.9" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 107.9" | 117.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | — | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Cornering Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 246 hp @ 5500 rpm | 269 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 269 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm | 273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/23 MPG | 20/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 20 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 336.3/407.1 mi. | 372.0/483.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 18.6 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front View Camera | ✓ | — |
| Side View Camera | ✓ | — |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Meridian Speakers | ✓ | — |
| Stereo Power | 380W | — |
| Speaker System | 10 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Antenna Type | Diversity | — |
| Infotainment Display | — | 12.0 in |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | — |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Fixed Glass Extended | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 39.1 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | 61.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Front Hip Room | — | 58.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.7 in. | 37.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 40.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 60.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 58.7 in. |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Size | N/A | 245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | — | All Season |
Suspension
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Land Rover | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
How significant is the price difference between the 2025 Discovery Sport and the 2025 Atlas Cross Sport?
The difference is substantial, with the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport starting at $48,900, which is $11,710 more expensive than the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s $37,190 entry price.
Which crossover offers better power output for highway merging?
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport pulls ahead in raw power, generating 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, noticeably exceeding the Discovery Sport's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft.
Is the fuel economy significantly better on the VW Atlas Cross Sport?
Yes, the Atlas offers a slight edge in efficiency, achieving a combined 23 MPG compared to the Discovery Sport's 20 MPG combined rating.
How does the standard drivetrain impact the driving experience?
The Discovery Sport comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, providing better traction potential, whereas the Atlas Cross Sport is front-wheel drive, prioritizing efficiency and lower cost.
Which vehicle provides more physical space for cargo?
The larger Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is the clear winner for utility, offering 40.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Discovery Sport's 32.2 cubic feet.
Do both vehicles utilize regular unleaded gasoline?
Both the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport are compatible with regular unleaded fuel, helping keep running costs predictable for both models.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool