Definitive review
Published 17 September 2026
Updated 17 September 2026
Land Rover Defender reviews
In-depth expert reviews, first drives and road tests of the Land Rover Defender.
Definitive review
Published 17 September 2026
Updated 17 September 2026
13 Mar 2025
Land Rover Defender Octa (2025) review
Land Rover goes to town on the Defender and gives us the spectacular 635hp Octa.
22 May 2024
Land Rover Defender with BEDEO EV system (in 2005 vehicle) review
BEDEO puts in-wheel electric motor tech in the original Defender, but is it a decision worth making?
18 Dec 2023
Land Rover Defender P400e hybrid (2023) review
Land Rover celebrates its birthday with this very green special edition Defender.
22 Aug 2023
Land Rover Defender 130 (2023) review
Will the new eight-seat Defender 130 be welcomed with open arms by the market?
19 Apr 2022
Land Rover Twisted T-VE electric (2022) review
Twisted has given the classic Land Rover electric power, but does it make sense?
21 Jul 2021
Land Rover Defender V8 (2021) review
Land Rover is on the road to electrification, but it's not going to deprive us of the theatre of a new Defender V8.
15 Jul 2021
Land Rover Defender P400e hybrid (2021) review
We've tested the new plug-in hybrid Land Rover Defender. And it's good.
28 Oct 2020
Land Rover Defender 90 X P400 (2021) review
Our first chance to drive the 'shortie' Land Rover Defender 90, in range-topping X form to boot.
23 Jun 2020
Land Rover Defender 110 SD4 240 (2020) review
This is the first truly new Land Rover Defender in decades - and it lives up to the hype.On test
Land Rover Defender testers' notes
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Land Rover Defender Trophy driving impressions
This is a proper, hard-working, 4x4 tool - a machine for getting into and out of some of the most rugged and inaccessible places on the planet. It is as close to unstoppable as a vehicle can be. If you don't need that kind of capability, perhaps don't buy one. If you do, though, there's little else like it. Irish pricing: Defender starts at circa €101,050; as tested, €128,910.
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Land Rover Defender Trophy boot
Open the huge side-hinged tailgate (it's hinged on the right, and the parking sensors can tell you if you're getting too close to an obstacle behind to be able to open it) and you'll notice the distinct hump in the floor, under which lies the hybrid battery and the 90-litre fuel tank. It's a bit of a shame, but Land Rover still quotes an impressive 835 litres of boot volume. Now, it's worth remembering that Land Rover always quotes its boot volume as loaded to the roof...
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Land Rover Defender Trophy rear-seat passenger space
Space in the back of the Defender is excellent, with plenty of legroom and masses of headroom. In the 110 model, there are also 'Alpine Light' windows in the roof which let in a bit of extra light, while rear-seat passengers get seat-back storage nets, a small storage shelf, door bins, USB-C sockets and some air vents too. Better still, the middle rear seat is actually useable - not as comfortable as the outer two, obviously, but sufficiently wide for even an adult to fit.
Land Rover Defender videos
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Video walk-around of new Defender Octa
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Land Rover Defender video
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Land Rover Defender video
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Land Rover Defender Trophy overview
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