Climb up into the cab of the 2026 Land Rover Defender OCTA, and you'd be forgiven for missing the memo, at least up front. The OCTA is supposed to be the brand's most extravagant, ridiculous, over-the-top off-roader, but it isn't immediately apparent from the driver's seat. Push the start button, which is the same as you get in the standard Defender, and all that changes.The car idles differently. It sits differently. The details, those start to emerge too. That little button on the steering wheel isn't there in the standard ones. The bolsters feel tighter on the seat, and the idea snaps into focus. This is supposed to be the ultimate Defender, and after a closer look around the cabin, it starts to feel it.Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.Powertrain And Driving Experience: 10/10Chase BierenkovenThe Defender OCTA, as the name implies, is all about that V8. It's a twin-turbo unit, mated to a four-wheel drive system with two locking differentials (one center and one rear). It makes an astonishing 626 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, and you feel every bit of it. A special OCTA drive mode, accessed through that wheel-mounted button, transforms the experience.The V8 goes from quiet background noise to obnoxiously loud in an instant; the shifts tighten, and the traction control backs off. Pick up the throttle early on a corner exit (both on and off-road), and the OCTA will ease into a slide. It's hilarious, but I wish the V8 were a bit more aural in the cabin. Those cheesy pops and bangs sound like distant fireworks, not the tiny explosions they do from the exterior.Of course, all the off-road capability you'd expect is there. The standard Defender's software-driven approach to off-roading is still in full effect, with custom drive modes and all the sensors and cameras you could ever want. With huge all-terrain tires backing it up, it's really just a matter of how long you'll need to get over an obstacle or up a trail, not whether the OCTA can or not.Shopping for a new car? Click here to get a great deal on your next vehicle. Powered by Carvana, no haggle pricing, 100% online.Interior And Technology: 9/10Chase BierenkovenThere's a lot of carryover from the standard Defenders inside, but a few things do stand out, first and foremost, that OCTA button on the wheel. The seats, too, are different. These should be in every Defender, and the lateral support they provide is something the rest of the lineup sorely lacks. The suede headliner is a nice touch, too.The OCTA button is the only one you need.Chase BierenkovenThe rest of this stuff is standard Defender, which is to say, solid. I love the variation in materials, and the Meridian sound system is pretty strong for what is billed as an off-roader. There's a lot of features buried in the new 13.1-inch screen, and I'd like Land Rover to further lean into the physical switchgear. That aside, the Defender's interior is seriously good, and doubly so with those great OCTA-specific buckets.Exterior Design: 10/10Chase BierenkovenI'm an unabashed Defender apologist, at least from an aesthetics point of view. Very, very few cars get the whole "modern-retro-callback" look right, and I think only the Z does a better job of it than the Defender.Of course, OCTA models get all their own special touches on top. That OCTA badge seen on the steering wheel drive mode button is scattered throughout, as are the bronze accents. I think they go great with this matte blue paint. OCTAs also get their own unique front and rear fascias with amber accents up front. It's a meaner look than the standard Defenders, and one that lends itself to the more purposeful nature of the SUV.Cargo, Towing And Hauling: 9/10Chase BierenkovenFor an SUV of its size, the 110 delivers impressive performance in towing and hauling. The SUV can pull up to 8,200 pounds, and its huge trunk makes it ideal for long trips off-road. I particularly enjoy the fold-flat seats, which greatly enhance the usability of the cargo area. There are also some more thoughtful touches in the back, like a dedicated independently controlled air vent and a strap on the C pillar that can be used to hold smaller items like water bottles or tethers.Pricing And Value: 6/10Chase BierenkovenThere's no way around this: the OCTA is absurdly expensive. The lineup starts at $160,250, while the Black starts at $170k. The only true alternative in this segment is the inline-six-powered Mercedes G-Class, which starts at $155,250. While both can easily skyrocket in price, we do have to concede that the Defender at least offers more power and a V8, though the Mercedes' luxurious interior is still impossible to beat.Verdict: 9/10Chase BierenkovenIf you've got the cash, the Defender OCTA is maybe the most extreme SUV you can buy outside true exotics like the Urus or Bentley Bentayga. The giant BMW-sourced V8 is relentless, and hitting a sub-4 0-60 time in a car that is coming up on 6,000 pounds is truly impressive. The off-road capability is matched by the SUV's outstanding performance. Put simply, there may not be a cooler, more lavish way to climb rocks.
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