2026 Land Rover Defender Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

2 days ago

Overview
Land Rover has a storied history as a rough-road adventure merchant, and the Defender preserves that legacy without sacrificing on-road civility. The boxy-chic all-arounder is offered in both two- and four-door body styles, three wheelbase lengths, and with a quartet of engine options ranging from a 296-hp turbocharged four-cylinder to a 626-hp twin-turbo V-8 in the Octa flagship. With plenty of serious off-road equipment, the Defender can hang with Jeep Wranglers on OHV trails, and its proper tarmac manners make it equally adept at comfortable grocery-getting. While many mid-size SUVs make you choose between go-anywhere capability and on-road sumptuousness, the Land Rover Defender is polite enough not to force a decision.
What's New for 2026?
Land Rover has only provided details about the newest Europe-market Defender so far, but if the U.S.-spec truck receives the same updates, it will look a bit different for the 2026 model year. Most models get new front and rear bumpers and a new textured pattern for the hood inserts and side vents. A standard gloss-black grille bar now occupies the space between the Defender's updated headlights. The taillights are now flush with the body instead of slightly concave. Two fresh exterior colors are on offer, including Borasco Silver and Woolstone Green, and there's a new 22-inch seven-spoke wheel design. A sparkly Sargasso Blue paint option and a Patagonia White Matte color wrap are also available for the OCTA. The updates in the Defender's cabin include a new 13.1-inch infotainment screen, a repositioned gear shifter, and a revised center console design. A new Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control system allows the Defender to automatically modulate throttle input over tough terrain, and a driver attention monitor gives an audible alert if the driver's gaze wanders from the road for too long. The Defender 130 can now be optioned with an integrated air compressor.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Land Rover Defender is expected to start around $60,000 and go up to $155,000 depending on the trim and options.
S
$60,000 (est)
110 S
$64,000 (est)
X-Dynamic SE
$72,000 (est)
130 S
$74,000 (est)
110 X-Dynamic SE
$75,000 (est)
130 X-Dynamic SE
$85,000 (est)
Sedona Red Edition
$87,000 (est)
Outbound
$89,000 (est)
X
$95,000 (est)
130 X
$104,000 (est)
V8
$113,000 (est)
110 V8
$117,000 (est)
130 V8
$122,000 (est)
OCTA
$155,000 (est)
We're intrigued by the new Octa trim but as the top-tier offering, its price bleeds into Range Rover territory—not to mention knocking on the door of several competing luxury SUVs. We think the Defender is best experienced with less pomp, and although the two-door 90 has undeniable charm, the 110 X-Dynamic SE hits the sweet spot between retro style, luxury, and raw capability. The X-Dynamic SE trim's features include 20-inch aluminum wheels, a Meridian stereo system, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, and a digital gauge display. Plus, Land Rover offers an extensive list of options and add-ons, including several specially-themed accessory packages, so it's easy to outfit even the base Defender models to taste.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The standard Defender powertrain consists of a 296-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Naturally, four-wheel drive and locking differentials are standard across the lineup. There's also an available 395-hp 3.0-liter inline-six which utilizes an electric supercharger, a turbocharger, and a 48-volt hybrid system. If you deem additional speed necessary, the available 518-hp supercharged V-8 is your ticket; we tested a Defender 90 with the V-8 and it hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Sitting atop powertrain mountain is the twin-turbo V-8 in the 626-hp Octa flagship. We drove the Octa in South Africa and came away impressed with its acceleration and ability to tackle many different terrains without compromising on-road comfort. Notably, the current Defender is built on a unibody platform rather than the OG's body-on-frame construction and rides on a fully independent suspension in place of solid axles. Coil springs are standard, but an air suspension that enables adjustable ride height is available. The new Octa trim utilizes the maker's '6D Dynamics' hydraulically linked damper setup that eliminates the need for traditional anti-roll bars. The Defender has 11.5 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford through 35 inches of water, which exceeds both the Jeep Wrangler's maximum clearance and its wading ability.
