2026 Land Rover Defender Octa First Test: “God Save the King!”
Key takeaways
- No car does everything well, but the rowdy Octa comes far closer than the average SUV.
- Pros Sport sedan handling Unstoppable off-road Spacious and comfortable Cons Painful fuel economy Major upcharge Somehow subtle.
- It Does Everything?As a variant of the popular Defender 110, it already covers most of that list.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
No car does everything well, but the rowdy Octa comes far closer than the average SUV.
Pros Sport sedan handling Unstoppable off-road Spacious and comfortable Cons Painful fuel economy Major upcharge Somehow subtle. The advent of the modern SUV is predicated on the idea of a single vehicle type that can do just about everything an owner could need. Move people and cargo, manage well enough off-road or in inclement weather, be at least somewhat engaging to drive, tow a moderately sized trailer if needed, be safe in a crash, and be sufficiently comfortable for the long commute. It’s a lot to ask, and no single vehicle does everything perfectly. The 2026 Land Rover Defender Octa makes a damn good run at the job, though.
It Does Everything?As a variant of the popular Defender 110, it already covers most of that list. Standard Defenders ride, handle, and off-road better than the average SUV and do well enough on the rest of the criteria above. The Octa improves that base by offering more. More power, more off-road capability, more handling performance, and more cushion. Credit the BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild hybrid V-8 and “6-D” hydraulic and air suspension for, well, all of it.