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The 2026 Land Rover Defender Octa: Extreme Performance in a Classic Frame
A V-8 engine sourced from BMW pushes the venerable Defender to the limit in a bold new interpretation of the iconic off-roader.
Published: April 4, 2026
Reviewed by: K.C. Colwell, Executive Editor
2025 Land Rover Defender Octa – Exterior Views
Michael Simari | Car and Driver
From the May/June 2026 issue of Car and Driver.
True speed isn’t just about adding horsepower; it’s about integration, balance, and technology. Land Rover has taken this mantra to heart with its newest creation, the Defender Octa. This isn’t just a faster Defender; it’s a fundamental rethinking of what this legendary vehicle can be, pushing the boundaries of luxury, performance, and engineering.
The power comes courtesy of a BMW-sourced twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine, churning out 626 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Under the guidance of Jamal Hameedi—a name synonymous with automotive performance from his time engineering the Ford GT and F-150 Raptor—Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has engineered a comprehensive transformation. The Octa features a hydraulically linked suspension designed to combat body roll and pitch, flared fenders that expand the width by 2.7 inches, a quicker steering rack, extended suspension arms and links, deeply bolstered front seats, and 33-inch tires available in both all-terrain and all-season options. The vehicle sits 1.1 inches higher than the standard model.
View Exterior Photos
Michael Simari | Car and Driver
All of this technology and raw power come at a price. At a base price of $153,850, the Octa sits at the pinnacle of the ultra-luxury performance segment. Its only direct competitor in this niche—where aerodynamic considerations are secondary to sheer presence—is the $196,900 Mercedes-AMG G63.
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HIGHS: Blistering V-8 power, surprisingly agile chassis, and incredible value within its elite class.
The Defender Octa undoubtedly embodies the visual gravitas of a villainous protagonist—the kind you root for in the sequel. The test car’s Petra Copper paint is achieved through a $5,155 self-healing wrap, likely a wise investment given the width of this trail-ready machine.
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Michael Simari | Car and Driver
Hydraulic suspensions are typically known for providing a silky ride and flattening corners, but the Octa delivers on the latter with remarkable prowess. While the ride isn’t harsh, it can be jarring, as the springs bear the weight of nearly three tons. Navigating back roads requires some adjustment because intuition tells you something this tall shouldn’t corner with such precision. The 0.81-g skidpad result doesn’t fully capture the Octa’s capability when pushed; it handles curves far better than expected once you trust the anti-roll technology to keep it stable. In essence, the Octa challenges the driver to explore its limits, whispering, “Go ahead, throw me into that corner, use all the grip… then put your foot down.” And when you do, prepare for the reaction.
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LOWS: Starting around $150K, a jarring ride, and a curb weight nearing 6,000 pounds.
The BMW V-8 engine propels this British machine with ferocious speed. While the Octa matches the G63 in its 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, it surpasses the AMG in the quarter-mile, clocking in at 12.2 seconds, a tenth of a second quicker than the G63. It also crosses the 130 mph mark nearly two seconds faster. Perhaps those aerodynamics aren’t so bad after all.
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Michael Simari | Car and Driver
This Defender is largely a celebration of joyous absurdity. Floor the accelerator at 80 mph, and after the transmission downshifts, the surge of acceleration is so intense that the Land Rover squats back, lifting its front end. It’s a spectacle that leaves even the G63 trailing far behind.
VERDICT: A thrilling experience that transforms the act of driving into an extraordinary adventure.
Specs Panel Icon
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 cubic inches, 4395 cubic centimeters
Power: 626 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: Multilink / Multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-inch vented disc / 14.4-inch vented disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy All Season
275/50R-22 115W M+S LR
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 119.0 inches
Length: 186.7 inches
Width: 81.2 inches
Height: 78.5 inches
Passenger Volume, F/R: 56 / 53 cubic feet
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 79 / 34 cubic feet
Curb Weight: 5,975 pounds
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.7 seconds
100 mph: 9.1 seconds
1/4-Mile: 12.2 seconds @ 114 mph
130 mph: 16.8 seconds
150 mph: 27.4 seconds
Results above exclude 1-foot rollout of 0.3 seconds.
Rolling Start, 5-60 mph: 4.8 seconds
Top Gear, 30-50 mph: 2.6 seconds
Top Gear, 50-70 mph: 3.0 seconds
Top Speed (Manufacturer Claim): 155 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 169 feet
Braking, 100-0 mph: 338 feet
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 by: K.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 he’s 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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