Compare the2022 Land Rover Discovery SportVS 2022 Volvo XC40

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Discovery Sport. But it costs extra on the XC40.

Both the Discovery Sport and the XC40 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, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Land Rover 26th in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th.

The Discovery Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (246 vs. 187) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (269 vs. 221) than the XC40 T4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Discovery Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (269 vs. 258) than the XC40 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the Discovery Sport’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XC40 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the Discovery Sport and the XC40 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Discovery Sports have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the XC40.

The Discovery Sport has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (17.7 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Land Rover Discovery Sport higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (5). This means the Discovery Sport produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Land Rover Discovery Sport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the XC40.

For better stopping power the Discovery Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC40:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Discovery Sport offers optional 21-inch wheels. The XC40’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Discovery Sport has a standard full size spare (not available on 7-Passenger) so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XC40; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Discovery Sport has standard front gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Discovery Sport offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Discovery Sport’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the XC40 (107.9 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Discovery Sport is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XC40.

The Discovery Sport S handles at .82 G’s, while the XC40 T5 R-Design AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Discovery Sport S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC40 T5 R-Design AWD (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The Discovery Sport offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XC40 can only carry 5.

The Discovery Sport has .5 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room and 2 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Discovery Sport’s middle row seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Discovery Sport’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC40.

The Discovery Sport’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in every dimension:

The Discovery Sport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC40’s (4409 vs. 3500 pounds).

Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is standard on the Discovery Sport, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40.

The Discovery Sport offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Discovery Sport has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the XC40.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Land Rover Discovery Sport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC40.