2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport arrives with inherent British flair, demanding attention with its premium crossover stance despite delivering 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque for its $48,900 MSRP. Contrastingly, the gargantuan 2026 Volkswagen Atlas explodes onto the scene with a massive footprint (200.7 inches long) and slightly more output, pushing out 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, all while drastically undercutting the Land Rover at just $39,310. While the Atlas promises greater efficiency with a combined 23 MPG versus the Discovery Sport's 20 MPG, the Land Rover offers standard All-Wheel Drive to the Atlas's FWD setup. The Discovery Sport is notably smaller in length (180.9 inches) and volume (32.2 cu ft cargo), appealing to drivers prioritizing maneuverability over the Atlas's vast cabin and 20.6 cu ft cargo area, making this a true battle between premium compactness and value-driven bulk.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
The 2026 Atlas wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 23 combined MPG compared to the Discovery Sport's 20 MPG.
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
The 2026 Atlas is the clear family choice given its substantially larger exterior dimensions and lower starting MSRP of $39,310.
2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Enthusiasts will prefer the Discovery Sport for its standard All-Wheel Drive system, contrasting with the Atlas's FWD configuration.
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
The 2026 Atlas offers substantial power and size for $9,590 less than the Discovery Sport, presenting the better overall financial proposition.
Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...
- You prioritize standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied road conditions over Front Wheel Drive.
- You value a more compact vehicle footprint, measuring only 180.9 inches in length.
- You desire a higher initial level of standard torque output, boasting 269 lb-ft.
Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...
- Your budget is strict, as the Atlas starts nearly $10,000 lower at $39,310.
- Maximum space is essential, given the Atlas's impressive 200.7-inch length and taller 70.4-inch height.
- You seek better long-term running costs with an expected 23 combined MPG versus the competitor's 20 MPG.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Land Rover Discovery Sport | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 180.9" | 200.7" |
| Width | - | 78.3" |
| Height | 67.9" | 70.4" |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 20/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 20 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 336.3/407.1 mi. | 372.0/502.2 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| 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. | 41.3 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. | 40.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 37.6 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 60.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 58.6 in. |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
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 2026 Volkswagen Atlas.
How significant is the difference in powertrain output between the two crossovers?
The 2026 Atlas edges out the Discovery Sport in raw performance, generating 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, slightly beating the Land Rover's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft.
Is the higher starting price of the Land Rover justified by its drivetrain?
The 2025 Discovery Sport commands $48,900 versus the Atlas's $39,310, with the Land Rover offering standard All-Wheel Drive while the Atlas defaults to Front Wheel Drive.
Which vehicle is better for long road trips based on fuel efficiency?
The 2026 Atlas provides better mileage for extended drives, achieving 23 combined MPG (20 city/27 highway) compared to the Discovery Sport's 20 combined MPG (19 city/23 highway).
How does the size difference impact cargo capacity for both vehicles?
Despite the Atlas being nearly 20 inches longer overall, the Discovery Sport actually offers more usable space, boasting 32.2 cu ft versus the Atlas's 20.6 cu ft behind the first row.
Can I use regular unleaded fuel in both the Discovery Sport and the Atlas?
Yes, both the 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas specify regular unleaded fuel, avoiding the need for premium gasoline.
What kind of transmissions are equipped in these two competitors?
The Discovery Sport utilizes a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the 2026 Atlas employs an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
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