Some automakers go for big design changes regularly, and probably should. Others have traditions to honor and should avoid significant image changes.
The Land Rover Defender is the latter kind of car. You know what it looks like, and a radical redesign would probably be a disappointment. The company understands that. So, for 2026, it sticks to refinements, not reinvention.
The 2026 Defender will once again come in three sizes – 2-row Defender 90, the Defender 110 with its optional (and tight) third row, and the Defender 130 with a third row more suitable for frequent use. Each will get the same set of upgrades, part of a “mid-cycle refresh” meant to update a car’s technology at the midpoint of its production run. The high-performance Defender Octa also returns, with new color choices inside and out.
Incidentally, Land Rover has announced these changes only for European models. However, the company traditionally sells largely identical models in the U.S., so we anticipate the same changes here.
Outside, designers crafted new lighting, front and rear. Up front, they offer “a crisp new headlight design with signature graphic when lit.” Fog lights are now standard equipment. In the rear, tail lights get smoked lenses. Restyled front and rear bumpers can be finished in Silicon Silver or Carpathian Grey Satin.
Inside, the visible change is a new 13.1-inch touchscreen standard on every trim level. The outgoing 2025 model came with a 10-inch screen with an option to upgrade to 11.4 inches.
Buyers can now opt for adaptive off-road cruise control. Land Rover will offer an optional built-in air compressor for changing tire pressure on the go, but only on the 130.
