Tested: We Really Want to Love the 2025 Range Rover Sport SV, But...
All in, this Rover is an eye-watering $204,875. That's nearly three times as much as a standard Range Rover Sport. High-performance V8s just don't come cheap in 2025.
Despite being so pricey and having so much claimed grunt, the Sport SV doesn't always feel as potent as you'd expect. What drive mode you're in has never made more of a difference. Whether you're in Normal or even Dynamic, the SV feels like a regular Range Rover Sport that just so happens to have a V8. It isn't particularly raucous, the gear shifts are slurred for the sake of smoothness, and the throttle pedal is long, meaning you really have to dig in to gain any appreciable speed.
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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model originally appeared on Autoblog. Land Rover now sells more Defenders in a month than it used to sell in a year. By a wide margin, the Defender has become JLR's best-selling model, with over 115,000 units sold globally in 2024. In the first six months of 2025 alone, another 60,000 found homes around the world, putting it on track to beat the prior year's record. For comparison, the next best-selling JLR models were the Range Rover Sport (≈79,862 units in 2024, +19.7%) and the full-size Range Rover (≈76,715 units, +8.9%) – both impressive, yet still trailing the Defender's volume. What's even more remarkable is the sustained sales strength year-on-year that the new Defender has enjoyed. Product lifecycles typically follow a surge after launch and then taper off, but Land Rover's reinvented icon isn't just selling well – it's redefining what sustained automotive success looks like in the modern era. In fact, Defender sales hit an all-time high in their fourth year – the highest in the model's 76-year history – defying the usual mid-life slump that most vehicles experience. Despite a few naysayers when the new Defender was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, what Land Rover introduced nearly six years ago has proven to be an incredible hit. Traditionalists and purists initially grumbled with terms like "Land Rover 'Offender'" thrown around by those who lamented the departure from the old no-frills formula. Yet time has vindicated Land Rover's bold redesign. The new Defender has become a runaway sales success, winning over both longtime loyalists and a whole new generation of buyers. Before sampling the newly launched Defender Octa and the latest Defender Trophy Edition at an off-road event ahead of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, we sat down with JLR executives to understand the factors that have made the new Defender so popular. From 'M' Shape to Ski Jump: Breaking the Traditional Sales Curve In the car industry, most models enjoy a strong launch and early peak, then see declining sales by year 3 or 4 before a mid-cycle refresh gives a temporary bump – a pattern often visualized as a two-humped curve. But the Defender has broken this "M-shaped" sales curve. "Instead of this M-shape," explained Andy Hunt Cooke, Global Head of Communications for Defender, "our sales curve is actually more like a ski jump." In other words, Defender sales climbed early on and then kept climbing. Land Rover has managed to keep the Defender fresh with every model year, continually improving what works. The strategy is essentially to take "the recipe that people really like already, and just make it slightly better" each year rather than letting the product go stale. Sales data backs this up: even in its fourth year on sale, the Defender set a new annual sales record, building on its already impressive performance. This is unheard of in an industry where year-four is typically when a vehicle starts losing steam. JLR attributes this to tactical updates and expanded offerings that have kept consumer demand high. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The new Defender's appeal also transcends traditional SUV boundaries, drawing in a surprisingly broad customer base. The two-door Defender 90 has attracted buyers who previously drove sports cars – they see the short-wheelbase Defender as a fun, characterful alternative – whereas the three-row Defender 130 is finding favor with multi-child family households, especially in the U.S. This broad appeal has enabled Defender to conquest buyers across the automotive spectrum while also bringing back Land Rover loyalists who had long awaited a worthy successor to the original Defender. Crucially, the Defender's success hasn't cannibalized its Range Rover siblings. On the contrary, Range Rover sales have remained robust (even growing nearly 9% last year) alongside Defender's rise. In other words, Defender is expanding JLR's total customer pool, not merely shuffling it. The Customer-Centric Philosophy At the heart of Defender's success lies an obsessive focus on customer feedback. As Jessica Martin, Global Product Manager for Defender, explained, "We spend so much time assessing what customers say, what they feed back to us. We've got different mechanisms – whether that's through focus groups, specific insight programs, retail feedback or surveys. We're constantly using that to optimize and move forward." Rather than waiting four or five years for a big facelift, the Defender team makes incremental upgrades every year based on real-world input. "We know customers love what we already do, which is why we're gently iterating it year on year," Martin noted. This strategy has created an unprecedented loyalty loop – owners see that Land Rover keeps improving the Defender, giving them little reason to switch to another brand. