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Fierce Defender: 2026 Land Rover Defender Octa Review
The 2026 Land Rover Defender Octa packs a BMW-sourced V-8 heart, giving this legendary off-roader an extraordinary level of speed. What does this 626-horsepower beast truly mean for discerning buyers navigating todayâs competitive luxury automotive market?
This powerhouse is more than just raw engine swapping. Land Roverâs Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), under the leadership of automotive veteran Jamal Hameediâknown for shaping Fordâs iconic GT and F-150 Raptorâengineered a comprehensive transformation. This isnât just about speed; itâs about controlled fury.
The Octa introduces a hydraulically linked suspension designed to virtually eliminate pitch and roll, allowing this imposing SUV to handle like a sports car. This technological prowess is complemented by aerodynamic fender flares that widen the vehicle by 2.7 inches, a quicker steering ratio for responsive cornering, extended suspension arms and links, high-performance front seats with aggressive bolstering, and substantial 33-inch tires, available in both all-terrain and all-season configurations. This rig sits 1.1 inches taller than the standard Defender, further enhancing its commanding stance.
Pricing and Competitive Landscape
This level of performance and luxury comes with a price tag of approximately $153,850. In the exclusive segment of ultra-luxury, aerodynamics-optional vehicles, the Octaâs primary competitor is the Mercedes-AMG G63, starting at a steep $196,900.
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HIGHS: Stonking V-8, surprisingly capable chassis, a value among its set.
Appearance and Road Presence
Visually, the Octa commands attention. Its design possesses a villainous gravitas that commands respect. The test model featured a stunning Petra Copper paint, protected by a $5,155 self-healing wrapâa practical investment for a vehicle designed to tackle rugged trails with confidence.
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view interior Photos
Michael Simari|Car and Driver
Handling and Suspension Dynamics
While hydraulics often provide a cloud-like ride, the Octa delivers only the latter benefit: flat cornering. The suspension is not jarring, but it constantly reminds occupants that they are piloting nearly three tons of metal and technology. Navigating back roads requires acclimation, as the vehicleâs intuitive handling defies its towering height. The skidpad result of 0.81 g doesnât do justice to the Octaâs real-world capabilities. It corners faster than intuition suggests, thanks to the anti-roll technology that keeps the chassis stable under pressure. The Octa essentially whispers, “Throw me into that corner, use all the grip,” and it confidently executes the command.
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LOWS: Its set starts at $150K, jarring ride, flirts with 6000 pounds.
Performance and Powertrain
The engine is the star of the show. This Defender is delightfully absurd in the best possible way. When you floor the accelerator at cruising speeds, the twin-turbo BMW V-8 produces so much torque that the vehicle squats down, its nose lifting heavenward. This kind of high-speed surge is something few competitors, even the AMG G63, can match.
VERDICT: Staring into space never felt so exciting.
Specifications
2025 Land Rover Defender Octa
Vehicle Type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $153,850/$160,230
Options: matte protective film, $5,155; tow hitch, $700; 22-inch wheels, $450; emergency pack, $75
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 268 inÂł, 4395 cmÂł
Power: 626 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented disc/14.4-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy All Season
275/50R-22 115W M+S LR
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 119.0 in
Length: 186.7 in
Width: 81.2 in
Height: 78.5 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 56/53 ftÂł
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 79/34 ftÂł
Curb Weight: 5,975 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.7 sec
100 mph: 9.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.2 sec @ 114 mph
130 mph: 16.8 sec
150 mph: 27.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5â60 mph: 4.8 sec
Top Gear, 30â50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top Gear, 50â70 mph: 3.0 sec
Top Speed (mfr claim): 155 mph
Braking, 70â0 mph: 169 ft
Braking, 100â0 mph: 338 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g
Interior Sound
Idle: 44 dBA/4 sone
Full Throttle: 84 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 68 dBA/23 sone
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 15 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 17/15/19 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
Headshot of K.C. Colwell
Reviewed byK.C. Colwell
Executive Editor
K.C. Colwell, the executive editor at Car and Driver, is a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for new cars and technology. His journey into the world of automotive journalism began at an early age when his grandmother gifted him a subscription to Car and Driver for his 10th birthday. This gift sparked a lifelong love for the industry, and he read every issue between then and his first day of employment. He started his Car and Driver career as a technical assistant in the fall of 2004. In 2007, he was promoted to assistant technical editor. In addition to testing, evaluating, and writing about cars, technology, and tires, K.C. also set the production-car lap record at Virginia International Raceway for C/D’s annual Lightning Lap track test and was just the sixth person to drive the Hendrick Motorsport Garage 56 Camaro. In 2017, he took over as testing director until 2022, when was promoted to executive editor and has led the brand to be one of the top automotive magazines in the country. When heâs not thinking about cars, he likes playing hockey in the winter and golf in the summer and doing his best to pass his good car sense and love of ’90s German sedans to his daughter. He might be the only Car and Driver editor to own a Bobcat: the skidsteer, not the feline. Though, if you have a bobcat guy, reach out. K.C. resides in Chelsea, Michigan, with his family.
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KIMNChicken
2w ago
Range Rovers are supposed to impress, thatâs the point. But with Defenders, the less you spend the more character you get. Iâm biased maybe, as I have a P300 Pangea green 2-door 90 base model with 18â steel wheels and no options. Itâs 4 seconds slower to 60 than this Octa and with non-adaptive susp…
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