Few vehicles on sale today offer the versatility of the Land Rover Defender. The British SUV is uniquely accepted both by off-road enthusiasts and members of the local country club. It’s offered in two- and four-door styles and with three wheelbase lengths and has seating options for up to eight occupants.
2027 Land Rover Defender Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 Land Rover Defender
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 Land Rover Defender
It doesn’t look much different from the outside, but Land Rover has made a number of meaningful updates under the Defender’s skin. The model’s entry-level turbocharged four-cylinder engine has been dropped, as has the optional 5.0-liter V8. A turbocharged inline-six is now the standard engine, while power-hungry buyers can still opt for a twin-turbo V8 engine in the high-performance Octa model. Also new for 2027 are optional second-row captain’s chairs in the Defender 110 model and a Vertex trim level with a sporty body kit that includes a rear spoiler and lower body cladding. If the Vertex is too much, Land Rover also offers a new Extended Exterior Pack with its own muscular body updates and rear spoiler.
Design
The Land Rover Defender SUV looks ready to tackle tough off-road trails right off the showroom floor. Available in two-door 90, four-door 110, and extended 130 styles, Land Rover offers a ton of customization options. The Defender Trophy Edition features an expedition roof rack, a deployable roof ladder, and a raised air intake, while a side-mounted gear carrier can be attached to the Defender, expanding its storage options. The wide-body Defender Octa pairs an extra-powerful V8 engine with a high-tech suspension system and other performance-themed upgrades to occupy the top rung of the Defender’s capabilities on- and off-road. A newly optional Chopped Carbon Fibre Exterior Pack adds extra visual flair to the Octa model.
Powertrain
For 2027, the Land Rover Defender’s standard engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that produces 296 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. A higher-output inline-six is also offered with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. At the top of the range is the Defender Octa and its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 626 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, which is sufficient for a 0-60 run of 3.8 seconds. All Defender variants are fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). Land Rover has not yet released estimated fuel economy figures for the 2027 Defender, but we wouldn’t expect any improvement over the 2026 edition’s best effort of 20 mpg combined. Properly equipped, the Land Rover Defender can tow up to 8,200 pounds.
Interior
The Land Rover Defender’s cabin is well finished, with a design that blurs the line between ruggedness and luxury. The amount of space inside varies by model, with the two-door Defender 90 offering good room for four passengers, the four-door Defender 110 occupying the middle ground, and the long-wheelbase Defender 130 offering the most interior space and three rows of reasonably sized seats. The Defender 90 offers 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Defender 110 can be optioned with a third row, and there’s up to 34.6 cubic feet of space when it's folded. In Defender 130 guise, up to 45.8 cubic feet of space behind the second row makes it the cargo champion of the lineup.
Technology
All Land Rover Defender models feature a 13.1-inch touchscreen at the center of the dash, running the automaker’s Pivi Pro infotainment software. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is wireless device charging. A 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display serves as a gauge cluster directly in front of the driver. Being a Land Rover, the 2027 Defender also comes with technologies designed for use when the pavement ends. Terrain Response with user-selectable modes for various surfaces, hill-launch assist, and hill-descent control are all welcome additions while driving over rocks or in the dirt and mud.