0–60-MPH Times
The long-wheelbase 130 Outbound we tested with the 395-hp inline-six powertrain ran to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. We tested a Defender 90 with the 518-hp supercharged V-8 that vaulted to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. We expect the Defender Octa to be even quicker thanks to its more powerful twin-turbo V-8, and we estimate it will reach 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds.
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Land Rover
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy estimates for the 2026 Defender yet, but without any significant changes to its powertrain, it should earn similar marks as last year's model. The 2025 90 model with the four-cylinder received ratings of 18 mpg city and 21 highway. With the six-cylinder engine, the 90's city rating dropped to 17 mpg but the highway rating improved to 23. The 110 model with the six-cylinder engine received the same estimates as the six-cylinder 90, but the long-wheelbase 130 was rated for 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with the six-cylinder. The V-8 variant of the 110 was rated for 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway; the 90 with the V-8 was good for 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, a Defender 110X with the optional six-cylinder powertrain delivered a disappointing 18 mpg; the 130 Outbound managed only 19 mpg in the same test. We'll update this section with fresh EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2026 model once they have been released. For more information about the Defender's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Defender's cabin walks the line between premium and utilitarian, with just enough design cues from the rest of the Land Rover lineup to make those familiar with the brand feel at home. Exposed rivets in the door panels add a rugged appearance, and a magnesium beam that runs the full width of the dashboard isn't entirely cosmetic—it's also structural. Under the new 13.1-inch infotainment display, a trapezoidal extension of the dashboard provides a place for buttons and switches for the climate-control system and driving mode. The shift lever and ignition switch are also mounted on this center stack rather than the center console. In some models, the center console can be flipped back to create a jump seat between the driver and passenger, similar to a three-across bench in some full-size pickup trucks. Cargo space behind the rear seat in 90 and 110 models is limited but on par with rival off-roaders such as the Wrangler; the rear seats can be folded to open up a much larger cargo bay but those seeking to haul people and gear may want to look at the larger Land Rover Discovery or invest in a roof-top cargo carrier. The longer 130 model offers additional cargo space with the third row stowed, but with it in use, there's not much room for gear. If you don't plan to use the third row, consider the 130 Outbound instead, which scraps the rearmost seat entirely to prioritize cargo space.
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Land Rover
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Defender's dashboard sports a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs Land Rover's Pivi Pro interface. Compared to the rest of the Land Rover lineup's Touch Pro Duo interface, the Defender's system relies on a single touchscreen instead of two, offers quicker response times, and can handle over-the-air software updates for future releases. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is an in-dash navigation system, a six-speaker stereo, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Both 10- and 14-speaker Meridian stereo systems are optional, and buyers of higher-end Defenders receive a digital gauge cluster and a head-up display.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Among the slew of available driver-assistance technology, the Rover has several unique systems tailored for off-roading and towing. For more information about the Defender's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Like its stablemates, the Defender comes with a standard warranty package that spans four years or 50,000 miles. The Lexus GX, a similarly posh off-roader, offers more value here in the form of a six-year powertrain warranty and a year of complimentary maintenance.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2025 Land Rover Defender 110 Octa
Vehicle Type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: Octa, $153,625; Octa Edition One, $169,425
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 268 in3, 4395 cm3
Power: 626 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 119.0 in
Length: 186.7–196.9 in
Width: 82.9 in
Height: 78.5 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 56/53 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 79/34 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 5900 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.9 sec
100 mph: 10.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.6 sec
Top Speed: 100–155 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 17/15/19 mpg
2024 Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound
Vehicle Type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $85,975/$94,738
ENGINE
supercharged, turbocharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2996 cm3
Power: 395 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.3-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Territory Duratrac
255/60R-20 113O LR POR M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 119.0 in
Length: 211.7 in
Width: 79.1 in
Height: 77.6 in
Cargo Volume, behind F/R: 76/36 ft3
Curb Weight: 5901 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6 sec @ 95 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.5 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 100 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 183 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.77 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 15 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 19 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 450 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 17/16/18 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
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