2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2026 Subaru Ascent

$49,900 · Crossover

$40,795 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

When you're torn between premium appeal and serious practicality, choosing between the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2026 Subaru Ascent can be tough. The Discovery Sport starts at a higher MSRP of $49,900 compared to the Ascent's more budget-friendly $40,795, a difference of over nine thousand dollars. While the Land Rover offers a shorter, arguably nimbler package at 180.9 inches long and produces 246 hp, the Ascent counters with more space and efficiency. Subaru boasts superior fuel economy at 22 MPG combined versus the Land Rover's 20 MPG combined. Furthermore, the Ascent offers significantly more passenger room due to its larger exterior dimensions, even though its official listed cargo capacity of 17.8 cu ft seems less than the Discovery Sport's 32.4 cu ft (note: Ascent often implies third-row usage in this measurement). The Ascent’s 260 hp also gives it a slight edge in raw output over the Land Rover's 246 hp.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent wins for commuters due to its better combined MPG of 22 versus the Land Rover's 20 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Ascent

The Ascent is likely better for families because its larger exterior dimensions usually translate to superior three-row passenger comfort than the more compact Discovery Sport.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Ascent

Enthusiasts should favor the Ascent slightly because it provides more horsepower at 260 hp and slightly more torque at 277 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent offers clear value superiority with an MSRP that is $9,105 less than the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...

You prioritize a slightly higher standard cargo capacity of 32.4 cu ft behind the second row.
You prefer a vehicle with a 9-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.
You want the prestige associated with the Land Rover brand, despite the higher $49,900 starting price.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

Sticking to a tighter budget is crucial, as the Ascent saves you $9,105 in starting MSRP.
Maximizing fuel efficiency is a goal, as it achieves 22 MPG combined compared to 20 MPG.
You need a slightly larger vehicle overall, evidenced by its greater height (71.6 inches) and length (196.8 inches).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Discovery Sport	Subaru Ascent
Length	180.9"	196.8"
Width	-	76.0"
Height	67.9"	71.6"
Wheelbase	107.9"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	246 hp @ 5500 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	269 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm	277 lb-ft @ 2000 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	Land Rover	Subaru
Transmission Type	9-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/23 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	336.3/407.1 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Infotainment Display	11.4 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Meridian Speakers	✓	—
Stereo Power	400W	—
Speaker System	11	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Antenna Type	Diversity	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Moonroof Type	1st Row Fixed Glass Extended	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
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	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Head Room	—	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	—	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	—	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	—	57.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Head Room	—	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	—	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	—	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	57.5 in.
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Size	N/A	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	—	All Season

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport and 2026 Subaru Ascent.

Is the 2026 Subaru Ascent significantly bigger than the Discovery Sport?

Yes, the Ascent is noticeably larger, measuring 196.8 inches long compared to the Discovery Sport's 180.9 inches, and it's also taller at 71.6 inches versus 67.9 inches. This difference in size usually translates to better passenger room, especially in a crossover context.

How much more expensive is the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport?

The Discovery Sport has a significantly higher starting MSRP of $49,900 compared to the Subaru Ascent's $40,795. That results in a $9,105 price gap right from the start.

Which crossover uses less fuel on the highway?

The 2026 Subaru Ascent is the more frugal option, delivering 26 MPG highway compared to the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport's 23 MPG highway. This efficiency gap widens across the 20 MPG combined versus 22 MPG combined ratings.

Do both vehicles require premium fuel?

Neither vehicle requires premium fuel; both the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2026 Subaru Ascent are specified to run on regular unleaded gasoline.

Does the Land Rover Discovery Sport have more power than the Ascent?

Surprisingly, no; the 2026 Subaru Ascent holds the slight power advantage with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, slightly edging out the Discovery Sport's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.

What is the transmission difference between these two AWD crossovers?

The Land Rover utilizes a conventional 9-speed automatic transmission. In contrast, the Subaru Ascent employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which helps contribute to its slightly better fuel economy figures.