Compare the2022 BMW X2VS 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The BMW X2 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the X2 and the Discovery Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X2 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 162 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Discovery Sport has not been tested, yet.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Discovery Sport’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Land Rover only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Discovery Sport.

There are over 84 percent more BMW dealers than there are Land Rover dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X2’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X2’s reliability 48 points higher than the Discovery Sport.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small premium suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Discovery Sport isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 33rd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 136 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 33rd.

The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 more horsepower (301 vs. 246) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 269) than the Discovery Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the X2 xDrive28i with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the Discovery Sport (24 city/31 hwy vs. 19 city/23 hwy).

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X2 M35i’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Discovery Sport:

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Discovery Sport are solid, not vented.

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Discovery Sport’s standard 60 series tires. The X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Discovery Sport’s optional 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X2 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Discovery Sport’s suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the Discovery Sport S pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Discovery Sport S (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the X2’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Discovery Sport’s (37.2 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The BMW X2 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 500 pounds less than the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The X2 is 8.8 inches shorter than the Discovery Sport, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X2 is 9.7 inches narrower than the Discovery Sport, making the X2 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The X2 is 7.9 inches shorter in height than the Discovery Sport, making the X2 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The X2 has a much larger cargo volume than the Discovery Sport with its rear seat up (21.6 vs. 5.5 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X2. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X2’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Land Rover. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 67% lower rating, Land Rover is ranked 31st.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X2 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The X2’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X2 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The X2 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X2 will retain 46.55% to 52.31% of its original price after five years, while the Discovery Sport only retains 40.04% to 43.9%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X2 will be $6732 to $9116 less than for the Land Rover Discovery Sport.