2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2026 Toyota Highlander

$48,900 · Crossover

$45,270 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport commands attention with its inherently adventurous, premium aesthetic, boasting 246 hp and standard All-Wheel Drive packaged in a nimble 180.9-inch frame. Conversely, the 2026 Toyota Highlander roars off the line with a more potent 265 hp and an impressive 310 lb-ft of torque, emphasizing muscular efficiency. While the Discovery Sport offers a respectable 32.2 cu ft of cargo space, the Highlander delivers superior fuel economy, achieving 24 combined MPG compared to the Land Rover's 20 combined MPG. Furthermore, the Highlander commands better highway cruising potential with 28 MPG versus the Land Rover’s 23 MPG. This comparison pits luxury poise against rugged, accessible utility, with a significant $3,630 MSRP gap favoring the Toyota.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Toyota Highlander

The 2026 Highlander is superior for commuting due to its substantially better fuel economy, delivering 24 combined MPG versus the Discovery Sport's 20 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Discovery Sport wins for families needing immediate hauling capability, offering a generous 32.2 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander appeals more to driving enthusiasts with superior output, generating 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque against the Discovery Sport's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Toyota Highlander

The 2026 Highlander offers better overall value, costing $3,630 less while providing greater horsepower and significantly better fuel economy.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...

You prioritize cargo volume, as the Discovery Sport offers nearly double the capacity at 32.2 cu ft.
You prefer the handling associated with the standard All-Wheel Drive system paired with a 9-speed automatic.
Your desire is for the distinctive, luxury-oriented styling and presence of a Land Rover.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

You want the best possible fuel efficiency, achieving 28 MPG on the highway versus 23 MPG for the Land Rover.
Maximum powertrain performance is key, utilizing the Highlander's 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Saving money upfront is a priority, as the Highlander undercuts the Discovery Sport's MSRP by $3,630.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Discovery Sport	Toyota Highlander
Length	180.9"	194.9"
Width	-	76.0"
Height	67.9"	68.1"
Wheelbase	107.9"	112.2"

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	2
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	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	246 hp @ 5500 rpm	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	269 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 1700 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	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/23 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	336.3/407.1 mi.	375.9/501.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	17.9 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	—	✓
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	—	8.0 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	1st Row Power Glass
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	59.0 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	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	—	57.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Rear Head Room	38.7 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.1 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	58.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	57.0 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	18 in
Tire Size	N/A	P235/65R V
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted
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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Which crossover is better equipped for rugged performance?

The 2026 Toyota Highlander exhibits a stronger performance profile with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Although both feature All-Wheel Drive, the Highlander’s superior output makes it the more potent choice for spirited driving.

How significant is the difference in cargo space?

The difference is substantial; the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport provides 32.2 cu ft of cargo space, which is nearly double the 16 cu ft offered by the 2026 Toyota Highlander.

Is the Land Rover Discovery Sport more expensive than the Highlander?

Yes, the 2025 Discovery Sport has an MSRP of $48,900, making it $3,630 more expensive than the 2026 Highlander's starting price of $45,270.

Which vehicle uses a more efficient powertrain for daily driving?

The Highlander is significantly more efficient, delivering 24 combined MPG with its 8-speed automatic compared to the Discovery Sport's 20 combined MPG using its 9-speed unit.

Do these vehicles require premium fuel?

Both the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2026 Toyota Highlander are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying long-term running costs.