2026 Land Rover Defender Review, Specs, Features

2026 Land Rover Defender Review, Specs, Features – At last, Land Rover was able to successfully swap it out for the legendary Defender 4×4. Despite some initial reservations regarding some of the fundamental changes, such the move to a unibody chassis design and a complete reliance on electronics to operate its intricate four-wheel drive system, the current model can surely proudly wear its Defender badges. We consider it a revived icon, which is why we named it the Large Premium SUV of the Year at our 2022 New Car Awards. 2026 Land Rover Defender Review

Even while it still has a sleek, vintage appearance, the most current 2026 Land Rover Defender is much different from its more rustic predecessor. The huge, solid axles of the old automobile have been replaced with a new independent system. This enhances riding comfort without compromising off-road performance when paired with coil springs or adjustable air suspension. Long-distance highway travel is now a breeze thanks to the Defender’s development into a superb long-legged cruiser.

The inside is one of its better qualities. It is soft enough for everyday use and appears to be really well-made, but it isn’t so showy and delicate that you have to question if you’ll be able to drive the car off-road as the creator intended. But if you’d want, you could replace some of the robust technical materials with Range Rover-inspired leathers and shiny wood. Versatility is essential because there are options for five, six, seven, or even eight seats. Its interior technology is also quite good, especially when paired with the larger Pivi Pro infotainment system.

2026 Land Rover Defender Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

Land Rover has skillfully modernized the Defender for the twenty-first century. Although it pays respect to the previous model, this 4×4 is definitely at the forefront of off-road performance and on-board technology.

Although it’s about the same size as the previous Defender, it’s bigger, chunkier, and better constructed. Inside are body-colored metal strips, powder-coated aluminum surfaces, exposed screw heads, a magnesium bulkhead, and even a moldable rubber floor covering that is intended to be cleaned. Despite not having the usual Land Rover level of luxury, it does have a quite good, practical cabin that is as well-made as anything else and has enough soft-touch materials thoughtfully positioned throughout to provide the appearance of complete luxury.

Power-folding side mirrors, heated seats, LED headlights, and 19-inch alloy wheels are standard on the S variant. While the X-Dynamic SE level adds privacy glass, a black contrasting roof, and silver exterior trim, the X-Dynamic HSE level adds a panoramic glass sunroof, more advanced matrix LED headlights, and a heated steering wheel. High-end X models come with a black top and bonnet, Windsor leather seats, a 700w Meridian sound system with four extra speakers, a head-up display, and other interior design upgrades.

The Pivi Pro is JLR’s most effective infotainment system to date, and it comes with smartphone compatibility for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We found that the system’s over-the-air software upgrades were particularly useful when we utilized a Defender 110 P400e since they saved us from having to go to the dealer. Entry-level X-Dynamic HSE cars have a 10-inch touchscreen, while higher-end models have a 11.4-inch display. The Defender 130’s bigger screen is another essential feature.

We’ve found that the system has a reliable phone connection and reacts rapidly. The Defender’s screen is at least simpler to use than the infotainment systems of the majority of its rivals, particularly the fragile screen of the XC90, even though we still prefer tactile buttons or a dial, like the BMW iDrive system.

Along with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, entry-level Defenders also come equipped with Land Rover’s Connected Navigation Pro, an internet data package, and a 400W Meridian audio system with 10 speakers. The majority of V8 cars still provide wireless phone charging as an option as part of the Comfort and Convenience package, but only the most costly models have it as standard.

2026 Land Rover Defender Specs

Engine & Performance

Land Rover’s engineers had to ensure that the Defender could withstand all expected off-road situations before focusing on how well it would operate on the road. Since it appears to satisfy even the most devoted 4×4 driver, they appear to have nailed the brief.

The Defender has a low-ratio gearbox for better control of the engine’s power over difficult obstacles, a locking center differential to ensure that the engine’s power is distributed evenly between the front and rear wheels to improve traction, and the manufacturer’s most recent Terrain Response technology. Depending on the specification, the Defender has either an air suspension system or a coil suspension system. With its several driving modes, the latter automatically adjusts various driving parameters to make traversing any terrain enjoyable.

