On the earth of luxurious there are two identified truths: you possibly can’t purchase heritage, and you may’t purchase model credibility.
Each attributes include time and consistency. It’s a lot the identical within the high-end of the automotive world, the place it’s as a lot about being a part of that model’s story because the product itself. It’s what the automobile says about you, moderately than what it will possibly do.
Take the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, an icon of the instances that has earnt its place in historical past, beginning out as a want from the Shah of Iran to the modern-day alternative of those who want to make a press release.
It’s nearly inconceivable for a brand new model to create something just like the G-Class. It will want many years of heritage and historical past, and it could want an unshakeable popularity for its off-road credentials and toughness. So it may solely actually be a Defender. In actual fact, now that it has occurred, it’s loopy to suppose how lengthy it took Land Rover to create a real G-Wagen competitor, however it’s lastly right here.
In fact, the oldsters at Land Rover say the brand new Defender OCTA shouldn’t be a G-Wagen competitor (as a result of – they declare – it’s simply a lot extra succesful), however given it’s just about priced bang on G63 cash, comes with a twin-turbo V8, and may take your youngsters to high school or climb a mountain, the product temporary is close to an identical.
However is it any good? We flew to England to check the brand new Land Rover Defender OCTA on some ridiculous off-road programs and spend time driving it within the British countryside.
First issues first. The Defender OCTA (a reputation impressed by the octahedral form of a diamond) seems to be robust as hell. Sitting on 33-inch all-terrain tyres, the physique will get a brand new grille design, a brand new rear bumper with quad exhaust retailers, underbody safety, and uncovered Phosphor Bronze-finished entrance and rear restoration factors.
It doesn’t quiet have the identical imposing stance as a G63 and the very fact there are considerably ‘lesser’ Defender variants within the vary does carry into query whether or not the OCTA can stretch the model that top (in contrast to the G63, which is an immediate object of want), however to date sturdy demand for the OCTA suggests it can discover its viewers.
The OCTA sits 28mm increased and has a 68mm wider stance than the usual Defender, making it stand out in comparison with the bottom SUV. Off-road upgrades additionally embrace distinctive lively dampers, the quickest steering ratio of any Defender so far, and OCTA Mode – a performance-focused off-road setting with specially-honed anti-lock braking and launch management calibration. Sure, a Land Rover Defender with launch management.
The oldsters at Land Rover got down to make the Defender OCTA mix excessive off-road functionality with real on-road efficiency. That is traditionally the area of the G-Wagen however after just a few hours with the automobile we really feel the Defender OCTA shouldn’t be solely extra succesful off-road, but in addition on-road.
How a lot does the Land Rover Defender price?
For the MY26 mannequin yr, the Defender P635 OCTA is available in at $304,500 earlier than on-road prices or any choices.
2025 Defender 90
| Mannequin | Worth |
|---|---|
| Defender 90 D250 S | $92,402 |
| Defender 90 P400 X | $155,949 |
| Defender 90 P525 V8 | $192,373 |
2025 Defender 110
| Mannequin | Worth |
|---|---|
| Defender 110 P400 S | $94,992 |
| Defender 110 D250 Arduous Prime S | $106,232 |
| Defender 110 D350 X-Dynamic SE | $109,880 |
| Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE | $115,250 |
| Defender 110 D350 X-Dynamic HSE | $125,125 |
| Defender 110 P400e X-Dynamic SE | $126,800 |
| Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic HSE | $129,900 |
| Defender 110 D350 Sedona Version | $135,791 |
| Defender 110 P400e X-Dynamic HSE | $138,705 |
| Defender 110 D350 X | $158,627 |
| Defender 110 P400 X | $159,945 |
| Defender 110 P525 V8 | $199,999 |
| Defender P635 OCTA (MY26) | $304,500 |
2025 Defender 130
| Mannequin | Worth |
|---|---|
| Defender 130 D350 X-Dynamic SE | $130,450 |
| Defender 130 P400 X-Dynamic SE | $134,556 |
| Defender 130 P400 Outbound | $136,647 |
| Defender 130 P500 V8 | $217,282 |
It is a important $177,400 costlier than the most cost effective new MY26 Defender P425 X (Dynamic SE $127,100), which now makes use of the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 that all of us love. Primarily you should purchase two Defenders with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 as a substitute of an OCTA and nonetheless have change left over.
