The Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA is a 626-horsepower off-road machine that rewrites what a utilitarian SUV can do. Launched for the 2025 model year, this V8-powered variant combines a BMW-sourced engine with an all-new suspension system that independently manages each wheel in real time, creating a vehicle that accelerates like a sports sedan but climbs like a rock crawler.
Key Takeaways
- 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 626 hp and 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds, 0.4 seconds faster than the Mercedes-AMG G 63
- 6D Dynamics suspension hydraulically interconnects wheels and increases ground clearance to 12 inches with independent wheel decoupling
- OCTA mode minimizes stability controls and routes more power to the rear for rock crawling, dune bashing, and high-speed off-road driving
- US pricing starts at $158,300; Edition One as-tested model costs $170,200 in Faroe Green
- Narrow enough for European streets despite 78-inch height and 2.7-inch wider track width
A V8 Defender That Actually Makes Sense
Land Rover took an unconventional gamble: instead of chasing on-road refinement, it engineered the Defender 110 OCTA as a genuine performance off-road vehicle with road-car speed. The 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with mild-hybrid technology hits 626 horsepower and propels the SUV from 0-100 km/h in just 4 seconds. That is 0.4 seconds quicker than a Mercedes-AMG G 63, a vehicle twice as expensive and built purely for asphalt dominance. The quad-exit active exhaust delivers a refined snarl without the tire-shredding pretension of a Lamborghini Urus.
What separates the OCTA from every other high-powered SUV is that it does not sacrifice capability for speed. The chassis is 2.7 inches wider, the steering ratio is quicker at 13.7:1, and the brakes are serious—15.7-inch rotors with six-piston monobloc Brembo calipers, two more pistons than prior V8 Defenders. The 33-inch tires carry a lower speed rating than road-focused competitors, a deliberate choice that signals where this vehicle’s loyalty lies.
The Suspension That Changes Everything
The 6D Dynamics suspension is the Defender 110 OCTA’s true innovation. This hydraulically-interconnected system decouples wheels independently in real time, meaning each tire responds to terrain without waiting for the others. When airborne, the system primes itself for landing. Ground clearance increases to 12 inches from the standard 11.5 inches, a modest gain that compounds with the wider track and lower center of gravity to create something that handles rock crawling without disconnecting the anti-roll bar.
On pavement, the cabin remains quiet even at 80 mph on chunky tires, thanks to high-quality interior materials and a refined Meridian stereo. The suspension absorbs impact without the jarring harshness of older Defenders. Off-road, the OCTA mode strips away most stability intervention and shifts power bias to the rear wheels, unlocking capabilities that regular Defenders cannot match—dune bashing, high-speed dirt running, and genuine rock crawling.
How the Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA Compares
The Defender 110 OCTA occupies an unusual niche. It is faster than a BMW M5 in a straight line but handles dirt like a WRC car. It outperforms a Lamborghini Urus on trails while remaining narrow enough for European city streets. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 is quicker off the line by 0.4 seconds—but only on pavement. Once the tarmac ends, the G 63 becomes a spectator to the Defender’s 6D Dynamics and rock-crawling prowess. The Ford Raptor offers genuine truck utility and towing capacity, but the OCTA delivers performance and luxury in a package that does not require a pickup bed.
The real competition is internal: a standard Defender 110 costs significantly less and handles most off-road tasks capably. The OCTA justifies its premium only for drivers who want to exploit extreme terrain without sacrificing road manners or 0-100 km/h bragging rights.
Pricing and Availability
The Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA starts at $158,300 in the US, with the Edition One as-tested model priced at $170,200 in Faroe Green. UK pricing runs from £145,300, with the Edition One badged example at £160,800. In Canada, the OCTA begins at $177,100. These prices reflect the engineering complexity: a bespoke V8, an all-new suspension system, and bespoke interior trim justify the premium over the base Defender range, which starts at £58,310 in the UK.
Should You Buy the Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA?
If you spend weekends rock crawling or dune bashing and want a vehicle that also embarrasses sports sedans at traffic lights, the OCTA is unmatched. If you need a practical family SUV that occasionally leaves the highway, save your money and buy a standard Defender. The OCTA is not a compromise vehicle—it is a statement that off-road performance and on-road speed can coexist without apology.
Does the Defender 110 OCTA handle city driving?
Yes. Despite its 78-inch height and aggressive suspension, the OCTA is narrow enough for European streets and delivers a quiet, comfortable cabin at highway speeds. The high-performance suspension absorbs urban bumps without the jarring feel of traditional off-roaders.
How much faster is the OCTA than a regular Defender 110?
The OCTA accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds, making it the quickest Defender ever built. A standard Defender 110 is significantly slower, though it handles most off-road challenges without the V8’s added complexity and cost.
What is OCTA mode and when should you use it?
OCTA mode minimizes stability control intervention and routes more power to the rear wheels, unlocking rock crawling, dune bashing, and high-speed off-road driving capabilities. Use it when standard terrain modes cannot exploit the suspension’s full potential.
The Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA is not the king of the outdoors—it is the king of outdoors performance. For drivers willing to pay the premium, it delivers a rare combination: genuine off-road mastery wrapped in V8 speed and surprising refinement.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
