Land Rover’s off-road icon goes high-octane.
The Land Rover Defender name has been celebrated for decades, earning a sterling reputation for off-road capability and enviably rugged character. The vehicle’s iconic and unmistakable silhouette also bolsters its legendary reputation for adventuring ability. However, Land Rover has unveiled a new twist on the Defender nameplate: the new 2025 Defender Octa, a high-performance take on the Defender promising thrills both on and off-road.
Its name is inspired by the octahedral shape of a diamond, and as such, the vehicle’s ethos, according to Land Rover, is also inspired by diamonds, which are known both for their beauty and their toughness. Land Rover deems the new Defender Octa “the toughest, most capable, and most luxurious” model in the Defender lineup. It has a high-performance powertrain, off-road revisions, and more wade depth than any other production Defender.
At its heart is a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged mild hybrid V8 engine, good for a robust 626 horsepower and 553 lb/ft of torque, which will sound familiar to anyone who knows about the new Range Rover Sport SV, Range Rover’s performance-focused luxury SUV. In the Defender Octa, the engine rockets the 4×4 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, with a 155-mph top speed.
With a 1-inch lift in ride height and a stance widened by nearly 3 inches, the new Defender Octa uses hydraulically interlinked 6D Dynamics suspension technology (for the first time in a Defender) to deliver thrilling and engaging on- and off-road performance. The Octa’s adaptability on different surfaces is demonstrated by its 5 Terrain Response modes, and the vehicle also features a Comfort driving mode, Dynamic mode for on-road performance, and Octa mode for off-road thrills.
Setting it apart from other Defenders are details like the largest tires fitted to a production Defender at 33 inches, along with colors like Petra Copper, Carpathian Grey, and Charente Grey. Exclusively for the Defender Octa Edition One is Faroe Green and Chopped carbon fiber trims. A semi-aniline leather interior comes standard, and the Octa is fitted with all-new Performance seats, with Body and Soul Seat audio technology developed in collaboration between Land Rover, SUBPAC, and Coventry University.
The new 2025 Defender Octa starts at a price of $152,000, and the 2025 Defender Octa Edition One, which is available through the first year of production, costs $167,800. Representing the new pinnacle of Defender’s off-road performance, the new Defender Octa has power, luxury, and ruggedness all wrapped in one.
Image Source: Land Rover
