2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport

$38,200 · Crossover

$49,900 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The primary divergence between the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport is the $11,700 difference in Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the Atlas starting at $38,200 versus the Discovery Sport's $49,900. Power output favors the Atlas, delivering 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque compared to the Land Rover's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft. Conversely, utility strongly favors the smaller Land Rover in terms of dedicated space, offering 32.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Atlas's 20.6 cubic feet. Fuel economy shows a marginal lead for the Atlas at 22 combined MPG versus 20 combined MPG, though the Atlas is FWD while the Discovery Sport is standard AWD. The Atlas is also substantially larger, measuring 200.7 inches in length compared to the Land Rover's 180.9 inches, suggesting a significant cabin volume advantage not explicitly quantified here.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2025 Atlas offers superior combined fuel economy at 22 MPG and utilizes regular unleaded fuel, potentially lowering daily running costs over the AWD Discovery Sport's 20 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Despite the lower MSRP of car1, the 2026 Discovery Sport provides significantly greater usable storage with 32.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to car1's 20.6 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas offers a measurable performance advantage with 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, exceeding the Discovery Sport's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas undercuts the Discovery Sport by $11,700 while offering 23 more horsepower, representing a superior output-to-price ratio.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

Your primary concern is the initial purchase price, as the Atlas starts $11,700 lower at $38,200.
You prioritize measurable straight-line power, evidenced by the Atlas's 269 hp output.
You require the largest possible exterior footprint, as the Atlas is nearly 20 inches longer than the Discovery Sport.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...

Maximum cargo volume is necessary, as the Discovery Sport provides 32.4 cubic feet versus 20.6 cubic feet.
Standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) traction is non-negotiable for your driving conditions.
A more refined powertrain specification is desired, featuring a 9-speed automatic transmission over the Atlas's 8-speed unit.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Atlas	Land Rover Discovery Sport
Length	200.7"	180.9"
Width	78.3"	-
Height	70.4"	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	✓	✓
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 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)	22 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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
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	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

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	41.3 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	40.4 in.	—
Rear Leg Room	37.6 in.	—
Rear Shoulder Room	60.5 in.	—
Rear Hip Room	58.6 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

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 and 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Which vehicle is the superior choice for hauling cargo based on published specifications?

The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport is superior for cargo, listing 32.4 cubic feet of capacity. The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas only provides 20.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, indicating a substantial volumetric difference.

How does the standard drivetrain affect commuter efficiency between the two models?

The Atlas comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and achieves 22 combined MPG, while the Discovery Sport includes All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and is rated slightly lower at 20 combined MPG. This suggests the AWD system slightly impacts the efficiency of car2.

Is the difference in horsepower significant enough to impact driving dynamics?

Yes, the Atlas boasts 269 hp, an advantage of 23 hp over the Discovery Sport’s 246 hp, translating to potentially quicker acceleration figures in standard specification.

What is the exact price disparity between the base models?

There is an $11,700 difference in MSRP, with the 2025 Atlas priced at $38,200 and the 2026 Discovery Sport starting at $49,900.

Do both vehicles require premium fuel?

No, both the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport are listed as requiring regular unleaded fuel, standardizing long-term fuel expenditures.

How much larger is the Atlas externally compared to the Discovery Sport?

The Atlas is significantly larger overall, measuring 200.7 inches long versus the Discovery Sport's 180.9 inches, providing nearly 20 inches more length for potential interior room.