The Defender handles far more slowly than more road-biased SUVs like the Volvo XC90 or BMW X5. When negotiating off-road dangers, this feature—also included in the Ineos Grenadier—keeps the steering wheel from being yanked from of your hands. The Defender is the ideal balance between being more controllable on the road and retaining the self-centered mobility of a road car.

This suggests that the Defender will automatically switch off the steering lock for you as you exit a crossroads. Turning right from a 90-degree crossroads into a 60-mph country road in the Grenadier requires you to do all of it by hand. If you don’t do it fast enough, this might be dangerous and inconvenient. You could find yourself veering into the other lane as you try to regain control of the vehicle.

Even when the suspension articulates over a barrier, the Defender’s long-travel, soft suspension makes sure that every wheel remains on the ground. This suggests that when navigating bends at high speeds, the Defender will sag more than a BMW X5. You quickly become used to its anticipated slanting, though, and begin to drive more slowly. We’ve found that the Defender’s suspension enhances ride comfort since it’s so flexible, especially on rough roads.

There are certain limitations, though. Buyers of a Defender with 22-inch wheels, which are standard on V8 and X grade cars and available on lower trims, will find that the ride is harsher and less enjoyable than the more practical 19 or 20-inch wheel options. Additionally, anything in the rear of a shorter 90 might appear a bit harsh because you’re sitting just above the back wheels.

If you’re purchasing this as a family car, the longer 110 or 130 is a better choice. In any case, the modern Defender still offers significantly superior off-road driving capabilities and ride comfort than the original Defender, and it still has a big edge over rivals like the Mercedes G-Class, Jeep Wrangler, and Grenadier. Our selection from the engine portfolio would be the exceptional D250 diesel. It is really effective in the real world and performs flawlessly with amazing elegance.

You’ll soon have to rely on the engine when driving on the highway as the plug-in hybrid fails to meet its claimed 30-mile electric range (we were only managed to get about 25 miles out of our long-term 2026 Land Rover Defender test car). For daily commuting, its all-electric range is hardly sufficient. The 2.0-liter gasoline engine must work harder to move the 2,700-kilogram car due to the weight of the battery pack, and it won’t be any more efficient than a diesel.

In our view, the V8 Defender doesn’t appear all that different from the original model, despite the fact that certain handling tweaks were made to account for the added power. The short-wheelbase 90 feels quick and energetic to drive, but the bigger Defender 130 P500 V8 is simply too big to be thrilling. If you want excitement, there are alternative V8 SUV options that handle better, such Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport.

The Defender’s regular D250 3.0-liter diesel engine can propel it from 0 to 62 miles per hour in around eight seconds, while the D350’s 345-bhp diesel engine can finish the race in 6.2 seconds. The P425 can finish the same sprint in 5.6 seconds, while the 296-bhp P300e petrol can do it in 7.4 seconds.

With 518 horsepower and 625 Nm of torque in the 90 and 110 variants, the supercharged Defender V8 is the greatest option for performance. With 493 horsepower and 610 Nm of torque, the bigger 130 is forced to make do with a little weaker version of the same engine. From 0 to 62 miles per hour, the former takes 5.2 seconds, while the latter takes 5.7 seconds, which is a little longer. Both, though, can reach a top speed of 149 mph. 2026 Land Rover Defender Review

2026 Land Rover Defender Fuel Economy

The Defender’s bluff, upright design, and almost two-ton weight prevent it from traveling across continents on a single fuel tank. Although some consumers may be deterred by the 3.0-liter diesel engine’s hefty list price, Land Rover has added mild-hybrid technology to increase efficiency. The petrol plug-in hybrid is an additional choice to think about. The official average efficiency for all diesel-powered vehicles is around 33 mpg. However, CO2 emissions are rather considerable at over 220 g/km.

The P425 gasoline engine in the 90 bodystyle only gets 20.2 mpg overall on the WLTP test cycle, producing 316 g/km of pollutants. The 110 body type plug-in hybrid P300e can achieve 103.8 mpg while emitting 62 g/km of CO2.

