2025 Land Rover Discovery vs 2026 Acura MDX

$60,200 · Crossover

$51,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between rugged capability and sharp value often defines a luxury crossover purchase, and the 2025 Land Rover Discovery ($60,200 MSRP) versus the 2026 Acura MDX ($51,800 MSRP) perfectly illustrates this trade-off. The Discovery commands a significant $8,400 premium, but it brings standard four-wheel drive and a taller stance (74.3 inches high) for more confident off-roading or deep snow. Performance metrics are close, with the Land Rover offering slightly more muscle at 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque compared to the MDX's 290 hp and 267 lb-ft. However, the MDX edges out slightly in efficiency, achieving a combined 22 MPG versus the Discovery’s 21 MPG, and it recommends premium fuel rather than requiring it. While the MDX is slightly longer at 198.4 inches, the Discovery's superior height suggests better overall ground clearance, making the decision hinge on priority: high-end utility or upfront savings.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX wins for daily commuting due to its lower running cost implications (recommended premium fuel vs. required) and slightly better 26 MPG highway rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Land Rover Discovery

The Land Rover Discovery offers greater peace of mind for families needing all-weather security with its standard four-wheel drive system.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Land Rover Discovery

The Discovery provides higher torque output (295 lb-ft) and standard four-wheel drive, better suiting off-pavement adventures.

💰 Best Value

2026 Acura MDX

The 2026 Acura MDX delivers a sharp value proposition by costing $8,400 less than the Discovery for comparable power figures.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery if...

You prioritize maximum adverse weather capability through standard four-wheel drive.
Your driving environment requires a taller vehicle, evident in its 74.3-inch height.
You prefer the robust 295 lb-ft of torque the Land Rover offers.

Choose the Acura MDX if...

You want to save $8,400 upfront, as the MDX MSRP is $51,800.
You prefer a slightly higher highway efficiency rating of 26 MPG.
You want to avoid the requirement of premium fuel, as the MDX only recommends it.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Discovery	Acura MDX
Length	195.1"	198.4"
Width	-	78.7"
Height	74.3"	67.9"
Wheelbase	115.1"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	296 hp @ 5500 rpm	290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Single overhead cam (SOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	four wheel drive	front wheel drive
4WD System Type	Full Time	—
Transfer Case Gearing	Electronic Single-Speed	—
Locking Hubs	Automatic	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/24 MPG	19/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	452.2/571.2 mi.	351.5/481.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	23.8 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
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	✓	—
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Steering Wheel Material	Simulated Alloy	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	—
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Meridian Speakers	✓	—
Stereo Power	400W	—
Speaker System	11	11
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Infotainment Display	—	12.3 in
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	38.5 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	41.6 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	14-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	14-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	3	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Shoulder Room	—	61.9 in.
Front Hip Room	—	59.3 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Rear Head Room	39.0 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.4 in.	38.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Rear Shoulder Room	—	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	57.8 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	20 in.	—
Tire Size	N/A	255/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	—	All Season

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Discovery and 2026 Acura MDX.

How much more expensive is the Land Rover Discovery than the Acura MDX?

The 2025 Land Rover Discovery starts at an MSRP of $60,200, making it precisely $8,400 more expensive than the 2026 Acura MDX, which starts at $51,800.

Which vehicle is better for off-road conditions?

The Discovery is inherently better equipped due to its standard four-wheel drive system and taller profile (74.3 inches height) compared to the MDX's FWD base architecture.

Does either crossover require premium fuel?

Yes, the 2025 Land Rover Discovery explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel for its 296 hp engine, while the 2026 Acura MDX only recommends it for its 290 hp output.

How do the dimensions compare between the two crossovers?

The Acura MDX is slightly longer at 198.4 inches and notably wider (78.7 inches), while the Land Rover Discovery is substantially taller at 74.3 inches.

Is the performance gap significant between the 296 hp Discovery and the 290 hp MDX?

The performance difference is minimal on paper; the Discovery boasts 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, just slightly ahead of the MDX's 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque.

Which crossover offers better overall fuel economy?

The 2026 Acura MDX holds a slight advantage with a combined rating of 22 MPG (19 city/26 highway), edging out the Discovery's 21 MPG combined (19 city/24 highway).