While remaining rooted in the 1948 Series I, the Defender was first introduced as the Land Rover One Ten – a nod to its 110-inch wheelbase – in 1983 and remained relatively unchanged, famed for its riveted panels, until its discontinuation in 2016. Four years later, the all-new Defender was born, sleeker and more stylish. And it’s not looked back since.
“Production is at full capacity to meet demand, and the latest changes are part of our continuous commitment to make adventures even more satisfying,” says Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender. “Fresh design enhancements, new colours and an expanded range of accessories follow Defender’s comprehensive upgrade last year, ensuring our iconic 4×4 is better than ever.”
Evolution, rather than reinvention, defines the latest Defender line-up. The 110 sits at the heart of the range, flanked by the compact 90 and extended 130, while the heroic Octa leads from the front, pushing performance and off-road prowess to new extremes.
Together, they make for an impressive convoy as we head into Tahorakuri Forest, just outside Taupō, to test the treads and send some mud flying across those sculpted, muscular flanks.
Upgrades across the Defender line-up include a crisp new headlight design with signature detailing, standard fog lights and flush rear lights with smoked lenses. A refreshed palette of contemporary colours, including Woolstone Green (inspired by Woolstone waterfall in the UK) and Borasco Grey (a nod to the Borasco silver mine in California), is paired with upgraded materials and finishes. A new 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen – up from 11.4 inches – sits above a repositioned dash-mounted gear shifter, delivering clearer visuals and more intuitive control for front-row occupants.
The 110 is Aotearoa’s best-selling Defender for good reason, playful and striking the best balance of space, comfort and everyday usability.
That touchscreen certainly comes in handy when crowning some of the steeper sections of the track. With exterior cameras covering all angles, drivers can watch their progress – and avoid obstacles – entirely onscreen rather than through the windscreen! Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control is now available on Defender for the first time, making rough terrain easier to tackle in comfort, while the Defender 130 offers an optional integrated air compressor for quick tyre-pressure adjustments on the move, on the dirt. An evolution of All Terrain Progress Control, the system lets drivers set a preferred comfort level while it automatically manages speed over uneven ground, improving composure off-road and reducing driver effort.
The 90 model – sans air suspension – certainly feels more in tune with the original Defender, sure to please the purists off-road while serving as a decent city option too. The 110 is Aotearoa’s best-selling Defender for good reason, playful and striking the best balance of space, comfort and everyday usability. The 130 is the long-wheelbase tourer of the range, prioritising passenger room and load capacity, making it the most practical choice for families and long, gear-heavy adventures.
And then the glorious Octa is a Defender on steroids.
While each and every one of the previous models boast their very own more-than-capable characteristics, sinking into the Octa feels like a whole new beast…
While each and every one of the previous models boast their very own more-than-capable characteristics, sinking into the Octa feels like a whole new beast (with pricing that begins north of $300,000). The “extreme performance hero” of the Defender family pairs a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 and dedicated Octa off-road mode with a 6D Dynamic air suspension system that replaces traditional anti-roll bars with hydraulically linked dampers to actively control body movement.
The fastest and most capable Defender gains a further revised colour palette, adding Sargasso Blue – its coarse sparkle inspired by the Sargasso Sea – alongside Charente Grey and Petra Copper.
A new Textured Graphite finish further boosts the vehicle’s boldness, lending a matte, metallic edge that underscores its tough-luxury appeal.
From Series I to Octa, the Defender story is one of constant evolution – and the journey is clearly far from over.
GETTING PERSONAL
Explorer, Adventure and Urban packs allow further personalisation, alongside new black-finish Expedition Roof Rack, Cross Bars, Front Undershield and a dark rear scuff plate option.
Deployable or fixed side-steps improve access, while Defender Octa adds a 4,500kg-rated winch and Defender 130 offers an integrated air compressor. Matte black bonnet decals are updated across 90, 110 and 130.
The Defender Journey programme also returns to New Zealand, with guided South Island off-road experiences led by professional instructors.
