2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the sensible 2025 Toyota Highlander and the premium 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport often boils down to balancing upfront cost against perceived luxury and capability. The most immediate hurdle is the $9,580 difference in MSRP, with the Highlander starting at $40,320 versus the Discovery Sport's $49,900. While the Highlander offers superior running costs with 25 MPG combined compared to the Land Rover's 20 MPG combined, the Discovery Sport counters with standard All-Wheel Drive and significantly more storage, boasting 32.4 cu ft of cargo space against the Highlander's 16 cu ft in the configuration listed. Performance wise, the Highlander has a slight edge in power output, delivering 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the Land Rover produces 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing fuel savings, the Highlander is the clear choice, but those seeking more space and standard AWD might stretch for the Discovery Sport.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 25 MPG, saving money on frequent drives.
2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport
The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport is better for families needing space, offering nearly double the cargo capacity at 32.4 cu ft versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander appeals more to performance-minded drivers with its higher output of 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander offers much better value by saving buyers $9,580 in upfront costs while achieving better fuel efficiency.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You want to save $9,580 immediately, as the Highlander starts at $40,320.
- Fuel economy is a top priority, thanks to the Highlander's 25 MPG combined rating.
- You prefer a smoother power delivery with a higher torque figure of 310 lb-ft.
Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...
- You require maximum cargo capacity, as the Discovery Sport provides 32.4 cu ft.
- All-Wheel Drive capability is essential for your driving conditions.
- You desire the slightly smoother shifting experience of a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander | Land Rover Discovery Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 180.9" |
| Width | 76.0" | - |
| Height | 68.1" | 67.9" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 107.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | — |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | — |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm | 246 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 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 | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/29 MPG | 19/23 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 20 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 393.8/519.1 mi. | 336.3/407.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Side View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 11.4 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 11 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Meridian Speakers | — | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | — | 400W |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
| Antenna Type | — | Diversity |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Fixed Glass Extended |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | — |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | — |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | — |
| Front Hip Room | 57.2 in. | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 10-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 3 |
| 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 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | — |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | — |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.7 in. | — |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 19 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | P235/65R V | N/A |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport.
What is the key mechanical difference between the 2025 Highlander and the 2026 Discovery Sport?
The primary mechanical difference is the standard drivetrain; the Highlander uses Front Wheel Drive with an 8-speed automatic, while the Land Rover includes All-Wheel Drive paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
How much more powerful is the Toyota Highlander?
The 2025 Highlander produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making it notably more potent than the 2026 Discovery Sport, which offers 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.
Is the Land Rover significantly smaller than the Toyota?
Yes, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is dimensionally smaller, measuring 180.9 inches in length compared to the Highlander’s 194.9 inches. Despite being shorter, it manages to offer more usable interior space.
What is the total fuel cost difference over a year?
Based on the 5 MPG difference (25 MPG vs. 20 MPG), the Highlander will cost substantially less to run on regular unleaded fuel, especially for drivers covering high annual mileage.
Why does the Discovery Sport have such a higher starting price?
The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport carries a $49,900 MSRP, which is $9,580 more than the Highlander's $40,320. This difference reflects the Land Rover's premium positioning and standard AWD hardware.
If I need to carry a lot of gear, which crossover is better?
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the clear winner for cargo volume, offering 32.4 cu ft. The 2025 Toyota Highlander's listed cargo capacity is significantly smaller at just 16 cu ft in the specified configuration.
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