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2025 Land Rover Defender: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2025 Land Rover Defender is the arrival of the 626-hp OCTA, a new high-performance version with its own hydraulically linked suspension. The wider lineup also gets standard upgraded infotainment and audio, plus several trim and seating changes.
About the 2025 Land Rover Defender
2nd generation Defender (L663, introduced for 2020); 2025 is a late pre-refresh year before the broader 2026 visual and infotainment update.
Land Rover positions the Defender as a luxury adventure SUV that still does real off-road work. Its appeal is the mix of upright, classic Defender styling, genuine trail capability, and a cabin that feels far more premium than most rugged SUVs. The lineup’s three body styles let it cover very different jobs: short-wheelbase fun in the 90, family and daily-driver duty in the 110, and maximum passenger or cargo flexibility in the 130.
The 2025 range stretches from the straightforward S to the premium six-cylinder X, the supercharged V8 and the more extreme OCTA. The five-seat Defender 130 Outbound favors cargo space, with up to 89 cubic feet, while the OCTA pairs its 626-hp V8 with a raised, widened body and a special loose-surface driving mode. The launch-year OCTA Edition One adds distinctive carbon-fiber details and unique seat trim.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The new OCTA and 2025-only OCTA Edition One join the lineup with a 626-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8. The previous Carpathian Edition is dropped.
Styling
OCTA models get a raised, widened body, revised bumpers and metal underbody protection. The SE name changes to Sedona Red for 2025, adding a one-year exterior treatment and the richer Signature Interior Pack. Leather seats shift from standard to optional on S and X-Dynamic SE.
Tech
An 11.4-inch touchscreen and Meridian audio become standard across the Defender range.
Structural
OCTA adds a hydraulically linked, height-adjustable suspension designed for faster driving on pavement and loose surfaces. The Defender 130 also adds an optional second-row captain’s-chair layout.
2025 Land Rover Defender specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / 6-Cyl, MHEV, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, MHEV, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter | V8, MHEV, Twin Turbo, 4.4 Liter | 6-Cyl, MHEV, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, MHEV, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, MHEV, 3.0 Liter / 6-Cyl, MHEV, Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, Supercharged, 5.0 Liter | V8, MHEV, Twin Turbo, 4.4 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 17–18 mpg | 18 mpg | 14–15 mpg | 15 mpg | 16 mpg | 18 mpg | 14–18 mpg | 15 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 20–21 mpg | 20 mpg | 18–19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 20 mpg | 18–21 mpg | 19 mpg |
| Horsepower | 296–395 hp | 395 hp | 493–518 hp | 395 hp | 395 hp | 395–493 hp | ||
| Torque | 295–406 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft | 450–461 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft | 406–450 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 7716 lb | 8201 lb | 8201 lb | 8200 lb | 8201 lb | 8201 lb | 8201 lb | 8200 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 58.3–78.8 cu-ft | 76.1–78.8 cu-ft | 58.3–78.8 cu-ft | 78.8 cu-ft | 76.1 cu-ft | 78.8 cu-ft | 58.3–78.8 cu-ft | 78.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.6–39.1 in | 36.6–39.1 in | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | 36.6–39.1 in | |||
| Seats | 6–8 | 7–8 | 6–8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6–8 | 7 |
| Doors | 2–4 | 4 | 2–4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2–4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||||
| Automatic Leveling Headlights | ||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||||
| Heated Windshield | ||||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||||
| Side Steps | ||||||||
| Tow Hooks | ||||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||||
| Cooled Seats | ||||||||
| Cooled Rear Seats | ||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | ||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||||
| Leather Interior Trim | ||||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||||
| Memory Front Seats | ||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||||
| Refrigerator/Cooler | ||||||||
| Third Row Seat | ||||||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2025 Land Rover Defender?
The biggest change is the new Defender OCTA. It has a 626-hp twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8, a hydraulically linked suspension, a raised and widened body, and a dedicated mode for faster driving on loose surfaces.
How is the 2025 Defender OCTA different from the regular Defender V8?
The OCTA is the more specialized performance model. Beyond its 626-hp twin-turbo V8, it gets a unique hydraulically linked suspension, greater ride height, a wider body, revised bumpers, underbody protection and a loose-surface driving mode.
What technology became standard on every 2025 Defender?
Every 2025 Defender gets an 11.4-inch touchscreen and a Meridian audio system as standard equipment. This brings the core infotainment upgrade to the full range, including the S trim.
What changed for the 2025 Defender 130?
The 2025 Defender 130 adds an optional second-row captain’s-chair layout. These individual seats improve second-row comfort and provide a walkway toward the third row.
What is the 2025 Defender Sedona Red?
The Sedona Red is the renamed successor to the SE for 2025 and a one-year Defender 110 special edition. It uses the 3.0-liter mild-hybrid inline-six and adds unique exterior detailing, Windsor leather and Kvadrat seats, and a suedecloth headliner.
2025 Land Rover Defender Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2025 Land Rover Defender.
4.4
2025 Land Rover Defender
(74 reviews)
“I am very unhappy with the key fob. It does not connect to the car, so I'm always fumbling, searching for the fob to open my car. The phone charger has never worked.”
“If you want a quality versatile and quality vehicle the Defender is your choice.”
Sources
- media.landrover.com — 2024 / 05 / Model Year 2025 Defender Takes Luxury Adventure New Heights 0
- media.landrover.com — 2024 / 07 / Introducing Defender Octa New Master High Performance And Road
- media.landrover.com — 2023 / 04 / Defender Line Grows Host New Offerings Including Luxurious Defender 130 Outbound
- media.landrover.com — 2024 / 05 / Defender Takes Luxury Adventure New Heights Greater Choice And More Power
- media.landrover.com — 2024 / 11 / Destination Defender British Adventure Brand Heads Californian Mountains
- media.landrover.com — 2025 / 07 / Defender Upgraded Now Even More Distinctive And Easy Use 0