The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Discovery Sport doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Highlander are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Land Rover Discovery Sport doesn't offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Highlander has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Discovery Sport doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Highlander 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Discovery Sport has not been tested, yet.

Toyota's powertrain warranty covers the Highlander 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Land Rover covers the Discovery Sport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Discovery Sport ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota 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 almost 7 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Land Rover dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 28th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 147 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 29th.

The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 30 more horsepower (270 vs. 240) than the Discovery Sport's 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Highlander V6 is faster than the Land Rover Discovery Sport:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Discovery Sport requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander stops much shorter than the Discovery Sport:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the Discovery Sport (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander's wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Discovery Sport (109.8 inches vs. 107.9 inches).

The Highlander is 5.7 inches narrower than the Discovery Sport, making the Highlander easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Discovery Sport can only carry up to 7.

The Highlander has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Discovery Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander's middle and third row seats recline. The Discovery Sport's third row seats don't recline.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Discovery Sport.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander. The Discovery Sport doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Discovery Sport's rear cargo window doesn't open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Land Rover Discovery Sport is limited to 4409 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Highlander Limited offers an optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Discovery Sport doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Discovery Sport doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Highlander owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander will cost $1685 to $2420 less than the Discovery Sport over a five-year period.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the Highlander will retain 58.27% to 61.09% of its original price after five years, while the Discovery Sport only retains 45.85%.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $5826 to $15988 less than for the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Discovery Sport isn't in the top three.