2026 Land Rover Defender 130

Less is more might be an expression an understated Brit might say. Not so much with the Land Rover Defender 130. In this case, more definitely is more. Meaning more rear passenger room and more cargo space than in any other Defender. Still highly capable, still full of modern amenities and technological advancements, the Defender 130 makes getting there in style with more gear de rigueur. If you’re looking for the perfectly proper overlander, consider the Outbound trim, which deletes those third-row seats, allowing for even more cargo space for gear.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury SUVs, including the Land Rover Defender.

If no news is good news, then a little news is hopefully better. The Defender 130 gets few updates for the 2026 model year, but they’re significant. A larger infotainment screen takes center stage in the interior, and there are new options in the paint and wheel department. The front and rear bumpers, as well as the lighting signature, are both updated.

Depending on size, budget, and how much wandering into the wilderness is really going to happen, alternative highly celebrated off-roading warriors include the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Lexus GX, Toyota Land Cruiser, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Pricing ranges from the low-$30,000s mark to around $360,000 (the G 63 AMG 4×4 Squared).

Before buying a new Defender luxury SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are a little above the class average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

At 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, most Defender seekers opt for the P400 drivetrain, which gives them great power at a relatively affordable price. It also compares well to the Lexus GX (349 hp). You can still opt for less, 296 hp, in the P300.

Driving off-road might not be something you do every day, but rest assured, you’ll be able to regardless. Your daily commute will also be pleasurable as the Defender’s on-road manners and poise impressed us. Unlike the Jeep Wrangler or even the Toyota Land Cruiser, both off-road titans, the Defender easily outclasses both competitors, especially with its optional air suspension. And even if the Defender doesn’t quite approach the cushioned elegance of a Range Rover, we’ve found there’s still great body control and ample refinement.

Fuel Economy

Defender owners can expect to achieve around 20 mpg combined with the 6-cylinder engines. That compares well enough against something like the Lexus GX 550.

The Defender’s interior design looks simultaneously tough and elegant. The exposed hardware, rivets, and screws paired with soft-touch materials and fabrics work well together. Owners get plenty of storage space in the center console, and we love how the gear shifter is positioned perfectly. If you bring the outdoors inside, Land Rover offers optional deep-sided rubber mats to help protect the otherwise premium cabin.

The Defender 130 can seat up to eight occupants. The seats in the first two rows are comfortable, and the third row accommodates larger adult legs adequately.

Another thing to consider in the 130 is cargo space. For a maximum of 46.9 cubic feet, go for the 2-row-only 130 Outbound.

While it might not be as proportionally as pleasing to the eye as the shorter versions, the Defender 130 still goes long on style. It’s boxy, upright shape feels iconic and instantly recognizable. There are excellent heritage features all over this vehicle in addition to it being able to tow and get you anywhere you need to go — yes, even through that river yonder. Beware only of your departure angles as that rear overhang is a doozy.

The 3-row Defender 130 measures out longer than the spacious Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, including the spare wheel attached to the side-opening tailgate. Incidentally, the way the tailgate works is great if you’re a Brit (or Australian, New Zealander, or Japanese) and drive on the left, not so good for Americans because it will open toward the curb.

Infotainment system: Crisp graphics on the touchscreen, quick processing, overall user-friendliness, and a Meridian audio system put this setup high in our general rankings.

Driver assistance: Blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system are standard across the 2026 Defender range. As they should be in a luxury vehicle, we could argue, but we appreciate them all the same.

Clearsight rearview mirror: If the cargo area of the Defender is packed to the ceiling, or if there are several passengers’ heads obscuring rearward vision, this clever mirror will still show a wide-angle view of what’s behind, thanks to a rear-facing camera. We always like the extra confidence it brings. This system is optional in lower trims, but it is standard elsewhere.

Air suspension: Where it’s optional, we think it’s worth the $1,600 to make the Defender more comfortable on the road and more capable off it.

Terrain Response 2: Available as either an option or standard in the upper versions, this system has modes for wading, rock crawling, mud and ruts, grass/gravel/snow, and sand. Land Rover has forged an incredible reputation over the years for conquering all sorts of terrain, and much of that expertise is available at the touch of a button.

There are six possible drivetrains — and if that wasn’t confusing enough, two of them are called P300. Both make 296 hp, but one has four cylinders, the other has six. The smaller unit is standard in the 90 and 110, the other (with a bit more torque) comes in the 130.

The P400 is a good option, a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that’s turbocharged and supercharged to create 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Beyond that, we’re looking at supercharged V8s in the P500 (available in the 110 and 130) and the P525, making 493 and 518 hp, respectively.

Towing figures range from a stout 7,716 pounds to 8,201 pounds, depending on model and drivetrain. Some owner reviews made particular mention of the Defender’s towing talents.

All Defender versions use an 8-speed automatic transmission and have 4-wheel drive (with a high/low transfer case) as standard.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Land Rover’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties both last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. These terms are typical among European automakers.

Safety Ratings

The Land Rover Defender has not been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States, but it did earn a maximum overall score of five stars from Euro NCAP.