2026 Acura RDX vs 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Comparison Overview
Deciding between premium luxury and budget-conscious power often boils down to how you prioritize that initial purchase price versus ongoing performance and running costs. Right off the bat, the 2026 Acura RDX comes in significantly cheaper, costing $4,800 less than the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport at $45,100. If spirited driving is key, the RDX also flexes a clear advantage, offering 272 hp compared to the Discovery Sport's 246 hp—a difference of 26 hp. Fuel efficiency is another crucial point; the RDX achieves 23 MPG combined, beating the Land Rover’s 20 MPG combined, which is important given the RDX recommends premium fuel. While the Discovery Sport offers slightly more space with 32.4 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the RDX's 29.5 cu ft, buyers leaning towards dynamic performance and upfront savings will gravitate toward the Acura.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Acura RDX
The RDX offers better combined fuel economy at 23 MPG and a lower initial cost, making daily driving more affordable.
2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport
The Discovery Sport provides slightly more usable cargo space at 32.4 cu ft, which is handy for hauling family gear.
2026 Acura RDX
With 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, the RDX delivers noticeably more output than its competitor.
2026 Acura RDX
Saving $4,800 upfront while gaining 26 more horsepower and better fuel economy signals superior immediate value.
Choose the Acura RDX if...
- You want to keep the initial purchase price under $46,000.
- You value quick acceleration and higher output from your powertrain (272 hp).
- You prioritize maximizing combined fuel economy (23 MPG) even with a premium fuel recommendation.
Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...
- You need the extra flexibility offered by 32.4 cu ft of cargo room.
- You prefer using regular unleaded fuel instead of premium unleaded.
- You want the slightly taller stature of the Discovery Sport (67.9 inches height).
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Acura RDX | Land Rover Discovery Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 187.4" | 180.9" |
| Width | 74.8" | - |
| Height | 65.7" | 67.9" |
| Wheelbase | 108.3" | 107.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Acura | 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 Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running 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 | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6500 rpm | 246 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 280 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 | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/27 MPG | 19/23 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 20 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 359.1/461.7 mi. | 336.3/407.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Acura | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather 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 | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.2 in | 11.4 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 9 | 11 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | 1 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Meridian Speakers | — | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | — | 400W |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Antenna Type | — | Diversity |
Power Feature
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | 1st Row Fixed Glass Extended |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | — |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | — |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.0 in. | — |
| Front Hip Room | 55.0 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 Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | — | 3 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | — |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.0 in. | — |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.0 in. | — |
| Rear Hip Room | 50.0 in. | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | N/A |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 19 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
Warranty
| Feature | Acura | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 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 2026 Acura RDX and 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport.
How big is the actual price gap between these two crossovers?
The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport starts at $49,900, making it exactly $4,800 more expensive than the 2026 Acura RDX's starting MSRP of $45,100.
Does the difference in horsepower significantly impact real-world driving?
Yes, the 2026 Acura RDX boasts 272 hp, giving it a 26 hp advantage over the Discovery Sport's 246 hp, suggesting quicker acceleration.
Which vehicle requires the more expensive fuel type?
The 2026 Acura RDX recommends premium unleaded fuel for optimal performance, whereas the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport runs efficiently on regular unleaded.
If I haul a lot of gear, which crossover has more room?
The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport is the winner for pure storage, offering 32.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the RDX's 29.5 cubic feet.
Are these vehicles similar in physical size?
They are similar overall, but the Discovery Sport is significantly taller at 67.9 inches versus the RDX’s 65.7 inches, though the RDX is slightly longer (187.4 inches vs. 180.9 inches).
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