Skip to main content

Defender OCTA: Introducing the tough luxury high-performance hero

The Defender OCTA takes no prisoners in its claims of off-road superiority

Land Rover Defender OCTA descending a rocky slope.
Jaguar Land Rover’s Defender brand launched the Defender OCTA, which the company describes as the most dynamically accomplished Defender vehicle ever created. Defender previewed the OCTA earlier this year, but now that a series of global preview events are completed, prospective buyers can place their orders.

Why the Defender OCTA matters

Land Rover Defender OCTA driving on a dirt road in field and forest.
Jaguar Land Rover / Jaguar Land Rover

Defender executives praised the OCTA as a hero for the brand, calling it the toughest, most capable, and most luxurious model in the family, with the most powerful engine ever. According to Mark Cameron, Defender Managing Director, “With New Defender OCTA we have been able to unlock the full potential of Defender.”

“With its powerful V8 engine, ground-breaking 6D Dynamics suspension technology, exquisite finishes and unique detailing, it is rare, incredibly tough and inherently desirable,” Cameron continued.

Those are bold statements, but with the virtual flood of off-road SUVs available, Defender is standing its ground to protect its place in the luxury sporting vehicle space.

The Defender OCTA backs up its claims

Land Rover Defender OCTA driving in a stream with water up to the headlights.
Jaguar Land Rover / Jaguar Land Rover

Defender spares no superlatives, crowning the OCTA as “the new master of high performance on—and off-road.” Performance starts with powertrains, and the Defender OCTA delivers. The SUV’s 4.4-liter Twin Turbo mild-hybrid V8 puts out 626 hp and up to 553 lb-ft of torque from 1,800 to -6,000 RPM. In Dynamic Launch Mode, the OCTA can accelerate from 0-to-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds.

The OCTA’s 6D Dynamics intelligent suspension pitch and roll control manages its reworked chassis components to maintain high-performance levels on widely varying surfaces and conditions. The new OCTA Mode and dedicated anti-lock braking and launch control enable the Defender’s full off-road prowess.

During the first production year, a Defender OCTA Edition One will include a luxurious appearance bundle with a new paint option and Chopped Carbon Fiber detailing.

The 2025 Defender OCTA starts at $153,475, and the Defender OCTA Edition One starts at $169,275. Both prices include destination and handling fees.

Land Rover Defender OCTA interior
Jaguar Land Rover / Jaguar Land Rover
Topics
Bruce Brown
A Digital Trends Contributing Editor and Contributor for TheManual.com, Bruce Brown writes e-mobility reviews and covers…
Volkswagen launches two high-performance Golf R models and a special edition
The original hot hatch is hotter than ever.
2025 vw Golf R Black Edition.

Volkswagen launched the 2025 VW Golf R with two models sure to please hot hatch enthusiasts worldwide. The most powerful Golf versions ever, the Golf R and Golf R Variant, produce 328 horsepower, 14 hp more than the 2024 model. VW also introduced a new R-Performance option for both Golf R versions plus a special Golf R Black Edition.
Why Golf R models are important

Volkswagen invented the hot hatchback category with the 1976 VW Golf GTI. It's hard to believe it's been nearly 50 years. During those decades, Volkswagen introduced additional performance-focused hatchbacks, such as the GTI Autobahn and the Golf R.

Read more
2025 Audi Q8 RS and Q8 RS Performance: Unleashed powerful SUVs
One of these cars holds the record as the fastest SUV at the Nürburgring.
2025 audi q8 rs and performance parked on a helicopter landing pad with mountains in the background

Audi unleashed its two most powerful gas-powered SUVs, the 2025 Audi Q8 RS and Q8 RS Performance. Adding two additional layers of potency to the already mighty Audi Q8, the RS variants offer choice to those willing to pay the extra price. The Q8 RS Performance is not a track car but see below for its record-setting run at one of the most famous circuits in the world.
Why the Audi Q8 RS and Q8 RS Performance matter

The Audi Q8 RS and the new-for-2025 Q8 RS Performance are both products of Audi Sport GmbH. The Audi Sport division is responsible for high-performance road cars, custom vehicles, and most motorsports. Audi Formula Racing GmbH handles the Audi Formula One team, which will begin competing in 2026.

Read more
Subaru unveils performance-tuned 2025 Subaru WRX tS
The highly-tuned performance-focused 2025 Subaru WRX tS details are here
2025 Subaru WRX TS left front three-quarter view inside a warehouse.

I had no idea Suburu was into racing until I learned about the Subaru Motorsports USA division and its consistent success in American Rally Association (ARA) races. That also explains why Subaru sells the performance-focused Subaru WRX compact sports sedan along with its more conventional all-wheel drive sedans and SUVs that are particularly popular across the U.S. northern snow belt states. Subaru recently unveiled the details on the 2025 WRK tS, the most-tricked-out version of the compact sedan that's always ready to rally.
Why the 2025 Subaru WRX tS matters

Desert racing, snow drifting, and all variations of rally racing attract WRX fans and drivers. Subaru Motorsports USA fields two ARA teams with a solid history of winning championships. The biggest share of Subaru's target market may seek reliable go-anywhere family vehicles, but there's also a lively performance-focused segment that favors the WRX, especially the more tricked-out versions.
Performance-focused upgrades with the 2025 Subaru WRX tS

Read more