2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2026 Subaru Outback

$48,900 · Crossover

$34,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport bursts forth with a zestful 246 hp, promising a more spirited drive encased in its premium, compact shell, starting at $48,900. Conversely, the 2026 Subaru Outback anchors its appeal in rugged, practical efficiency, boasting a formidable 27 MPG combined despite its slightly larger frame at 191.7 inches long. While the Land Rover offers significantly more muscle (269 lb-ft of torque versus the Outback's 178 lb-ft), this premium comes at a steep cost, separated by a massive $13,905 MSRP gap. The Outback claws back ground in utility, offering 34.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Discovery Sport's 32.2 cu ft, all while sipping fuel much more economically. Enthusiasts chasing acceleration will lean toward the Land Rover's superior power figures, but those prioritizing long-term ownership costs and daily economy will find the Outback's 7 MPG advantage compelling.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Outback

The 2026 Subaru Outback wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 27 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Outback

Families will benefit from the Outback's larger 34.6 cu ft of cargo capacity over the Discovery Sport's 32.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport delivers a significant performance edge with 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is the clear value winner, undercutting the Land Rover by nearly $14,000 at $34,995.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...

You prioritize outright power, as the Discovery Sport offers 246 hp.
You desire the assured traction of standard All-Wheel Drive paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
You prefer a more compact footprint, measuring 180.9 inches in length, for urban maneuvering.

Choose the Subaru Outback if...

Fuel economy is paramount, given the Outback’s 31 MPG highway rating.
Your budget demands a starting MSRP below $35,000 ($48,900 for the rival).
Maximum hauling capability is needed, as the Outback provides 34.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Discovery Sport	Subaru Outback
Length	180.9"	191.7"
Width	-	74.0"
Height	67.9"	67.5"
Wheelbase	107.9"	108.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
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	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	246 hp @ 5500 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	269 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4800 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	Subaru
Transmission Type	9-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/23 MPG	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	336.3/407.1 mi.	450.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
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	✓	—
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
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	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Antenna Type	Diversity	—
Infotainment Display	—	12.1 in
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Moonroof Type	1st Row Fixed Glass Extended	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	57.9 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	—	55.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.7 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.1 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	57.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	55.1 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Size	N/A	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	—	All Season

Suspension

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and 2026 Subaru Outback.

What is the main performance gap between the 2025 Discovery Sport and the 2026 Outback?

The Land Rover Discovery Sport holds a substantial power advantage, generating 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque compared to the Subaru Outback's 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. This 66 hp difference means the Land Rover will feel significantly quicker during acceleration.

Is the higher price of the Land Rover Discovery Sport justified by better efficiency?

No, the Land Rover is considerably less efficient; it achieves a combined 20 MPG on regular unleaded, whereas the Subaru Outback nets 27 MPG combined. This results in a substantial 7 MPG penalty for the Land Rover owner.

Which vehicle offers more usable space for hauling gear?

The 2026 Subaru Outback provides a slight advantage in cargo capacity, offering 34.6 cubic feet behind the second row, beating the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport which has 32.2 cubic feet.

Do both crossovers come standard with All-Wheel Drive?

Yes, both the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2026 Subaru Outback are equipped with All-Wheel Drive systems. However, the Land Rover uses a traditional 9-speed automatic transmission while the Subaru utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic.

How much money can a buyer save by choosing the Outback over the Discovery Sport?

The initial savings are substantial; the Outback's MSRP of $34,995 is $13,905 less than the Discovery Sport's $48,900 starting price.

What fuel requirement do these two AWD crossovers share?

Both the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2026 Subaru Outback are designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline, avoiding the need for premium fuel.