2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

$48,900 · Crossover

$44,710 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport bursts onto the scene with British sophistication and a standard 9-speed automatic transmission paired with 246 hp, aiming for premium appeal despite a thirstier 20 combined MPG. Conversely, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid dominates efficiency, delivering an astonishing 34 combined MPG, offsetting its lower initial output of 245 hp. The price gap is significant; the Toyota undercuts the Land Rover by $4,190, making the efficiency difference of 14 MPG even more compelling on paper. While the Discovery Sport offers a slightly more compact footprint at 180.9 inches long, the Grand Highlander Hybrid caters to space with its massive 72.1-inch height. For those prioritizing traditional driving feel, the Land Rover's fixed gearing might appeal, but the sheer economy of the hybrid powertrain sets the stage for a genuine conflict between badge prestige and long-term running costs.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid wins for commuters due to its vastly superior 34 combined MPG rating, significantly cutting fuel expenditure.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Grand Highlander Hybrid offers superior interior volume and better fuel economy for hauling a family over long distances.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Discovery Sport is awarded to enthusiasts who prefer the engagement of a traditional 9-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.

💰 Best Value

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota provides exceptional long-term value by costing $4,190 less upfront and saving substantially on fuel.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...

You prefer the defined shift points and dynamic feel of a 9-speed automatic transmission.
You favor the Land Rover’s slightly smaller dimensions (180.9 inches length) for navigating tight urban areas.
You prioritize the standard 269 lb-ft of torque delivered by the conventional powertrain.

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...

Saving money at the pump is paramount, thanks to the 14 MPG advantage (34 vs 20 combined).
You need maximum utility, evidenced by the taller stance (72.1 inches high) and larger overall cabin.
You want to save $4,190 on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Discovery Sport	Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Length	180.9"	201.4"
Width	-	78.3"
Height	67.9"	72.1"
Wheelbase	107.9"	116.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
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	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	246 hp @ 5500 rpm	245 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	269 lb-ft @ 1300 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	Toyota
Transmission Type	9-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/23 MPG	36/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	34 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	336.3/407.1 mi.	619.2/550.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	17.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
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	✓	—
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	60.2 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	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Front Hip Room	—	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Rear Head Room	38.7 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.1 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	58.8 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	57.0 in.
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Size	N/A	255/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	—	All Season

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
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.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.

How much more space does the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offer compared to the Discovery Sport?

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is significantly larger overall, standing 72.1 inches tall versus the Land Rover's 67.9 inches height. While the Land Rover offers more pure cargo space behind the second row at 32.2 cu ft, the Toyota's larger overall footprint suggests greater passenger room.

Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport's powertrain better for performance driving?

The Discovery Sport is geared towards a more traditional enthusiast experience, featuring a 246 hp engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. In contrast, the Grand Highlander Hybrid uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) which prioritizes smoothness and economy over raw shifting performance.

What is the real-world fuel economy difference between these two AWD vehicles?

The difference is substantial: the Grand Highlander Hybrid achieves an impressive 34 combined MPG, resulting in a 14 MPG advantage over the Land Rover Discovery Sport’s 20 combined MPG. This disparity will result in noticeable long-term fuel savings.

Does the higher price of the Land Rover Discovery Sport (MSRP $48,900) justify its features?

The Discovery Sport commands a $4,190 premium over the starting price of the Grand Highlander Hybrid. Buyers must weigh the badge prestige and the driving dynamics of the 9-speed automatic against the hybrid's significant long-term economic benefits.

Which vehicle handles regular unleaded gasoline better?

Both vehicles are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires premium gasoline for operation. However, the Toyota uses its efficiency advantage to stretch that regular fuel much further across daily driving scenarios.