MAHWAH, NJ – JULY 8, 2026: Defender has released a new character for a different type of adventure. New Defender Vertex introduces fresh exterior features to bring even more refined ruggedness to the iconic Defender without compromising capability.  

The new specification is joined by a range of other upgrades that make the unstoppable 4x4 more usable than ever – the perfect companion for every adventure. An Extended Exterior Pack, new finishes, additional accessory options, revised powertrain line‑up, six‑seat configuration and a new theme for Trophy Edition provide more choice for Defender clients, celebrating individuality and adapting to every lifestyle. 

Defender Vertex 

Defender Vertex sits alongside X specification, taking tough luxury to new heights, for both life in the city and outdoor exploration. Rugged new extended front and rear bumpers, larger front profiled grille and revised fog lamps, give Vertex a bolder profile and more muscular stance, and are finished in Shadow Atlas Matte. A Gloss Black tail door spoiler pairs with contrasting yellow front brake calipers and matching yellow exposed rear recovery eyes to make a statement in the working week and on weekend escapes. 

Defender Vertex also adds eye‑catching body‑colored lower body cladding to visually lower the profile and elongates the bodyside, increasing its on‑road presence. New 22‑inch, Diamond Turned, Satin Dark Grey tinted wheels with Carpathian Grey contrast are standard, with optional 22‑inch Gloss Black or 20‑inch Satin Dark Grey wheels also available. 

The new specification is available in Fuji White, Santorini Black, Woolstone Green, Borasco Grey and Carpathian Grey, as well as the Patagonia White Matte Wrap – inspired by the peaks of the South American landscape. All paints are available with Matte Protective Film and for the first time a Gloss Protective Film can also be added for even greater durability. Inside, clients can choose from Windsor Leather and Forged textile seats – available in either Ebony or Caraway/Ebony – or Ultrafabrics™ seats in Light Cloud/Lunar.  

Ebony Forged textile is a new accent material for Defender, providing tactile durability made from knitted 100 percent polyester material. For complete comfort, three‑zone Climate Control, Cabin Air Purification Plus, Air Quality Sensor and domestic plug socket are all standard on 90 and 110, upgraded to four‑zone Climate Control on 130.  

Extended Exterior Pack 

Inspired by Vertex, the new Extended Exterior Pack is available as an optional visual upgrade to X‑Dynamic SE.

New extended front and rear bumpers finished in Shadow Atlas Matte create a bolder, more muscular front and rear profile, alongside the rear spoiler and body‑colored Spare Wheel Cover.  

The pack is also available with a choice of four wheel options: a new 22‑inch Gloss Black wheel, a 20‑inch Satin Dark Grey option, 20‑inch Diamond Turned wheels with Gloss Dark Grey contrast and a 20‑inch Gloss Black variant.  

Trophy Edition  

Reborn in 2025, Defender 110 Trophy Edition celebrates the brand’s rich history of adventure challenges and includes expedition‑ready accessories such as an Expedition Roof Rack, Deployable Roof Ladder, and Raised Air Intake1. Now, Trophy Edition is offered in Santorini Black, a bold look inspired by the dark sands of the Greek island, replacing Keswick Green and providing a subtle alternative to the existing heritage‑inspired Deep Sandglow Yellow.  

Beyond its exterior color, Defender 110 Trophy Edition includes steel‑style 20‑inch Gloss Black wheels, Black brake calipers and Satin Black powder coated steering wheel spokes. Trophy side graphics and hood decals are accented in Sandglow Yellow, while the illuminated metal treadplates and dashboard etching display Trophy Edition branding.  

For complete personalization, clients can choose between three interior color customizations. As standard, Trophy Edition features Ebony Windsor Leather seats with Ebony Morzine headlining and Cross Car Beam in Deep Sandglow Yellow powder coat. Alternatively, clients can also choose optional Caraway Windsor Leather seats, with Ebony Morzine headlining, and Cross Car Beam in Satin Black powder coat finish, or Light Cloud Windsor Leather seats with Light Cloud Morzine headlining and Cross Car Beam in Light Cloud powder coat (available only on the Defender Trophy Edition Santorini Black trim). 

For the ultimate off‑road adventure, the Trophy Edition Accessory Pack includes the Expedition Roof Rack providing additional stowage space for gear‑laden journeys, while a Black Deployable Roof Ladder makes it easier to access kit stored overhead. A Gloss Black Side‑Mounted Gear Carrier provides extra space for muddy, wet or sandy items and a Raised Air Intake aids dust filtration. 

Defender OCTA 

Defender OCTA remains the master of extreme performance, everywhere. Engineered to excite, Defender OCTA is the toughest, most capable Defender ever, with a Twin Turbo mild‑hybrid V8, 6D Dynamics suspension and OCTA Mode. It blends on‑road composure and off‑road capability with a wider stance, a choice of dedicated all‑season or off‑road tires and optional Chopped Carbon Fiber interior and exterior elements.   

