The '27 Land Rover Defender Ditches the Turbo FourLand RoverThe 2027 Land Rover Defender receives a host of updates, including dropping the previously standard 295-hp 2.0-liter turbo four.Along with a stylish new Vertex trim, Land Rover's bestselling SUV now offers more personalization options, and the 110 body style adds a six-seat configuration.For 2027, the short-wheelbase Defender 90 starts at $62,950, while the 110 and 130 start at $66,950 and $75,950, respectively; the top-spec Octa starts at $160,750.The Land Rover Defender is JLR's bestselling SUV, barely edging out the larger and more expensive Range Rover. Along with offering a wider array of variants, the Defender also caters to people who like to escape urban sprawl and create their own adventures. For the 2027 model year, the lineup adds a new Vertex model, greatly expands the personalization options, and notably gets rid of the previously standard 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.Land RoverBesides the do-everything Octa, with its 626-hp twin-turbo V-8, every Defender body style now features a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that makes 296 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque. While the existing 395-hp turbo six also remains available, it's unclear if the supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 has been axed, since it's not currently available on the consumer site. We reached out to a JLR spokesperson to clarify the powertrain options for 2027, and we'll update this story if we hear back.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat we do know is that the Defender family has added a new member. The new Vertex (pictured here) is similar to the 90-series' X trim level (both start at $90,450), but the former has uniquely styled front and rear bumpers, and the SUV's lower section matches the body color instead of being painted black. A rear spoiler extends from the Vertex's roofline, and the back bumper houses a pair of yellow-painted tow hooks, which match the front brake calipers that peek through new 22-inch wheels. A similar appearance is also available on the X-Dynamic SE trim (110 and 130 series only) with the new Extended Exterior Pack, except you don't get the color-matched bottom section.For those who choose the Defender 110, there's a newly available six-seat configuration. The $1350 option includes second-row captain's chairs and a two-person third row, resulting in a 2+2+2 layout. Land Rover has also expanded the mid-size luxury SUV's color palette, resurrecting the Namib Orange that launched with the 2020 Defender. Plus, the Octa can now be painted Woolstone Green, and you can now further protect every exterior color with the $5450 Gloss Protective Film, previously only a matte option.The entry-level 2027 Land Rover Defender 90 S starts at $62,950, but that climbs to $90,450 for the top-of-the-line Vertex. Meanwhile, the 110 and 130 have base prices of $66,950 and $75,950, respectively, with the Vertex versions starting at $97,950 (110) and $106,950 (130). The Octa has a base price of $160,750, but a fully loaded example can surpass $186K. And all of these prices can be further inflated with Land Rover's cornucopia of factory-installed options, which include a new $760 Tail Door Gear Carrier and $3610 Expedition Roof Light, as well as the existing Adventure, Explorer, and Urban packages.➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029