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article For example, the upcoming 2026 model year (MY) Defender brings a host of thoughtful enhancements. Powertrain options are upgraded; notably, a new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 (dubbed the P425) joins the 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 in the 90 and 110, boosting output from about 400 to 421 horsepower for more "pulling power." The Defender's signature lighting is refreshed with crisp new LED headlight graphics and flush-fitting rear lamps with smoked lenses, giving a modern twist to its timeless look. Every Defender now gets a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen (up from 10–11.4 inches before) and a revised center console for a more upscale, user-friendly cabin. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article There is also new tech like adaptive off-road cruise control, which we tested around a rocky quarry that allows the Defender to automatically crawl at a set speed over rough terrain. Land Rover even responded to enthusiast requests by introducing larger accessory white steel wheels to fit models with big brake packages – fixing a long-standing annoyance that the previous wheel options posed for some owners. Other MY2026 tweaks include new exterior colors (e.g. Borasco Grey, Keswick Green) and additional accessories like an integrated air compressor and new roof racks. All these changes are relatively small in isolation, but together they keep the Defender feeling fresh and finely tuned to customer desires. This "evergreen" product strategy has paid off in loyalty. Defender owners are seeing meaningful improvements each year – more power, more tech, more personalization – without losing the core character they love. The result is that many are sticking with the model, upgrading to newer versions or special editions rather than drifting to competitors. Special Editions Drive Excitement The release of new special editions has further boosted the Defender's appeal. Take the recently introduced Defender Trophy Edition and the range-topping Defender Octa. The Trophy Edition, inspired by the legendary Camel Trophy off-road expeditions, sports a nostalgic Sandglow Yellow paint and a bundle of expedition accessories (roof rack, snorkel, skid plates, winch, etc.) for a factory-built adventure look. Meanwhile, the Defender Octa serves as the halo model for the lineup. It's an exceptionally capable, high-performance Defender packing a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 626 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque, plus advanced suspension and chassis upgrades. The Octa (and the stealthy new Octa Black Edition) can sprint 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds, supercar territory – all while remaining an immensely capable 4x4. By pushing the envelope, the Octa keeps the Defender in the spotlight and attracts attention from both hardcore off-roaders and luxury SUV buyers alike. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Defender's success extends beyond showrooms through savvy marketing partnerships, notably its sponsorship of the Oasis "Live '25" reunion tour. This alignment reinforces Defender's image as adventurous, culturally relevant, and quintessentially British, resonating strongly with fans and keeping the model highly visible internationally. The Future of Automotive Success The Defender's recent sales trajectory provides insights into shifting automotive industry dynamics. Traditional product cycles, defined by early peaks and mid-cycle refreshes, might be evolving as continuous innovation and incremental improvements become increasingly important to maintaining consumer interest. This philosophy extends to future decisions as well. The next update for the US market could come in the form of a plug-in hybrid currently offered in other markets – but only if American buyers show genuine interest. Land Rover's willingness to adapt based on demand exemplifies the approach that has made the Defender a phenomenon. By creating a vehicle that gets stronger with age, Land Rover has proven that the old rules of automotive success may be due for their own revolution. As the Defender continues its ski jump trajectory, it's rewriting what sustained success looks like in the modern era. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model originally appeared on Autoblog. Land Rover now sells more Defenders in a month than it used to sell in a year. By a wide margin, the Defender has become JLR's best-selling model, with over 115,000 units sold globally in 2024. In the first six months of 2025 alone, another 60,000 found homes around the world, putting it on track to beat the prior year's record. For comparison, the next best-selling JLR models were the Range Rover Sport (≈79,862 units in 2024, +19.7%) and the full-size Range Rover (≈76,715 units, +8.9%) – both impressive, yet still trailing the Defender's volume. What's even more remarkable is the sustained sales strength year-on-year that the new Defender has enjoyed. Product lifecycles typically follow a surge after launch and then taper off, but Land Rover's reinvented icon isn't just selling well – it's redefining what sustained automotive success looks like in the modern era. In fact, Defender sales hit an all-time high in their fourth year – the highest in the model's 76-year history – defying the usual mid-life slump that most vehicles experience. Despite a few naysayers when the new Defender was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, what Land Rover introduced nearly six years ago has proven to be an incredible hit. Traditionalists and purists initially grumbled with terms