2026 Land Rover Defender gets updated tech, design tweaks

The 4×4 SUV gets several revisions, including new front and rear lights, new colours and wheel choices and more.

Land Rover Defender 110 exterior — *The Land Rover Defender is getting some updates for 2026. – Land Rover photo*

Land Rover has updated its Defender for the 2026 model year, with updates seen on the inside and out.

The updates are across the entire range of 90, 110 and 130 body styles, as well as the OCTA model.

Off-road tech updates

Technology upgrades include the addition of an adaptive off-road cruise control that is becoming optional for the first time on the Defender. This system allows the driver to set a comfort level for negotiating rough terrain, while they concentrate on steering. It is said to improve off-road composure and reduce driver effort. The vehicle automatically adjusts the speed to maintain the desired level of comfort over uneven surfaces.

The Defender 130 also gets an optional integrated air compressor so you can adjust tire pressure during multi-terrain driving.

There’s also a new driver attention monitor with a driver-facing camera, which monitors where the driver is looking. This system then provides audio and visual alerts to ensure the driver is paying attention. This system can be adjusted or turned on or off.

Land Rover Defender centre screen — *The Land Rover Defender gets a larger touchscreen for 2026. – Land Rover photo*

Interior updates

The Defender gets a new, larger infotainment touchscreen, now measuring 13.1 inches, and a new centre console design that includes a closed cubby for putting away small items.

The Signature Suite upgrade includes removable side pockets with cable routing so you can charge your electronics without wires sticking out out everywhere.

Land Rover Defender front wheel — *The Defender gets more wheel design choices for 2026. – Land Rover photo*

Exterior updates

The Defender gets a new headlight design with a signature graphic when lit, standard fog lights and new rear lights with smoked lenses.

There are also new front and rear bumpers and a new textured pattern for hood inserts and side vents.

There are new 22-inch, seven-spoke Diamond Turned Dark Grey alloy wheels and the exterior colour palette adds the Woolstone Green and Borasco Grey colours.

Defender OCTA

The OCTA is the top-of-the-line Defender, available in the 110 body style.

For 2026, it gets the new colours of Borasco Green and Sargasso Blue.

Additionally, the OCTA currently has an available matte protective film, but in late 2025, it will gain the Patagonia white matte wrap finish, which is also planned for non-OCTA V8-powered Defenders. It is named for the snow-tipped mountains of Santa Cruz in Arizona, and features a crisp white exterior with a smooth, matte finish, Land Rover said.

OCTA models also get a new textured graphite finish to give it a more rugged appearance.

Buyers can also specify chopped carbon fibre exterior and interior accents, and choose from other personlization options.

Land Rover Defender OCTA interior — *The Land Rover Defender, seen here in OCTA trim, gets a new centre console design. – Land Rover photo*

Body styles

The Defender 90 is a two-door SUV, the Defender 110 has four doors and seating available for five or seven occupants, and the Defender 130 is the largest, offering three rows of seats for up to eight occupants.

The top-of-the-line OCTA model is available in the 110 body style.

Buyers can select a variety of powertrains, from a turbocharged 2-litre four cylinder engine with 296 hp all the way up to the OCTA, which is powered by a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 mild hybrid with 627 hp. Non-OCTA V8-powered models get a supercharged 5-litre engine producing 518 hp.

More vehicle details are available on the Land Rover Canada website.