2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport

$37,190 · Crossover

$49,900 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the roomy 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport and the premium 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport is tough when price matters. If saving money is key, the Atlas Cross Sport starts at a compelling $37,190, significantly undercutting the Land Rover's $49,900 MSRP—a $12,710 difference! However, the VW dominates in utility, offering a much larger 40.3 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Land Rover's 32.4 cu ft. Power delivery favors the Atlas as well, pushing out 269 hp versus the Discovery Sport's 246 hp. While the VW gets a slightly better 23 MPG combined versus 20 MPG, buyers must weigh the steep price advantage of the Atlas against the standard All-Wheel Drive and perceived luxury cachet of the Discovery Sport, especially since the VW is nearly 5 inches longer at 195.6 inches.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 23 MPG and lower operating costs associated with a lower MSRP.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Families will benefit significantly from the Atlas Cross Sport's larger 40.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Discovery Sport's 32.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport offers a slight performance edge with 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque versus the Discovery Sport's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

With a starting price $12,710 lower than car2, the Atlas Cross Sport offers vastly better specification value.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...

You need maximum utility, highlighted by its 40.3 cu ft of cargo space.
Keeping the initial purchase price under $40,000 is crucial ($37,190 MSRP).
You prefer slightly more power, as the VW boasts 269 hp.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...

All-Wheel Drive is a non-negotiable standard feature for your driving conditions.
You prefer a slightly smaller overall footprint (180.9 inches long) for easier maneuvering.
The premium branding associated with Land Rover outweighs the $12,710 price gap.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport	Land Rover Discovery Sport
Length	195.6"	180.9"
Width	78.3"	-
Height	68.1"	67.9"
Wheelbase	117.3"	107.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	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	✓	✓
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 Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering 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	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	269 hp @ 5500 rpm	246 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	273 lb-ft @ 1600 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	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	19/23 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	20 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	372.0/483.6 mi.	336.3/407.1 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.6 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Volkswagen	Land Rover
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	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone 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	—	✓
Front View Camera	—	✓
Side View Camera	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Infotainment Display	12.0 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	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
One-Touch Power Windows	—	4
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Fixed Glass Extended

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	—
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	—
Front Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	—
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Passenger Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Rear Head Room	37.8 in.	—
Rear Leg Room	40.4 in.	—
Rear Shoulder Room	60.4 in.	—
Rear Hip Room	58.7 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	—
Tire Size	245/60R18	N/A
Wheel Diameter	—	19 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Volkswagen	Land Rover
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	6 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 20000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport.

How much more cargo space does the Atlas Cross Sport offer over the Discovery Sport?

The 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport offers significantly more storage volume, providing 40.3 cubic feet behind the second row. This compares favorably to the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport, which only manages 32.4 cubic feet in the same configuration.

Is the extra cost of the Discovery Sport justified by better fuel efficiency?

No, the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport is less efficient, achieving a combined 20 MPG versus the Atlas Cross Sport's 23 MPG combined. You pay $12,710 more for lower fuel economy in the Land Rover.

Which vehicle is more powerful for highway merging?

The 2025 Atlas Cross Sport has the advantage in raw power, putting out 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The Discovery Sport trails slightly with 246 hp and 269 lb-ft.

Does the Discovery Sport include AWD standard, unlike the VW?

Yes, a key difference is the standard Drive Type; the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, whereas the base 2025 VW Atlas Cross Sport is listed with Front Wheel Drive.

How much longer is the Atlas Cross Sport compared to the Discovery Sport?

The VW is substantially longer; measuring 195.6 inches in length, it is nearly 5 inches longer than the 2026 Discovery Sport, which measures 180.9 inches.

Are both vehicles compatible with regular unleaded gasoline?

Fortunately, both the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport are rated to use regular unleaded fuel, helping to keep running costs predictable.