Written by Keith Adams Updated: 13 March 2025

Overview

Should you buy one?

Five years after its reintroduction, the Land Rover Defender continues to evolve and remains a global success. Now, the astonishing Defender Octa takes this utilitarian-but-actually premium SUV to new heights with a blend of extreme off-road ability and serious performance. With a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 borrowed from BMW, huge power, and an advanced suspension system, the Octa is pitched squarely against the mighty Mercedes G-Class in AMG G63 form.

Spoiler alert: it is a remarkable machine. It’s ferociously quick, outstanding off-road, and offers a level of fun that’s rare at any price. If you need a fast, comfortable, and immensely capable off-roader, there’s little else like it. However, it’s not for everyone. The price is steep, the sports seats aren’t ideal for long journeys, and for most, a well-specced standard Defender will do everything they need.

But if you’re after the ultimate Defender – a car that genuinely competes with the G63 while doing the off-road thing even better – the Octa is irresistible. Land Rover’s ongoing success with the Defender proves there’s still plenty of appetite for a serious off-roader, and the Octa is the pinnacle of the breed right now.

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What’s new?

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The Defender Octa is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering 626hp and 750Nm of torque (pulling power). Its suspension has been completely overhauled, replacing the standard setup with a hydraulically interlinked semi-active system that enhances both on-road handling and off-road articulation.

The body is now 68mm wider and offers increased ground clearance, allowing for a wading depth of up to one metre. Additionally, Land Rover has introduced a dedicated ‘Octa mode’, which fine-tunes the vehicle’s settings for high-speed off-road performance. I’m driving the car in the Scottish borders on a closed estate for some serious off-road action – it’s all part and parcel of how we test cars here at Parkers.

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What’s it like inside?

First thing’s first, let’s step inside and see if it feels like it justifies its lofty asking price. The good news is that the Octa’s cabin retains the rugged yet premium feel of the standard Defender, but with a few individual touches to add distinctiveness. The build quality is solid, and the infotainment system is slick and easy to use, featuring Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro software.

In addition to the Octa are the Edition One models, which come with bespoke trims with chopped carbonfibre finish – an unusual and slightly incongruous touch in a Defender. The Performance seats are another major difference. They offer improved lateral support but sacrifice some of the standard Defender’s long-distance comfort. On a short blast, they feel snug and purposeful, but after a few hours, they can induce backache.

All the Defender’s off-road tech is present and correct, including the invaluable camera-based off-road assists and wade depth sensors. Practicality remains strong, with a roomy cabin and useful storage solutions. However, the optional Body and Soul seats, which let you ‘feel’ the music via vibrations, are really just a gimmick – albeit a fun one.

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What’s it like to drive?

It’s brilliant, and I reckon a testament to skill of Land Rover’s engineers, who have (almost) managed to defy the laws of physics with this car. It isn’t just a more hardcore off-road Defender – it’s a Defender that’s better everywhere.

The biggest upgrade is the suspension, which gives exceptional wheel articulation off-road and razor-sharp body control on tarmac, thanks to clever computer control. The steering is more responsive than the standard Defender’s, which is borrowed from the Range Rover Sport SV.

This makes the Octa feel sharper and more direct, whether carving through mountain passes or steaming through loose gravel. I was most impressed by the Brembo brakes, which offer immense stopping power, helping turn this leviathan into a surprisingly agile and fun road car.

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Off-road, the Octa is pretty much invincible. The increase in width, greater ground clearance, and intelligent suspension setup allow it to dominate trails, dunes, private green lanes, farm land and rock faces with ease.

Octa Mode optimises the car for high-speed off-roading, letting the suspension work overtime to maintain stability and traction. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 is immensely powerful, with a 0-62mph time of 4.0 seconds, enough to worry serious performance cars.

However, while it’s brutally quick in straight line, and handles with surprising agility, ride quality isn’t compromised. It depends on the tyres fitted, of course – the off-road-biased rubber introduces some road noise and minor vibrations, but despite this, I think it’s an acceptable price to pay for all of that ability. I tested it, and it works brilliantly in all situations.

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What models and trims are available?

The Defender Octa is available in two versions, each offering a distinct level of exclusivity and performance. The standard Defender Octa comes equipped with a host of premium features. These include Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system with a large touchscreen, an impressively crisp Meridian sound system, Matrix LED headlights, and an array of advanced off-road technology such as configurable terrain response (think of it as adaptive cruise control for green lanes) and all-round cameras for enhanced visibility.

If that’s not enough, the Edition One like the one in the pictures, is limited to just 2,500 units worldwide. It comes with additional luxury touches such as upgraded upholstery and bespoke interior detailing.

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What else should I know?

The Octa’s biggest rival is the Mercedes-AMG G63, a similarly capable off-roader with a premium price tag. The G63 costs significantly more than the Octa, making the Land Rover look like relatively good value. I do wonder whether the much-cheaper Ford Ranger Raptor gives you 90% of the fun and ability for significantly less outlay, though.

So, how does this incredible new Land Rover pan out? Read on for my verdict and ratings for the new Defender Octa, what we like and what we don’t.