It should be no surprise that the P500 and P525 V8 petrol engines, which only manage an average of around 20 mpg under mixed driving conditions, are the least efficient Defender variants. Additionally, CO2 emissions may average 329 g/km. If you can find a charger with a maximum capacity of 50kW, you can recharge a dead battery in 30 minutes, since the Defender is one of the few plug-in hybrid cars that can be charged rapidly in the UK. Since charging the Defender at home with a 7kW wallbox charger using less expensive nighttime electricity can be fairly expensive, most people will choose with this alternative. This procedure will take about two and a half hours to finish.

You may be able to ignore the rather restricted 30-mile electric range of the plug-in P300e hybrid while still get some decent overall fuel efficiency numbers if you charge it regularly and just drive short distances. After 13,000 miles of driving a P400e, we were only able to obtain approximately 30 mpg, which is roughly what you would expect from a diesel Defender—which is also far less expensive to buy in the first place.

Business car drivers may benefit from the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax because of its low average emissions of 59g/km. However, several other alternatives, including the BMW X5 xDrive50e, fall into the much lower 8% bracket (at least until 2026). The all-electric Kia EV9, which can accommodate seven passengers and has a monthly cost substantially lower than a Defender, comes next. It also has a lot more space inside.

2026 Land Rover Defender Safety Features

Given its size and strength, you would think the Land Rover Discovery would be nearly unbreakable. It is too soon to draw definite conclusions about what it will be like to live with the current Defender for an extended period of time, as it was not featured in the most recent 2026 Driver Power survey. Owners’ perceptions of the brand are getting better; it surpassed premium names like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, rising from 22nd rank (out of 29 brands) in 2021 to 14th place in 2022 and maintaining that position in 2026.

The Defender has a number of active systems and safety measures to help prevent crashes. It is clear that Land Rover has this important area under control since the Defender received a flawless five-star certification from Euro NCAP. Standard features include adaptive cruise control to ensure a safe distance from the car in front of you and a Lane Assist system to keep you in your lane on the highway.

The municipality has auto emergency braking to lessen or avoid low-speed collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians, in addition to traffic sign recognition to notify you of changes in the speed limit. This massive vehicle has blind-spot recognition, which warns you of approaching traffic if you change lanes, and rear-cross traffic monitoring, which warns you of cars crossing from behind when you have to reverse out into a busy road. 2026 Land Rover Defender Review

2026 Land Rover Defender Release Date & Price

SsangYong Rextons might be a more cost-effective choice for people who don’t mind living with something that appears much more rustic. Most consumers would likely consider more expensive choices like the Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Lexus RX, or BMW X5 when determining whether to buy a Defender. The Toyota Land Cruiser, which shares the Defender’s robust, antique appearance, comes next.

If you want something more durable for agricultural work, you could be interested in double-cab pick-up trucks like the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok, and Toyota Hilux. None of the three can match the Defender’s on-road elegance, even with its notable 4×4 capabilities. The Land Rover Discovery, which the firm is fully aware is often mistaken for the Defender because of the latter’s modest advantage, is another problem.

Defender customers may select from the stretched-out 130, five-door Defender 110, and three-door Defender 90 models. The Hard Top 90 with the D350 costs a little over £58,000, while the basic model with the D250 diesel starts at just under £57,500. The P300 SE 90 and larger 110 start at about £60,000, while the three-row 130 starts at about £81,000. 2026 Land Rover Defender Review

Conclusion

To sum up, the 2026 Land Rover Defender is a wonderful example of modern British engineering, but its looks alone will convince a lot of buyers. The latest Defender has silenced the doubters and proven itself deserving of the well-known name thanks to its almost unmatched off-road performance at its core and all the enhancements SUV buyers want.

It’s incredible that it can be a beautiful luxury car that can be used in the city, a useful family wagon, or a workhorse that works well for farmers. This luxury will come at a considerable cost, though, and there are alternative rivals to consider, some of which use far less petroleum. However, few of those rivals can match the allure and distinctiveness of the 2026 Land Rover Defender.

Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.