After five years on the market, the Land Rover Defender is ready for an update and, although it’s a minor one, it will likely have a distinct impact. Updated design, new tech, and a new off-road driving assistance system improve the SUV in all the ways that matter to its buyers.
The most visible updates are to the headlights and taillights, which have been reworked to be more subtly incorporated into the bodywork. In addition, the 2026 Defender gets optimized surfaces on the front and rear bumpers that can be optioned in Silicon Silver or Carpathian Grey Stain.
Higher up on the vehicle, the hood inserts and side vents of most Defenders will be finished in a special textured pattern. On the high-performance Octa variant, those elements are finished in Textured Graphite.
The Defender Octa is also available with a new shade of paint called Sargasso Blue (pictured above). The other models in the lineup will also come with new hues, namely Borasco Grey, a metallic grey inspired by a silver mine in California, and Woolstone Green, a deep green that was inspired by the Woolstone waterfall in the U.K.
Inside, the Defender gets a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, which sits on the dash ahead of the shift lever that was repositioned for better ergonomics. Behind it, a new centre console has a sliding section that opens to a cubby, allowing buyers to — get this — store small items!
The most whizzbang of all the improvements is likely the Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control. New to the model lineup, the system automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to (as Land Rover puts it) maintain a driver’s “desired level of comfort over undulating surfaces, for unruffled off-road driving.”
Finally, Defender buyers are offered new accessory packs with which to personalize their purchase. A new black variation of the Expedition Roof Rack, cross bars and front undershield will help the vehicle remain aesthetically cohesive with the now standard black grille, and the rear scuff plate is now available in a dark finish in addition to the current bright one.
Deployable or fixed side steps will also make the Defender easier to get in and out of no matter how tall you are. Meanwhile, it will be easier to get the Defender Octa out of sticky situations thanks to a 4,500-kg winch (9,920 lbs) with a chopped carbon cover. The Defender 130 is also now available with an integrated air compressor to allow drivers to air down their tires (and then air them back up) whenever they like. Buyers will be able to customize their hood with a matte black decal that spells out the vehicle’s name.
The updated Land Rover Defender is on sale now with a starting price of $79,050.