What’s intriguing about the 2026 Land Rover Defender is its split personality.
It’s a massive midsize luxury SUV with two distinct qualities. It can serve as a rough-and-tumble off-road vehicle that can travel virtually anywhere and it also excels as a suave-moving, every-day vehicle.
The Defender is traditionally equipped with two rows and seats five, yet a third row can be added that accommodates two more passengers. It’s offered as a two-door (Defender 90) and a four-door, called Defender 110. A long-wheelbase three-row version is named the Defender 130.
If off-roading is a major priority, the Defender is considered one of the best rugged vehicles today. Seek out challenging terrain and the Defender is likely capable of conquering it. It comes standard with a vigorous four-wheel-drive system, hill descent control and a two-speed transfer case.
The Defender offers advanced off-road technology across all models that includes Terrain Response system, allowing the driver to use one of the following modes – mud and ruts, sand, grass, gravel, snow, rock crawl, and wade.
It has a twin-speed transfer box (high/low range), locking center differentials and a maximum of 11.4 inches ground clearance that allows the Defender to wade through 35 inches of water.
Every version of the Defender comes standard with all-wheel drive, eight-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case that provides low-range gearing. The Defender weighs between 5,235 to 5,845 pounds and when properly equipped can tow up to 8,200 pounds.
Despite the extreme off-road capability, the Defender also shines when it comes to delivering a smooth, refined ride. The gear changes are often indiscernible, the braking is first rate, and it maneuvers well in tight situations for such a hefty SUV.
However, there are criticisms of the Defender, primarily due to its sticker shock. The basic model is reasonable at approximately $63,600, yet the cost keeps climbing until it reaches the top-of-the line Orca and its roughly $160,000 price tag. Poor fuel economy is another frequent complaint and so is the lack of major cargo space.
This year’s Defender arrived with some changes that are detected before one even gets inside the boxy SUV. Most models received new front and rear bumpers. There’s also a black grille bar on the front that resides between the vehicle’s updated headlights.
The interior changes include a larger 13.1-inch infotainment screen, a gear shift that’s now mounted on the center stack, and a revised center console design.
The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder that generates 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It goes 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds and the fuel economy is 17-20 mpg. The astonishingly fast Orca is a twin-turbo 4.4-liter, V8 that delivers 626 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, and travels 0-60 mph 3.8 seconds.
AT A GLANCE – 2026 LAND ROVER DEFENDER
- Performance: turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 296 horsepower; there are four other engine choices
- Mileage estimate: 15-21 mpg (depending on the engine)
- Price estimate: $63,600 to $160,200
- Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; Drivetrain: 4 years/50,000 miles; Roadside assistance: 4 years/50,000; Corrosion: 6 years/unlimited
The Defender has a wide variety of interior options, giving people the ability to pick their preferences. Wood-grained trim and leather seating are among the available options.
Standard features in all Defenders are electronic adjustable steering column, heated leather steering wheel, large center console, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in-dash navigation system, six-speaker stereo, onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and leather gearshift.
Both the front and second row are spacious for adults and taller passengers in the Defender 130, while the third row is spacious enough to accommodate adults. It measures 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row and expands to 35.8 cubes with the second row down, and stretches to 76.1 cubes with both rows folded to the floor.
The smaller Defender 90 has only adequate leg room in the second row. It offers 15.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and enlarges to 58.3 cubic feet when the seats are down.
For off-road enthusiasts who love adventures, the 2024 Land Rover Defender is ideal. But the Defender is also versatile – it can go practically anywhere while also providing a comfortable, roomy cabin and surprisingly good handling.
Weidel on Wheels is featured regularly on www.tahoeskiworld.com. Auto writer Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel.bsky.social