To see how the Land Rover Defender strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument
What’s the Land Rover Defender like on the within?
As with all 2026 Defender fashions, the OCTA now has a bigger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, up from 11.4 inches, whereas the dash-mounted shifter has been repositioned.
As well as, a revised centre console incorporates a sliding part that means that you can conceal small objects in a closed cubby, whereas detachable facet pockets can be found. You may have your OCTA’s inside in leather-based or cloth, with Burnt Sienna leather-based fitted as customary. An Ebony leather-based inside can also be out there, as are Mild Cloud and Lunar cloth choices.
It’s a pleasant place to take a seat however the substantial worth improve over the usual Defender variants shouldn’t be felt on the within as a lot as one may hope.
We discovered the sound system and normal cabin ergonomics to be splendid and utilizing the display screen within the automobile to navigate the completely different drive modes to be a breeze (even when we would favor a bodily button for among the controls). The OCTA button on the steering wheel is a pleasant contact and could be very a lot borrowed from the Vary Rover Sport SV. Press it and issues begin to get severe.
The media controls are easy to study and navigate, which is helped by the crisp and responsive new touchscreen. Additionally value noting is that Land Rover has no situation offering the pilot a complete plethora of knowledge – together with off-road cameras for beneath the automobile, whether or not the centre or rear differential is locked, how a lot load is on every airbag and shock absorber, and different stuff like automobile dimensions.
The same old stuff like wi-fi smartphone mirroring know-how (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) labored fairly effectively throughout our time with the automobile.
There is no such thing as a noticeable compromise in going for an OCTA over an ordinary Defender by way of area and practicality. One factor that impacts all Defender (and G-Wagen) fashions is the side-swinging tailgate, which is heavy to function and albeit a little bit annoying at instances.
We all know the British love their subtlety however it could be good if there was some extra uniqueness to the OCTA’s inside, to offer it that tremendous premium really feel the worth tag calls for. Nonetheless, it’s simply as good a spot to take a seat as a G-Wagen, with arguably extra usable tech and a greater infotainment system.
| Dimensions | Land Rover Defender OCTA |
|---|---|
| Size | 4813-5003mm (with spare wheel) |
| Width | 2105mm (together with mirrors) |
| Top | 1995mm |
| Wheelbase | 3023mm |
| Cargo capability | 972-2277L |
To see how the Land Rover Defender strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument
What’s beneath the bonnet?
As a way to actually compete with the G-Wagen and change into the efficiency powerhouse within the Defender vary, the OCTA couldn’t make use of the corporate’s ageing 5.0-litre supercharged V8, however has as a substitute gone with a BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with a 48V mild-hybrid help.
| Specs | Land Rover Defender OCTA |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.4L twin-turbo MHEV V8 |
| Energy | 467kW |
| Torque | 750Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed computerized |
| Drive sort | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | TBC |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 4.0 seconds |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 13.1L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 90L |
| Gasoline requirement | 98-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 298g/km |
| Braked tow capability | 3500kg |
Mated to an eight-speed computerized transmission with high- and low-range gearing, the BMW M5-sourced engine – which additionally powers the Vary Rover Sport SV – produces 467kW of energy and 750Nm of torque.
This makes the OCTA probably the most highly effective Defender ever, in addition to the fastest-accelerating, finishing the 0-100km/h dash in slightly below 4.0 seconds (claimed).
The truth that the British model now gives the unique supercharged V8 within the Defender makes this BMW engine appear overly extreme for the worth differential, nevertheless it’s definitely a much more trendy and efficiency oriented powertrain than something ever supplied within the Defender vary.
To see how the Land Rover Defender strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument
How does the Land Rover Defender drive?
The Land Rover Defender OCTA sits in a novel place the place it’s as fast as extra trendy devoted sports activities vehicles, but it will possibly additionally get severe off-road.
