2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport vs 2026 Toyota Highlander

$49,900 · Crossover

$45,270 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between premium refinement and sheer practicality in a mid-size crossover? The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport starts at a higher MSRP of $49,900 compared to the Toyota Highlander's $45,270, creating a $4,630 initial cost difference. While the Highlander offers superior fuel economy, achieving 24 combined MPG versus the Land Rover's 20 combined MPG, the Discovery Sport provides more accessible cargo space for quick hauls at 32.4 cu ft, even though the Highlander is physically larger overall at 194.9 inches long. Power outputs are close, with the Highlander boasting 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque against the Discovery Sport's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft. This comparison boils down to whether you prioritize European cachet and space efficiency (Car 1) or lower ownership costs and better highway cruising (Car 2).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Toyota Highlander

The 2026 Toyota Highlander wins for commuters due to its superior 24 combined MPG, which will save money on regular unleaded fuel over time.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport is chosen for families because it offers significantly more accessible cargo capacity at 32.4 cu ft compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander offers more impressive performance figures with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque versus the Discovery Sport's respective 246 hp and 269 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander provides better overall value, boasting a $4,630 lower MSRP and a 4 MPG efficiency advantage.

Choose the Land Rover Discovery Sport if...

You need the maximum usable cargo area, as the Discovery Sport provides 32.4 cu ft.
You prefer the 9-speed automatic transmission paired with the standard All-Wheel Drive system.
You appreciate the Land Rover brand heritage and a slightly smaller overall footprint (180.9 inches long).

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

Minimizing fuel stops is critical, given its 24 combined MPG rating.
You need the superior outright power output of 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Keeping the purchase price low is a priority, as the Highlander starts at $45,270.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Discovery Sport	Toyota Highlander
Length	180.9"	194.9"
Width	-	76.0"
Height	67.9"	68.1"
Wheelbase	107.9"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
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	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	246 hp @ 5500 rpm	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	269 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 1700 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	Toyota
Transmission Type	9-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/23 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	336.3/407.1 mi.	375.9/501.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	17.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
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	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Infotainment Display	11.4 in	8.0 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	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Antenna Type	Diversity	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
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	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	—	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	—	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	—	59.0 in.
Front Hip Room	—	57.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Head Room	—	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	—	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	—	58.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	57.0 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	19 in	18 in
Tire Size	N/A	P235/65R V
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Tire Type	—	All Season

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Toyota
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.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport and 2026 Toyota Highlander.

Is the 2026 Toyota Highlander significantly larger than the Discovery Sport?

Yes, the Highlander is physically longer at 194.9 inches compared to the Discovery Sport's 180.9 inches, meaning the Toyota takes up more space in the garage or tight parking spots.

How does the fuel efficiency difference affect ownership costs?

The Highlander achieves 24 combined MPG while the Discovery Sport manages only 20 combined MPG, meaning the Toyota will cost noticeably less to run annually, especially if you drive frequently on the highway (28 MPG vs 23 MPG).

Which vehicle offers better performance for spirited driving?

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is the better choice for enthusiasts, delivering 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Discovery Sport's 246 hp and 269 lb-ft.

If I have a large family, which crossover offers more room for gear?

Surprisingly, the smaller-looking 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport wins here, offering 32.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity, dwarfing the Highlander's stated 16 cu ft minimum cargo space.

Are both vehicles compatible with regular unleaded fuel?

Both the 2026 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2026 Toyota Highlander are specified to use regular unleaded gasoline, simplifying fueling stops for both owners.