- The 2026 Defender receives mild upgrades in exterior, interior, and tech features.
- Exterior updates include revised lights, new surfacing, and expanded color options.
- Inside, a new 13.1-inch infotainment screen replaces the previous 11.4-inch unit.
Most model year updates are typically minor, but Land Rover is proving otherwise with the 2026 Defender. The rugged SUV now boasts a larger infotainment touchscreen, along with subtle styling tweaks, new tech, and an expanded range of accessories. It’s worth noting that just a year ago, the Defender received a streamlined lineup and more premium features, though it still hasn’t undergone a full facelift.
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Exterior Tweaks for a Sharper Look
Starting with the exterior, all Defender variants — including the 90, 110, and 130 body styles — now feature slightly redesigned LED headlight graphics, flush taillights with a dark-tinted finish, and standard fog lights. The front and rear bumpers get new surfacing, and the gloss black grille-bar is now standard. The hood inserts and side vents also sport a new textured pattern, replacing the old checker-plate plastic from the previous model.
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The color palette now includes Woolstone Green and Borasco Grey, along with a new option for 22-inch, seven-spoke alloy wheels finished in Dark Grey. For the Defender OCTA, the performance flagship with the twin-turbo V8, Land Rover offers the striking Sargasso Blue shade, along with tactile Textured Graphite detailing and Chopped Carbon Fibre accents inside and out. Additionally, a Patagonia White Matte Wrap exterior will be available for all V8-powered Defenders starting in late 2025.
Overall, the styling updates are subtle enough that you’d need a side-by-side comparison to spot the differences with the outgoing model. Still, they do enhance the finer details of the SUV, especially considering it’s not a full facelift.
A Bigger Screen and Better Usability
Inside, the big news is the new 13.1-inch touchscreen, up from the previous 11.4-inch unit. The rest of the interior is largely unchanged, though the gear shifter has been slightly repositioned for better ergonomics. There’s also a new sliding section and deeper stowage area in the center console, along with removable side pockets for those who don’t need a center jump seat. It’s all small stuff, but it adds up to a more practical and user-friendly cabin.
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On the tech front, the 2026 Defender can be equipped with optional Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control, an upgraded version of the All Terrain Progress Control. There’s also a new Driver Attention Monitor, which provides audio and visual alerts, though, if you’re feeling rebellious, you can turn them off.
Last but not least, the company has expanded the available accessories. Besides the Explorer, Adventure, and Urban Packs, individual accessories such as roof racks, cross bars, underbody protection are now available with a dark finish. Other options include deployable or fixed side steps, updated matte black hood decals, a winch with a chopped carbon fiber cover for the OCTA, and an integrated air compressor for the Defender 130.
The 2026 Land Rover Defender is already available for order in the UK, with prices starting at £57,135 ($77,200). We’ll likely hear more about availability in other markets, including North America, in the near future..
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