Defender 2026: A Subtle Facelift for an Off-Road Icon with a Growing Price Tag

Land Rover has refreshed its cult off-roader, the Defender. Nothing revolutionary, but enough to make longtime “Deffie” fans eye their wallets once again. The updated version comes with modest visual tweaks and a heap of new tech, particularly for those who like to feel at home even in a mud pit.

From the outside, the changes are understated: the familiar semi-circular headlights remain, now with a light animation. Gloss-black wheel covers, smoked taillights and new color options—Woolstone green and Borasco grey—lend the model a contemporary flair without stripping away its rugged charm.

The vehicle still comes in three classic formats—90, 110 and 130—as well as a new extreme variant, the OCTA. The latter adds a dark Sargasso Blue paint, carbon fiber accents and the option to gear up for the Dakota rally. Forged 20-inch wheels, a winch, matte wrap and custom features are all available, budget permitting.

Inside, there’s now a 13.1-inch touchscreen (up from 11.4 inches), a redesigned center console and a fatigue detection function for the driver. But the real treat is the new off-road cruise control—essentially the next evolution of All Terrain Progress Control. You set the speed and lift your feet; the system does the rest, managing terrain, braking, throttle and four-wheel drive. Even adventure is now half-automated.

Of course, all this comes at a price. And not a small one. In the UK, the Defender starts at £57,000. Then again, if you want an SUV that handles both London traffic and Saharan dunes with equal ease, you’d better be ready to open your wallet.