Land Rover Defender Octa (2025) Review

The 110 Octa is the most powerful and capable derivative in the Land Rover Defender line-up. We strap ourselves in to fully experience this potent performer!

We like: Sledgehammer performance – both on- and off-road, aggressive design, the ultimate Defender.

We don’t like: Rarer than hen’s teeth.

FAST FACTS

• Model: Land Rover Defender 110 Octa
• Price: R3 663 600 (December 2025)
• Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 mild-hybrid petrol
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission
• Power/Torque: 467 kW/750 Nm 
• 0-100 kph: 4.0 sec (claimed)
• Claimed consumption: 13.5 L/100 km
• Luggage capacity: 786-1 875 litres

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Where does the Defender 110 Octa fit in?

The Land Rover Defender has already cemented its status as one of the world’s most capable and popular luxury 4x4s, spawning an entire family of vehicles. But now, there’s an undisputed apex predator in the stable: the Defender 110 Octa.

Dubbed the most powerful, most talented, most accomplished Defender ever, the Octa is far more than just an accessorised special edition. It is a purpose-built, high-performance off-road monster developed by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team, designed to rival the most exclusive and capable vehicles in the world.

Speaking of which, let’s talk rivals. The Defender 110 Octa is positioned as a direct rival to the Mercedes-AMG G63, but if you’re not off-road-oriented, then also consider a vehicle like the Lamborghini Urus. If you’re the adventuring type and happy to sacrifice pace and luxury features, look at the much less expensive Ineos Grenadier.

Compare specs of the Defender 110 Octa with those of the Mercedes-AMG G63 and Lamborghini Urus

Defender 110 Octa: Performance & efficiency

To qualify as the ultimate Defender, the Octa needed serious firepower. While the standard Defender V8 uses the older 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine, the Octa moves to a newer, more advanced unit: a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology, sourced from BMW and familiar from myriad M-badged models.

See also: Land Rover Defender 130 (2023) Review

This potent setup delivers a massive 467 kW of power and 750 Nm of torque. In the right circumstances, such as in a brief launch mode, the torque figure can temporarily increase to 800 Nm.

All this immense power is on demand with a simple press of a steering-wheel-mounted button that instantly engages the Dynamic program. Hold this button down longer and Octa mode is activated.

See also: Land Rover Defender Outbound (2025) Launch Review

On the straight and narrow, this colossal SUV is startlingly quick, crushing 4.28 seconds to 100 kph. The optional heavy-duty off-road tyres slowed us down a tad, but we appreciated the suitably dramatic exhaust note with accompanying pops and crackles. The power delivery is brutal yet controlled, making the Defender Octa as much of a sports car destroyer as it is a master of the rough stuff.

Efficiency? Well, it’s easy to dismiss the Defender 110 Octa as just another “gas-guzzling SUV”, but when you consider its performance and capabilities, plus its premium positioning, 12.4 L/100 km doesn’t seem that unreasonable.

Defender 110 Octa: All-round ability & ride comfort

Injecting so much power into a large family SUV like the Defender means having to counteract the inherent physical forces of body roll and brake dive. Land Rover’s solution for the Defender 110 Octa is revolutionary: 6D Dynamics air suspension.

This highly sophisticated system uses a combination of electronically controlled, hydraulically interlinked dampers and height-adjustable air springs. By linking the dampers in a hydraulic circuit, the system can actively communicate and counteract body movement.

For instance, when cornering, the system stiffens the outer suspension to dramatically reduce body roll. When braking aggressively, it stiffens the front suspension to virtually eliminate nose-dive.

The result is that the Defender 110 Octa can be driven with an extraordinary level of control and agility for a vehicle of its size and weight, regardless whether you are driving fast on a paved road or navigating uneven off-road terrain.

The Octa is not just designed to go fast on tar; it’s engineered to travel absolutely anywhere at pace. This is why the Defender’s engineers have even subjected it to over 13 000 additional tests and entered it into the gruelling World Rally Raid Championship and Dakar in early 2026.

We tested the Octa on a challenging 4×4 course, guided by an off-road expert and with a novice driver behind the wheel. The focus was on steep ascents, descents, side slopes and water wading.

The Defender 110 Octa’s 4-wheel-drive system and Terrain Response 2 features proved to be intuitively accessible. We found engaging the low-range gearbox and selecting settings like Rock Mode and Wading Mode straightforward, making the entire experience less intimidating.

• Rock Mode not only increases the suspension height – providing class-leading ground clearance – but also makes the traction control and electronic differential locks extremely responsive, ensuring that even a wheel in the air doesn’t stop forward momentum.
• The Hill Descent Control system allows the driver to simply release the brake and let the vehicle automatically manage the descent speed, flawlessly distributing braking force to maintain a straight line over slippery, uneven surfaces.
• The impressive wading depth of 1 metre, a significant improvement over most competitors, was easily demonstrated as the vehicle effortlessly traversed a water crossing with the body elevated in Wading Mode.

The Octa’s multi-terrain ability proved genuinely transformative, boosting the confidence of even the most inexperienced off-roader. It achieves a unique blend of high-end on-road performance with unparalleled off-road capability, demonstrating why this model is positioned as the pinnacle of the Defender brand.

Features & practicality of the Defender 110 Octa

Off-road skillset aside, what is the cabin like to live with? Forget its dirt talents for a second; the Defender provides a great blend of utilitarian practicality and premium touches.

The touchscreen infotainment is one of the best in the business, with a responsive setup and simple, easy-to-navigate interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is seamless, and you’ll soon have your favourite streamed music playing through the high-quality 15-speaker Meridian audio system.

The Defender 110 is a spacious, high-end SUV perfect for four or more adults, and the Octa derivative is no exception. Our test unit came specced with forged carbon-fibre detailing on the seats, which not only looks suitably premium, but feels it too. Rear passengers benefit from individual climate controls, USB connectivity, as well as heated seats.

Land Rover Defender 110 Octa: Price & after-sales support

Land Rover Defender 110 Octa	R3 663 600
Land Rover Defender 110 Octa Black	R3 921 000

The above prices include a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

Verdict

With its thundering BMW-sourced V8 engine, extroverted body kit and 6D Dynamic suspension, the 110 Octa is undeniably the pinnacle of what’s possible from the Defender nameplate. The straight-line performance is ballistic, surpassed only by the anti-social exhausts, and it’s all wrapped in an eminently luxurious package that is effortless to drive, both around town and on the open road.

Should you buy one? Here’s the kicker: even if your bank account is flush and you’re on great terms with your local dealer, trying to find an Octa will be a challenge. See, Land Rover has produced only 2 000 units, of which just 50 examples have been allocated to South Africa. There’s talk of the factory in Slovakia making a few more, as it is a high-interest product, but right now, these things are nearly impossible to find.