2026 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Comparison Overview
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport explodes onto the scene prioritizing rugged affordability, starting at just $31,845 with an efficient 27 MPG combined. Its stout, boxy design promises go-anywhere attitude, leveraging 181 hp to tackle trails within a compact 172.7-inch footprint. Conversely, the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport embodies sophisticated power, demanding $49,900 for a substantially punchier 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. While the Land Rover feels more premium, its fuel economy dips to 20 MPG combined. The core conflict lies here: the Bronco Sport saves you $18,055 upfront and nets 7 MPG more, yet the Discovery Sport delivers a massive 65-horsepower advantage, showcasing a clear split between value-driven capability and premium performance metrics.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport wins for commuters due to its superior 27 MPG combined fuel economy compared to the Discovery Sport's 20 MPG.
2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport
The Land Rover Discovery Sport offers more passenger space implied by its longer 180.9-inch length and greater power for merging safely.
2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Enthusiasts will favor the Discovery Sport for its robust 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, significantly outgunning the Bronco Sport's 181 hp.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport provides exceptional utility with an MSRP of only $31,845, representing a massive $18,055 saving over the Land Rover.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You prioritize low running costs, as the 27 MPG combined saves money over the Discovery Sport's 20 MPG.
- Your budget is firmly set below $32,000, given the $31,845 starting MSRP.
- You prefer a more upright, maneuverable design, evidenced by the Bronco Sport's shorter 172.7-inch length.
Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...
- You demand swift acceleration, benefiting from the 65 hp advantage (246 hp vs. 181 hp).
- You want higher torque for towing or hauling, as the Discovery Sport boasts 269 lb-ft versus 190 lb-ft.
- You prefer a slightly larger vehicle structure, as the Land Rover measures 180.9 inches in length.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Bronco Sport | Land Rover Discovery Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 172.7" | 180.9" |
| Width | 74.3" | - |
| Height | 70.2" | 67.9" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 107.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Folding Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | 246 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm | 269 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 12 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/30 MPG | 19/23 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 20 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 400.0/480.0 mi. | 336.3/407.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Side View Camera | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | 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 |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Meridian Speakers | — | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | — | 400W |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Antenna Type | — | Diversity |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Fixed Glass Extended |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | — |
| Front Leg Room | 42.4 in. | — |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | — |
| Front Hip Room | 55.2 in. | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 10-way |
| 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 | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 41.7 in. | — |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.9 in. | — |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | — |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | 19 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | 225/65R H | N/A |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Land Rover |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | 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 | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport and 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport.
How much more expensive is the Land Rover Discovery Sport than the Bronco Sport?
The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport carries a significantly higher starting MSRP of $49,900. This creates a major $18,055 price gulf between it and the $31,845 Ford Bronco Sport.
Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for daily driving?
The Ford Bronco Sport is the clear winner for efficiency, achieving a combined 27 MPG, whereas the more powerful Discovery Sport returns only 20 MPG combined. This results in a 7 MPG difference on paper.
Is the performance gap between the two crossovers substantial?
Yes, the performance gap is considerable; the Land Rover offers 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the Bronco Sport produces 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque.
Do both vehicles use the same fuel?
Both the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying fuel stops for owners of either model.
Which crossover provides more room behind the rear seats?
Cargo capacity is nearly identical, but the Ford Bronco Sport edges out its rival slightly with 32.5 cubic feet. The Land Rover Discovery Sport offers 32.4 cubic feet of space.
What transmissions do these models utilize?
The Ford Bronco Sport is equipped with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. The Land Rover Discovery Sport uses a 9-speed automatic transmission, which may contribute to its higher power output utilization.
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