2026 Land Rover Defender Arrives With Two V8 Engines

Exterior Tweaks Are Exceptionally Subtle
Land Rover tweaked the Defender's styling for 2026, but it's fairly subtle. A revised headlight features a new signature graphic, and the rear lights now have smoked lenses. There are some new colors, including Woolstone Green and Borasco Grey. The aforementioned OCTA model is available in an exclusive Sargasso Blue color or a Patagonia White Matte wrap that's also offered on the 5.0-liter V8 models. These are nice additions because the 2025 Defender OCTA is currently available in just two colors: Charente Grey and Petra Copper.

Speaking of V8s, Land Rover offers two completely different ones in the Defender. The OCTA uses a BMW-sourced twin-turbo V8 producing 626 horsepower, while the Defender V8 uses Land Rover's 5.0-liter supercharged unit with 518 hp (493 hp in the Defender 130 V8). Lesser models are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder or inline-six.

To further differentiate the OCTA from other Defender models, it now features a Textured Graphite finish with matte surfaces and a metallic flake. A Phosphor Bronze finish has been applied to the bumpers, hood vents, side fender vent surrounds, and hood script. There are some new individual accessories that can be ordered outside of packages, including an Expedition Roof Rack, crossbars, front undershield, and dark finish rear scuff plate (previously bright only). Customers can also add deployable or fixed running boards.

Small Tech Improvements
The previous 11.4-inch touchscreen has been replaced by a larger 13.1-inch unit, the same size found in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Don't worry though, the Defender still keeps its physical climate control knobs and off-road buttons, unlike the Range Rovers. Land Rover also kept the available jump seat if you want to squeeze three people in the front row.

Other new technology features for 2026 include adaptive off-road cruise control and a driver attention monitor with a driver-facing camera. The long-wheelbase 130 model can even be equipped with a built-in air compressor, which could come in handy when driving in soft sand.

We don't expect pricing to change too drastically from the previous model year, unless Land Rover is forced to pass on the cost of the recently negotiated 10% tariff on all UK-built vehicles from the Trump Administration. The 2025 Defender 90 starts at $56,900, while the OCTA tops the lineup at $152,000.