Land Rover Defender

• The latest Defender strikes a balance between the tough, functional spirit of the original and the premium comfort you expect from today’s Range Rover lineup.
• Serious Off-Road Ability: It remains fully capable in the wild, easily keeping up with hardcore rivals like the Jeep Wrangler and Lexus GX.
• Comfortable on the Road: Despite its rugged DNA, the Defender offers refined road manners and a well-built, high-quality cabin that makes daily driving easy.
• Wide Range of Variants: The 2025 model range expands with the new Octa variant, featuring a twin-turbo V8, advanced suspension tech and an even more luxurious interior.
• Multiple Powertrains & Body Styles. Four engine options and three body styles add to its versatility:
  • Defender 90: Two-door, classic and purist-friendly
  • Defender 110: Best balance of style and practicality
  • Defender 130: Extended wheelbase with a third row for big families and long trips
• Across the range, the Defender delivers modern convenience and comfort while staying true to its iconic, instantly recognisable design.

What's New with 2025 Land Rover Defender?

• New Defender Octa Variant: Adds even stronger on-road performance and enhanced off-road capability.
• Defender 130 Upgrade: Now available with second-row captain seats for improved comfort in the three-row layout.
• Every trim now gets an 11.4-inch touchscreen and a Meridian sound system as standard equipment.
• Continues as an update to the second-generation Defender introduced in 2020.

• Despite its tall, boxy shape, the Defender feels more manageable on the road than expected. However, it doesn’t attack tight bends as confidently as more road-focused SUVs like the Audi Q7 or BMW X5.
• The smaller Defender 90 is noticeably more nimble thanks to its shorter wheelbase and lighter weight. Still, all Defender versions show some body roll when pushed through sharp corners.
• Air Suspension Improves Body Control: Models equipped with air suspension handle bends better, controlling side-to-side movement more effectively. The steering may be slow, but it has a solid, weighted feel that keeps you connected to the front wheels.
• Off-roading is made simple with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, which tailors the SUV for surfaces like mud, snow, sand, and rocks. The Defender offers an impressive wading depth of 850 mm, or 900 mm with air suspension.
• For hardcore off-roading, air suspension can raise the SUV by 70 mm, helping protect the underbody.
• The Defender 90 also benefits from the tightest turning circle and the best breakover angle, while even the longer 110 outperforms the Toyota Land Cruiser in approach and departure angles.

• The cabin blends luxury with durability. Familiar Land Rover styling is retained, but rugged details—like exposed rivets on the door panels and a full-width magnesium dashboard beam—reinforce its adventure-ready character.
• Functional Central Control Layout: Below the infotainment screen sits a practical trapezoidal panel housing climate controls, drive-mode switches, the gear selector, and even the start/stop button. This layout keeps key functions within easy reach during off-road driving.
• On select variants, the centre console can fold back to form a jump seat, allowing a three-person front row—similar to full-size pickup trucks. It's a rare and useful feature in this segment.

• Flexible Cargo and Seating Options
  • Defender 90 & 110: Cargo room is modest with all seats up but comparable to rivals like the Jeep Wrangler. Folding the second row opens up a large, usable load area.
  • Defender 130: Offers more luggage space with the third row folded, but storage is tight when all seats are in use.
  • 130 Outbound: Removes the third row entirely, maximising cargo capacity for adventure travel.

• Technology & Infotainment Features
  • Pivi Pro Touchscreen Interface: Equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen as standard, running Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro system. A larger 11.4-inch display is offered as an upgrade.

• Modern, Faster UI: Unlike the dual-screen setup in other Land Rovers, the Defender uses a single, quicker, more responsive touchscreen and supports over-the-air software updates.
• Smartphone Connectivity & Navigation: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, built-in navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot and a standard six-speaker audio system come included.
• Premium Audio Options: Buyers can upgrade to 10-speaker or 14-speaker Meridian sound systems for a richer audio experience.
• Higher Trim Tech Add-ons: Top variants also offer a digital instrument cluster and a head-up display, adding to the Defender’s premium appeal.

• ​The Defender offers a wide range of driver-assistance features, including several systems specially tuned for off-roading and towing, making it more capable in challenging conditions.
• For detailed crash-test ratings, buyers can refer to the NHTSA and IIHS official websites.

Key Safety Features

• Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning paired with lane-keeping assist
• Optional adaptive cruise control for relaxed long-distance driving

Standard 2.0-L Turbo Petrol

• Starts with a 296 hp, 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
• Paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
• 4WD and locking differentials are standard on all variants.

More Power With the 3.0-L Inline-Six

• The optional 395 hp, 3.0-litre inline-six uses a mix of turbocharging, an electric supercharger, and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for smoother, stronger performance.

High-Performance V8 Option

• For those wanting serious speed, the 518 hp supercharged V8 delivers rapid acceleration.
• In our test, the Defender 90 V8 sprinted from 0–60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Range-Topping Octa Twin-Turbo V8

• The most powerful Defender is the 626 hp Octa, powered by a twin-turbo V8.

Modern Platform & Suspension

• Built on a unibody structure instead of the old body-on-frame layout.
• Comes with a fully independent suspension setup.
• Coil springs are standard, while air suspension is optional for adjustable ride height.
• The Octa uses Land Rover’s new 6D Dynamics hydraulic system, removing the need for traditional anti-roll bars.

Off-Road Capability

• Offers 11.5 inches of ground clearance.
• Can wade through 35 inches of water, beating the Jeep Wrangler in both clearance and water-forging depth.

Performance & 0–60 mph Times

• Defender 130 Outbound (395 hp I6): 0–60 mph in 6.2 seconds.
• Defender 90 V8 (518 hp): 0–60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
• Defender Octa (626 hp twin-turbo V8): Expected to be even quicker — estimated under 4.0 seconds.

• At 5018 mm in length, 2105 mm in width, and 1967 mm in height, it’s one of the largest SUVs available in India.
• The wheelbase measures up to 3022 mm.
• The Defender’s curb weight varies by variant, but for the 110 HSE, it’s around 2261 kg, and for some diesel variants, it goes up to 2550 kg.
• The ground clearance ranges from 218 mm to 291 mm depending on the variant.
• A point to be noted is that parking such a wide and long SUV in tight urban spaces is not for the faint-hearted in a country like India.
  

The Defender’s closest rivals actually sit within Land Rover’s own range — the Discovery at a similar price point and the more premium Range Rover. Beyond that, the Lexus GX delivers strong off-road capability but doesn’t match the Defender’s comfort on tarmac. The Jeep Wagoneer offers plenty of style and impressive towing strength, though its off-road range is more limited. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class can match the Defender in almost any terrain, but its price tag is in a completely different league.