What is the 2025 Land Rover Defender?
The Land Rover Defender is a luxury mid-size SUV with a reputation for outstanding all-terrain capability. It’s offered in three body styles: two-door 90, four-door 110 and extended-wheelbase four-door 130. The 90 has two rows and seats five in its standard configuration and six with an optional front jump seat. The 110 seats five people in its two standard rows and seven with an available third row. The 130 seats eight with its third row and second-row bench seat, and seven with newly available second-row captain’s chairs. The 130 Outbound trim deletes the third row for more cargo space, leaving five seats.
Defender shoppers can choose from four engines, all of which pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive with locking differentials. They consist of a 296-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder; a 395-hp, turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder; a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 that produces 493 or 518 hp; and a 626-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8.
The twin-turbo V-8 is available only in a new-for-2025, high-performance Octa trim. Solely available in the 110 body style, the Octa is 2.7 inches wider and rides 1.1 inches higher than other Defender models. In addition to its muscular engine, it’s outfitted with 33-inch tires and an upgraded suspension with hydraulically linked dampers. Land Rover says the Octa accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The Defender’s rivals include the BMW X5, Ineos Grenadier, Lexus GX, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Porsche Cayenne and Toyota Land Cruiser.
What’s New on the 2025 Land Rover Defender?
The flagship, hot-rod Octa version — limited to only 1,000 units in North America — is the most noteworthy addition to the Defender roster for 2025. The previously mentioned second-row captain’s chairs are now offered on the extended-wheelbase 130 version, and the Defender lineup also sees a reshuffling of option packages related to off-road driving and comfort and tech features.
What Features in the 2025 Land Rover Defender Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital instrument display
- 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Keyless entry and start
- Panoramic roof
- Wireless device charging
- 10-speaker Meridian stereo
- 360-degree camera system
- Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot warning
- Lane-centering steering
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
Available features include:
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated windshield
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Wi-Fi hot spot
- Four-zone climate control
- Refrigerated center console bin
- 20- or 22-inch wheels
- 20-speaker Meridian stereo
- Digital-camera rearview mirror
- Head-up display
- Adaptive air suspension
- Leather upholstery
- First-row jump seat (90)
Should I Buy the 2025 Land Rover Defender?
The Defender manages to toe the line as both a rugged and elegant means of getting around, and it deftly puts a new-age spin on vintage Land Rover styling. And true to the Land Rover brand, it has more off-road capability than most of its owners will ever use. There are a lot of decisions to be made when exploring the Defender’s various sizes and wide range of drivetrains; the standard turbo four-cylinder is perfectly capable, but there’s lots of fun to be had when powering one of the more powerful six-cylinder or V-8 models. Keep in mind, though, that this Land Rover’s price soars rapidly when moving to higher trims and those gutsier engines.
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