2026 Land Rover Defender

The 2026 Land Rover Defender is one of the automaker's midsize SUV offerings, alongside the conventionally styled three-row Discovery and two-row Range Rover Sport. Its boxy shape is a bid for nostalgia, with the hope of combining the rugged utility of a Jeep Wrangler with the high-end confines you expect from a luxury brand. This is the Land Rover that chased down James Bond in Spectre and No Time to Die — more interested in doing a job than making a statement at an exclusive casino. We don't expect any major changes for the 2026 Defender after a series of updates for 2025. 

Edmunds spotlight: Many different Defenders

The Land Rover Defender can be had as a Wrangler-esque two-door with an optional V8 engine (Defender 90), a four-door two-row model (Defender 110), or a family-friendly long-wheelbase three-row model (Defender 130). You can even get the long-wheelbase model without a third row if you want to prioritize cargo space over people space. And for 2025, Land Rover introduced the Octa, an even more trail-ready Defender that also comes with an exclusive 626-horsepower V8. 

Competitors to consider

The Defender's biggest competition comes from within its own HQ. The three-rwo Discovery is similarly priced but not as boxy or rugged. The Range Rover Sport trades off-road performance for a more luxe interior environment, but it's also extremely expensive. You could also look at the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler if you're more interested in off-road capability than a leather-wrapped interior.

The Land Rover Defender is a charismatic, adventure-ready SUV that stands out in a sea of competent but uninspiring luxury crossovers.