We acquired to expertise the OCTA carry out some extremely difficult off-road programs, the place it proved itself extra succesful than the usual Defender (though the additional width may get you caught on narrower trails). Then we carried out a high-speed soar over a ramp as a part of a devoted rally monitor, and if that wasn’t spectacular sufficient we additionally drove it on the highway at full tempo.
In each a type of duties the Land Rover Defender OCTA exceeded our expectations. Its off-road credentials don’t want any validation – it’s a Defender in spite of everything – nevertheless it was the on-road driving that actually impressed us.
It is a a lot nicer automobile to drive at pace than a G63 AMG. It sits nicer on the highway, doesn’t really feel as agricultural and positively corners higher. Having mentioned all that, it has nearly no exhaust noise. Trendy-day European emissions and noise laws have made this high-performance engine moderately silent.
In the event you love your indignant V8 sound – and you would need to with the intention to spend this a lot on a Defender – we advise a visit to an aftermarket provider to take away the petrol particulate filters and exchange the exhaust with one thing that brings the automobile to life. As a result of it wants it.
Behind the wheel and across the countryside close to Goodwood, we discovered the Defender OCTA to be comfy and relaxed in customary mode, earlier than getting low and attentive to all inputs when OCTA mode was chosen.
In the end, it’s not the kind of automobile you’d get pleasure from driving at pace round twisty mountain roads for those who didn’t must, however with the correct tyres and in the correct setting it may be a fairly fulfilling expertise and positively extra surefooted than its Mercedes-AMG competitor.
| Off-road dimensions | Land Rover Defender OCTA |
|---|---|
| Observe entrance and rear | 1772mm entrance, 1768mm rear |
| Floor clearance | 323mm |
| Strategy angle | 40.2 levels |
| Departure angle | 42.8 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 29 levels |
| Wading depth | 1000mm |
To see how the Land Rover Defender strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
The Defender OCTA good points a complete set of upgrades, in and out.
2026 Land Rover Defender OCTA gear highlights:
- 6D Dynamics air suspension
- Sooner steering ratio
- Launch management
- 33-inch all-terrain tyres
- Distinctive rear bumper
- Quad exhaust retailers
- Underbody safety
- Burnt Sienna leather-based upholstery
- Entrance efficiency seats with ‘immersive’ audio
To see how the Land Rover Defender strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument
Is the Land Rover Defender protected?
The Land Rover Defender 110 scored a five-star security score based mostly on testing in 2020 by Euro NCAP, though that score doesn’t apply to V8 petrol variants, presumably together with the brand new OCTA.
Normal security gear contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise management
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Encompass-view digital camera system
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- Protected exit alert
- Visitors signal recognition
There’s a useful system to reduce the sensitivity of the protection options shortly and simply – simply push a button on the steering wheel and you may set the protection methods to have reasonable or minimal intervention.
Twin frontal, entrance facet, and facet curtain airbags for all three rows are customary too.
To see how the Land Rover Defender strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Land Rover Defender price to run?
There’s a five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee, which you may discover to be an necessary consideration for the Defender because the reliability report for this automobile has been questionable. In actual fact, for those who do intend to maintain it longer, prolonged guarantee choices ought to completely be thought-about.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Land Rover Defender OCTA |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service interval | 1 yr or 26,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Common annual service price | $960 |
| Whole capped-price service price | $4800 |
There’s additionally 5 years of roadside help as a part of that guarantee cowl, which we hope you received’t ever want to make use of.
To see how the Land Rover Defender strains up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Land Rover Defender OCTA
Chances are high for those who can afford a Defender OCTA and had needed a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen you’d have already purchased one by now. In actual fact, you may already personal one and are considering of one thing a little bit completely different, maybe with much less undesired social connotations.
Irrespective of the way you attempt to have a look at it, that is probably the most succesful Defender ever and it must be for the worth. It’s quick, it’s succesful and it will possibly go nearly wherever inside motive.
That is what you purchase if you need the perfect Defender within the vary however, as we mentioned earlier, nearly as good as it’s it makes the supercharged V8 Defender P425 look like an absolute discount.
Occupied with shopping for a Land Rover Defender? Let CarExpert discover you the perfect deal right here
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