2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2026 Subaru Outback

$49,900 · Crossover

$34,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Picking between premium refinement and outright affordability is a classic dilemma, and the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport ($49,900) versus the 2026 Subaru Outback ($34,995) clearly illustrates this trade-off. The Land Rover commands a significant $14,905 premium over the budget-friendly Outback. While the Discovery Sport offers a zippier 246 hp from its engine, the Outback counters with superior efficiency, achieving a combined 27 MPG compared to the Land Rover's 20 MPG, which saves real money daily. Furthermore, the Outback, despite being the more affordable option, boasts slightly more usable space with 34.6 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Discovery Sport’s 32.4 cu ft. Choosing the Land Rover means prioritizing brand cachet and raw power, whereas the Outback wins on practicality and lower cost of ownership across its 191.7-inch length.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Outback

The 2026 Subaru Outback wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 27 MPG, easily beating the Discovery Sport’s 20 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Outback

Families will benefit more from the Outback's slightly larger 34.6 cu ft cargo capacity and significantly lower starting price.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Enthusiasts will prefer the Land Rover's higher output of 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque compared to the Subaru’s 180 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Outback

The Outback provides superior overall value, costing $14,905 less while delivering better fuel efficiency and more cargo space.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...

You desire significantly more performance, benefiting from 246 horsepower versus the Subaru's 180 hp.
You prefer the driving dynamics associated with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Brand prestige and the look of the Land Rover Discovery Sport are top priorities for your budget.

Choose the Subaru Outback if...

Saving money is paramount, as the Outback's MSRP of $34,995 is $14,905 less than the Land Rover.
You prioritize stretching your gas budget, thanks to the Outback's 27 combined MPG rating.
You need maximum utility, as the Outback offers a greater cargo volume of 34.6 cu ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Discovery Sport	Subaru Outback
Length	180.9"	191.7"
Width	-	74.0"
Height	67.9"	67.5"
Wheelbase	107.9"	108.1"

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	3
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	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	246 hp @ 5500 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	269 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4800 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	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	336.3/407.1 mi.	450.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.0 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	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Infotainment Display	11.4 in	12.1 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	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	—	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	—	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	—	57.9 in.
Front Hip Room	—	55.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Head Room	—	40.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	—	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	—	57.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	55.1 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Size	N/A	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.0 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 Outback.

How much more power does the Land Rover Discovery Sport offer over the Subaru Outback?

The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport holds a substantial power advantage, producing 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. This is significantly more than the 2026 Subaru Outback, which is rated at 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.

Is the significant price difference between the two crossovers worth the performance gain?

The Discovery Sport costs $14,905 more than the Outback, asking for a premium price tag. Whether it’s 'worth it' depends on your needs; you gain 66 hp but sacrifice 7 MPG in combined fuel economy.

Which vehicle is more fuel-efficient for long highway commutes?

The Subaru Outback is the clear winner for fuel economy on the highway, boasting an estimated 31 MPG highway compared to the Discovery Sport's 23 MPG highway rating.

Do these crossovers have similar interior space for cargo?

They are relatively close, but the Subaru Outback edges out the Land Rover slightly with 34.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Discovery Sport provides 32.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Are there major differences in their drivetrain components?

Yes, while both offer All-Wheel Drive, the Land Rover uses a traditional 9-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Subaru employs a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).

Do the dimensions suggest one is easier to park in tight city spots?

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is shorter in overall length at 180.9 inches, which might make it marginally easier to maneuver than the 191.7-inch Subaru Outback.