I have had the opportunity to drive a lot of Land Rovers in my time, Defenders specifically. But this one, this one is a little different.
This is the Defender Octa — the most capable, powerful, beautiful, downright insane, and stupid (and by stupid, I mean amazing) Defender of them all. this is my experience and thoughts on 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA.
Engine and Performance
2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA has a BMW-sourced twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8. Which is a 4.4-liter engine designed to produce 626 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. If you are doing offroad drives then torque is what really matters and this OCTA model fulfils that requirement.
For me, anything over 400 lb-ft is enough and this have over five hundred so i already knew this is much more capable than my thoughts. Land rover claims that this OCTA Defender achieves 0–60 mph time of 3.8 seconds. Keep in mind, that this vehicle is weigh around 6,000 pounds which is incredible.
I wish we could test launch control, but even without it, putting the Defender in Dynamic mode and flooring it should deliver an amazing sensation.
Revolutionary 6D Suspension
Land Rover has redefined the Defender’s capability with what they call the 6D suspension. It provides control in six directions: left to right, front to back, and up and down.
Unlike traditional SUVs, the Octa doesn’t have an anti-roll bar. Instead, it uses hydraulically linked suspension at all four corners, with high-pressure lines crossing diagonally. This system constantly reads the terrain, adjusting grip and load distribution instantly.
This has resulted in Smooth control, reduced body movement, and maximum traction. This is the same tech that we have seen in the McLaren sports cars. Company’s aim was to not to make this off-roader capable but to off-roader stable model.
Driving Modes and the Special Octa Mode
Every Defender Octa comes with multiple drive modes for sand, mud, gravel, rocks, and more. Auto mode does an excellent job of adjusting automatically. But the real star here is Octa Mode.
It’s so specialized that Land Rover requires a guide in the car when using it, and you even need to wear a helmet. When engaged, the SUV feels completely different almost gyroscopic.
ABS behaves differently, braking feels raw, and the car gives you full control. It’s not designed for big jumps, but for Baja-style washboard driving, it’s unbelievably smooth.
Off-Road Capability
While the major market is dominated by Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and the Ford Bronco Raptor, the Defender Octa holds true to its ground. Offering 12.7 inches of ground clearance, rock-crawling ability, and water-fording depth of 39.4 inches, also it is as tough as it looks.
However, one concern is that there are exposed hydraulic lines under the SUV. If damaged it can stop vehicle from running smoothly.
On-Road Comfort
Despite its wild off-road ability, the Defender Octa is serene on the road. The air suspension delivers smooth comfort, visibility is excellent, and the interior is luxurious with chopped carbon fiber details and updated tech.
Notable features include:
- Underbody camera mode
- Air quality monitor
- My personal favorite Body and Soul seats that vibrate with the music.
Tires, Exterior, and Design
This OCTA model can be loaded with 33-inch all-terrain tires or all-seasons. but its speed will be limited to 130 mph with this change.
Exterior highlights include:
- Larger grille for cooling
- Front and rear recovery hooks
- Skid plate protection
- Wide fender flares and custom wheels
- Special “Pharaoh Green” paint (launch edition color)
Pricing and Rivals
Pricing starts at $153,475 for the limited-run Octa. Land Rover won’t make many of these, so availability is scarce. Comparable vehicles include:
- Toyota Land Cruiser / Lexus GX (rugged but not as advanced)
- Mercedes G-Wagon (luxury but different suspension tech)
- Rivian R1S / GMC Hummer EV (fast EV alternatives)
- Aston Martin DBX (luxury, not true off-road)
- Range Rover Sport SV (shares 6D suspension, less off-road focus)
Still, the Octa feels like a true unicorn in this mix.
