2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport enters the arena emphasizing traditional AWD capability and rugged British charm, boasting 246 hp and standard all-wheel drive for its $48,900 starting price. Conversely, the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid captivates with staggering efficiency, offering a compelling 36 combined MPG and an impressive 33 miles of all-electric range, all starting nearly $8,500 cheaper at $40,490. While the Kia edges out the Land Rover slightly in raw power with 268 hp compared to the Discovery Sport's 246 hp, the Land Rover’s consumption demands more frequent stops, returning only 20 combined MPG. The Kia also offers marginally more utility with 34.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the Discovery Sport’s 32.2 cu ft. This comparison pits traditional, slightly less efficient luxury performance against cutting-edge, efficient hybrid value.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia Sportage PHEV wins for commuters due to its superior 36 combined MPG and 33 miles of electric-only travel, drastically cutting fuel costs.
2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia offers more usable space with 34.5 cu ft of cargo capacity and a significantly lower entry price for family budgeting.
2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport
The Land Rover Discovery Sport's established reputation for off-road prowess and handling dynamics gives it the edge for driving enthusiasts willing to pay a premium.
2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia Sportage PHEV is the clear value winner, priced $8,410 lower while delivering 16 more MPG.
Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...
- You prioritize the traditional, sophisticated feel of a Land Rover's AWD system and driving character.
- You are willing to pay the $48,900 MSRP for a more premium badge and interior feel.
- Your driving style will seldom exceed the 19 MPG city rating, making the efficiency difference less critical.
Choose the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid if...
- Your budget is firm, as the Kia starts $8,410 cheaper at $40,490.
- You can utilize the 33 miles of electric range regularly to maximize the 36 combined MPG.
- You need the maximum available utility, evidenced by the 34.5 cu ft cargo capacity.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Land Rover Discovery Sport | Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 180.9" | 184.4" |
| Width | - | 73.4" |
| Height | 67.9" | 66.9" |
| Wheelbase | 107.9" | 108.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 1.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 246 hp @ 5500 rpm | 268 hp |
| Torque | 269 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm | 271 lb-ft |
| 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 | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Center Differential Type | — | Locking |
Fuel
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/23 MPG | 35/36 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 20 MPG | 36 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 336.3/407.1 mi. | 388.5/399.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 11.1 gal. |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | — | 87/78 MPGe |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | — | 83 MPGe |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | — | 33 mi. |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | — | 43 |
| Charging Time (240V) | — | 2.0 hr. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | — | SAE J1772 |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | 12.3 in |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Fixed Glass Extended | 1st Row Power Glass Extended |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 39.1 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | 57.5 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 | — | 54.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.7 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 53.4 in. |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Size | N/A | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 19 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | — | All Season |
Suspension
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Land Rover | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| EV Battery Warranty | — | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.
Which crossover is faster off the line based on published horsepower and torque figures?
The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV boasts a slight edge with 268 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Land Rover Discovery Sport's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft. This marginal advantage suggests the Kia will feel quicker during acceleration.
How much more fuel-efficient is the Kia Sportage PHEV compared to the Land Rover?
The efficiency gap is substantial; the Kia achieves 36 combined MPG, while the standard gasoline Land Rover returns only 20 combined MPG. This results in a 16 MPG difference in fuel economy.
Does the Land Rover Discovery Sport offer any electric-only driving capability?
No, the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport listed uses a conventional powertrain with a 9-speed automatic transmission and regular unleaded fuel, whereas the Kia Sportage PHEV provides 33 miles of pure electric range.
Which vehicle offers more interior room for cargo storage?
The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV holds a slight advantage in cargo metrics, offering 34.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The Land Rover Discovery Sport provides 32.2 cubic feet in the same configuration.
What is the difference in price between these two all-wheel drive crossovers?
There is an $8,410 price disparity between the two models; the Kia Sportage PHEV starts at $40,490, significantly undercutting the Land Rover Discovery Sport's starting MSRP of $48,900.
Are both vehicles powered by the same type of fuel?
Yes, both the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid specify the use of regular unleaded fuel, although the Kia benefits from a hybrid system.
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