Defender OCTA is also now available in Woolstone Green, alongside the existing color palette of Sargasso Blue, Borasco Grey, Patagonia White Matte Wrap, Charente Grey, Petra Copper and Narvik Black.  

Both Defender OCTA and OCTA Black have a Gloss Black Tail Door Spoiler providing a subtle nod to its performance as standard, while the Chopped Carbon Fiber Exterior Pack is an option on OCTA Black for the first time.  

Revised color palette and finishes 

Adding to the personalization options, Defender has introduced a new color choice – Namib Orange, which is inspired by the striking orange sand dunes of the coastal Namib desert in Southern Africa, home to the launch of new Defender in 2020. The new color is available for 90 and 110 body designs for S, X‑Dynamic SE, and X. 

Namib Orange can also be specified with the new Extended Exterior Pack on Defender X‑Dynamic. In addition, the Patagonia White Matte Wrap is now also offered on X and Vertex, in addition to Defender OCTA. 

As part of the refreshed color palette, Defender is now offered with up to 15 exterior color options, while a new Gloss Protective Film adds aesthetic appeal and durability. Previously only available in Matte finish, the self‑healing film provides protection from scratches, stone chips and scuffs and harnesses the sun’s UV rays to repair micro‑scratches over time.  

New six‑seat layout 

A game‑changer for families and weekend adventurers is the six‑seat configuration newly available for Defender 110, in a range of color and trim combinations including the new Forged Textile. The 2+2+2 layout brings two luxurious Captain Chairs into row two. Each offers extra contouring, bolster cushions, individual armrests, manual recline function, and twin floor cupholders behind the center console.  

The configuration also improves access to row three, increases legroom for all rear passengers, and provides convenient luggage space between the Captain Chairs.  

Adventure‑ready accessories 

Defender introduces a raft of factory‑fit accessories for further customization including a Tail Door Gear Carrier and roof mounted spoiler options(1).

The Expedition Roof Light(1),(4), provides additional overhead lighting in the wilderness. Purpose‑built for Defender and engineered to withstand extreme dust and water exposure, the light delivers a combined 9,000 lumens, providing up to 350m (1,148 ft) of illumination when combined with the Defender vehicle’s main headlights. The Expedition Roof Light(1),(4) is integrated with the standard lighting system to allow operation via the main light stalk for effortless control in the harshest environments. The vehicle is pre‑wired for the Expedition Roof Light(1),(4) for efficient installation.  It integrates with the standard lighting system to allow operation via the main light stalk for effortless control in the harshest environments

Finished in Gloss Black with bold Defender script, the tail‑door‑mounted gear carrier(1) provides up to 60 liters (2.12 cu ft.) of lockable storage using the supplied key. It has a 12kg (26.5lb) load capacity, offering valuable extra space for equipment while maintaining the iconic Defender silhouette.  

The Defender Tail Door Spoiler(1) (standard on Vertex and part of the Extended Exterior Pack) offers a purposeful visual uplift to the vehicle. Finish options include Gloss Black, Fuji White and Santorini Black, or a primed finish for a complete body‑color customization. 

Clients can also opt for accessory packs that showcase Defender in its natural habitats. For conquering uncharted landscapes, the Explorer Pack(1) features expedition roof rack, exterior side‑mounted gear carrier, raised air intake, front and rear mudflaps and deployable roof ladder.  

The Adventure Pack(1) is ready for adventures and includes an integrated air compressor, portable rinse system, front and rear mudflaps and exterior side‑mounted gear carrier. 

The Urban Pack(1), designed for life in the concrete jungle, adds a distinctive bonnet decal, black fixed side steps, and dark rear scuff plate.  

Connected convenience 

The powerful new in‑car connected speech service gives Defender clients the freedom to go anywhere with confidence. With AI‑driven conversational intelligence, it makes voice interactions with the vehicle more natural, more effortless and more human. 

Always on standby and activated by “Hey Land Rover,” users can speak naturally, follow up without repeating themselves, and enjoy intuitive interactions using everyday language. With answers powered by generative AI, the system unlocks smarter conversations – from quick meal ideas to travel inspiration or even short stories – enabling exploration and independence in any environment.  

Further enhancing the Defender vehicle’s connected convenience is the new Technology Pack(1), which brings together the most popular features enjoyed by Defender clients around the world and is now available on S and X‑Dynamic SE.

Designed to enhance interior comfort, the pack includes head‑up display, MeridianTM Surround Sound System and Clear‑Sight Interior Rearview Mirror(2).  

Updated powertrain

As part of the refresh, a new petrol 3.0‑liter six‑cylinder P300(3) powertrain producing 346 ft‑lbs. (470Nm) of torque replaces the 2.0‑liter four‑cylinder P300.