like "Land Rover 'Offender'" thrown around by those who lamented the departure from the old no-frills formula. Yet time has vindicated Land Rover's bold redesign. The new Defender has become a runaway sales success, winning over both longtime loyalists and a whole new generation of buyers. Before sampling the newly launched Defender Octa and the latest Defender Trophy Edition at an off-road event ahead of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, we sat down with JLR executives to understand the factors that have made the new Defender so popular. From 'M' Shape to Ski Jump: Breaking the Traditional Sales Curve In the car industry, most models enjoy a strong launch and early peak, then see declining sales by year 3 or 4 before a mid-cycle refresh gives a temporary bump – a pattern often visualized as a two-humped curve. But the Defender has broken this "M-shaped" sales curve. "Instead of this M-shape," explained Andy Hunt Cooke, Global Head of Communications for Defender, "our sales curve is actually more like a ski jump." In other words, Defender sales climbed early on and then kept climbing. Land Rover has managed to keep the Defender fresh with every model year, continually improving what works. The strategy is essentially to take "the recipe that people really like already, and just make it slightly better" each year rather than letting the product go stale. Sales data backs this up: even in its fourth year on sale, the Defender set a new annual sales record, building on its already impressive performance. This is unheard of in an industry where year-four is typically when a vehicle starts losing steam. JLR attributes this to tactical updates and expanded offerings that have kept consumer demand high. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The new Defender's appeal also transcends traditional SUV boundaries, drawing in a surprisingly broad customer base. The two-door Defender 90 has attracted buyers who previously drove sports cars – they see the short-wheelbase Defender as a fun, characterful alternative – whereas the three-row Defender 130 is finding favor with multi-child family households, especially in the U.S. This broad appeal has enabled Defender to conquest buyers across the automotive spectrum while also bringing back Land Rover loyalists who had long awaited a worthy successor to the original Defender. Crucially, the Defender's success hasn't cannibalized its Range Rover siblings. On the contrary, Range Rover sales have remained robust (even growing nearly 9% last year) alongside Defender's rise. In other words, Defender is expanding JLR's total customer pool, not merely shuffling it. The Customer-Centric Philosophy At the heart of Defender's success lies an obsessive focus on customer feedback. As Jessica Martin, Global Product Manager for Defender, explained, "We spend so much time assessing what customers say, what they feed back to us. We've got different mechanisms – whether that's through focus groups, specific insight programs, retail feedback or surveys. We're constantly using that to optimize and move forward." Rather than waiting four or five years for a big facelift, the Defender team makes incremental upgrades every year based on real-world input. "We know customers love what we already do, which is why we're gently iterating it year on year," Martin noted. This strategy has created an unprecedented loyalty loop – owners see that Land Rover keeps improving the Defender, giving them little reason to switch to another brand. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article For example, the upcoming 2026 model year (MY) Defender brings a host of thoughtful enhancements. Powertrain options are upgraded; notably, a new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 (dubbed the P425) joins the 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 in the 90 and 110, boosting output from about 400 to 421 horsepower for more "pulling power." The Defender's signature lighting is refreshed with crisp new LED headlight graphics and flush-fitting rear lamps with smoked lenses, giving a modern twist to its timeless look. Every Defender now gets a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen (up from 10–11.4 inches before) and a revised center console for a more upscale, user-friendly cabin. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article There is also new tech like adaptive off-road cruise control, which we tested around a rocky quarry that allows the Defender to automatically crawl at a set speed over rough terrain. Land Rover even responded to enthusiast requests by introducing larger accessory white steel wheels to fit models with big brake packages – fixing a long-standing annoyance that the previous wheel options posed for some owners. Other MY2026 tweaks include new exterior colors (e.g. Borasco Grey, Keswick Green) and additional accessories like an integrated air compressor and new roof racks. All these changes are relatively small in isolation, but together they keep the Defender feeling fresh and finely tuned to customer desires. This "evergreen" product strategy has paid off in loyalty. Defender owners are seeing meaningful improvements each year – more power, more tech, more personalization – without losing the core character they love. The result is that many are sticking with the model, upgrading to newer versions or special editions rather than drifting to competitors. Special Editions Drive Excitement The release of new special editions has further boosted the Defender's appeal. Take the recently introduced Defender Trophy Edition and the range-topping Defender Octa. The Trophy Edition, inspired by the legendary Camel Trophy off-road expeditions, sports a nostalgic Sandglow Yellow paint and a bundle of expedition accessories (roof rack, snorkel, skid plates, winch, etc.) for a factory-built adventure look. Meanwhile, the Defender Octa serves as the halo model for the lineup. It's an exceptionally capable, high-performance Defender packing a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 626 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque, plus advanced suspension and chassis upgrades. The Octa (and the stealthy new Octa Black Edition) can sprint 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds, supercar territory – all while remaining an immensely capable 4x4. By pushing the envelope, the Octa keeps the Defender in the spotlight and attracts attention from both hardcore off-roaders and luxury SUV buyers alike. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Defender's success extends beyond showrooms through savvy marketing partnerships, notably its sponsorship of the Oasis "Live '25" reunion tour. This alignment reinforces Defender's image as adventurous, culturally relevant, and quintessentially British, resonating strongly with fans and keeping the model highly visible internationally. The Future of Automotive Success The Defender's recent sales trajectory provides insights into shifting automotive industry dynamics. Traditional product cycles, defined by early peaks and mid-cycle refreshes, might be evolving as continuous innovation and incremental improvements become increasingly important to maintaining consumer interest. This philosophy extends to future decisions as well. The next update for the US market could come in the form of a plug-in hybrid currently offered in other markets – but only if American buyers show genuine interest. Land Rover's willingness to adapt based on demand exemplifies the approach that has made the Defender a phenomenon. By creating a vehicle that gets stronger with age, Land Rover has proven that the old rules of automotive success may be due for their own revolution. As the Defender continues its ski jump trajectory, it's rewriting what sustained success looks like in the modern era. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Car and Driver
2 days ago
- Car and Driver
Both Land Rover Defender 90 and Lexus LC500 Go V-8-Only for 2026
The 2026 Land Rover Defender 90 will only be offered with the 518-hp V-8 engine. This raises the two-door Defender's base price from $58,750 last year to $116,250 for 2026. Similarly, Lexus's beautiful coupe is now only sold as the V-8-powered LC500 for 2026, with the slow-selling LC500h V-6 hybrid no longer available. Despite an influx of electric and hybrid offerings, the V-8 engine isn't dead just yet. In fact, for two vehicles, the V-8 powertrain is the only one to survive for the 2026 model year. The two-door Land Rover Defender 90 drops both its four-cylinder and six-cylinder setups, entering 2026 exclusively with a supercharged V-8. Similarly, Lexus is ditching the hybrid V-6 found in the LC500h, leaving the LC500's 5.0-liter V-8 as the sole engine choice in Lexus's elegant GT car for 2026. Two Doors and Plenty of Power The Defender 90 had previously been offered with three powertrains, starting with the 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the base S trim. The X-Dynamic SE trim brought a 395-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that was augmented by an electric supercharger and a 48-volt hybrid system. The Defender 90 V8 served as the two-door range-topper, but it now represents the only way to get the stubbier 90 model for 2026, a Land Rover spokesperson confirmed to Car and Driver. Land Rover This move significantly raises the base price for the Defender 90. Previously, pricing began at $58,750 for the S trim, with the X-Dynamic SE ringing in at $70,350. Now, getting into a Defender 90 will require quite a bit more coin, with the V8 model starting at $116,250 for the 2026 model year. That's $57,500 more than last year's base price, meaning the entry cost for a two-door Defender is now almost double the amount needed to buy a 2025 Defender 90 S. Along with reworking the Defender 90's lineup, Land Rover also gave its boxy off-roader some upgrades for 2026. The most notable visual change is in the headlights, where the two LED tabs in the top outside corner are now filled in instead of an outline. Inside, all Defenders now feature a 13.1-inch touchscreen. Goodbye, Hybrid Meanwhile, over at Lexus, the brand's beautiful coupe and convertible carry over for 2026 with minimal changes, except that you can now only buy the LC with the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8. The LC500h, which had a 354-hp hybrid setup that paired a 3.5-liter V-6 with two electric motors, is no more, a Lexus spokesperson confirmed. Lexus Most shoppers won't notice, however, as the LC500h has been a blip on the radar. In 2024, Lexus sold just 18 LC hybrids, compared to 1446 LC500s with a V-8 engine. That skewed ratio wasn't a one-off, with only 37 hybrids finding homes in 2023, versus 1724 V-8 models. The LC500h totaled 19 sales in 2022, 14 in 2021, 14 in 2020, and 37 in 2019. Other than discontinuing the LC500h, it's business as usual for the LC500. There's a new iteration of the Inspiration Series for the 2026 coupe, limited to 200 units and sporting a new color (Smoke Matte Gray) paired with a black-and-white interior. The 2026 LC500 convertible gets its own Inspiration Series, capped at 350 units and featuring a new color called Wind with Saddle Tan and white seats. The 2026 LC500 coupe starts at $101,700, while the convertible will require $109,200. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
