Land Rover Defender OCTA review

Driving position

Although there are some differences in ride height between the performance OCTA edition and more sedate versions of the Defender, it feels just the same from a positioning point of view.

You sit really high – like, really high – just to remind you that this is both one of the most premium products on the road and one of the most capable off the road.

It’s actually a little higher (28mm) than the regular Defender because of its rugged looks and extreme tyres, so you’ll feel even more in control.

The seats themselves differ from the regular Defender, which has supremely thick cushioning. These are a little bit firmer and more supportive, but no less comfortable. They have integrated headrests and endless adjustment, electrically, of course.

While some bucket seats can feel a bit unforgiving and impersonable, the OCTA's Performance Seats strike the perfect balance between the character of bucket seats and the comfort you’d expect in a premium car.

Although outward visibility is strong, you’ll still need to bear in mind the wider body. This is especially noticeable around town and when parking, because the wheel arches stick out further than you might expect.

Still, driver aids like a 360-degree parking camera and a digital rear-view mirror make light work of plugging the visibility gaps.

– Read our regular Land Rover Defender review

Tech and features

Land Rover Defender OCTA trims

– OCTA

– OCTA Black

Ordinarily, you’d have a pick of ‘90’, ‘110’ and ‘130’ body styles (each number representing vehicle length and internal space), as well as a choice of trim levels like variants of S, SE and HSE.

The OCTA does things differently, because it’s an all-or-nothing performance model for the ‘110’ variant only. Think of it like the VW Golf’s GTI – it’s halfway between a trim level and a model in its own right.

Despite the rugged and utilitarian feel, the Defender OCTA’s clad with premium leather and soft-touch materials inside.

The 13.1-inch touchscreen is arguably one of the best in the industry, so if you’ve got the interiors of old Land Rovers stuck in your head, be prepared to be blown away.

The Pivi Pro system offers CarPlay/Android Auto as standard and a mighty 700W, 14-speaker Meridian sound system with 3D effects for the best quality. We’d probably turn it right down, roll down the windows, and listen to the V8, though...

A sliding panoramic sunroof, Matrix LED adaptive headlights and 14-way adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation are also standard.

We won’t bore you with the entire spec sheet, but suffice to say the Defender OCTA’s fully loaded. OCTA Black models are more of a ‘black pack’ upgrade than a tech overhaul.

Engines and power

Land Rover Defender OCTA performance stats

– Power: 537hp or 635hp

– 0-62mph: 3.8 to 4.2 seconds

– Top speed: Up to 155mph

– Driven wheels: All-wheel drive (AWD)

Land Rover describes the OCTA as a car for “adventures of extreme proportions.” The regular petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines are already perfectly matched to this car’s weight and size, covering all bases on and off-road, but the OCTA turns the dial up to 11, or 12.

Under the bonnet lies a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 BMW engine, badged P540, with 537hp on tap, or up to 635hp in some earlier models.

It’s enough for 0-60mph in 3.8 to 4.2 seconds, which is mind-boggling in a much smaller electric car, but for something of this size and weight (over 2,500kg) to shift that fast is a whole other ball game.

Handling and ride comfort

The OCTA feels every bit as normal when you’re going about your daily life, pottering around town. The V8 is quiet, gear changes are smooth and the mild hybrid system keeps noise and emissions to a minimum at a standstill.

It might be a whole 68mm wider and 28mm taller than your average Defender 110, but the OCTA arguably feels more agile because of its sportier tuning.

For example, a dedicated OCTA drive mode stiffens everything up and wakes the exhausts up, so you can have your cake and eat it.

Potholes? What potholes? All Defenders including this one drive over the worst of British roads without batting an eyelid.

We also tried the Defender OCTA off-road and found its air suspension to totally mask all the imperfections of muddy ruts and tree roots.

What we’re trying to say is, the Land Rover Defender OCTA is suitable for every drive, wherever you are.

Boot space

Land Rover Defender OCTA boot space:

– Boot space: 786 litres

– Incl. rear seats folded: 1,875 litres

Boot space is unchanged in the Defender OCTA compared with any other version of the Defender 110.

Behind the side-hinged door is a mammoth 786-litre space, which is about 200 litres more than a regular family SUV and around twice as much as a regular hatchback.

It’s the actual shape that makes it more useful, though, because a 1,160mm width between the rear wheelarches means you can fit some pretty big shopping hauls in the back. Because, you know, the ride to Costco requires a very powerful V8 with unbeatable off-road capabilities.

We’re not so much of a fan of the side-hinged boot, though, because it means you can’t park too closely to a wall or you won’t get in. Or you’ll have to pull in front-ways, but we all know reverse parking is the way to go.

Rear seats

As a ‘110’ model, this is a strict five-seater, so there are no six- or seven-seat variants available. What that does mean is that rear-seat space is plentiful.

Official figures quote 1,025mm of headroom and 975mm of legroom in the back. There’s no other way of saying this – your passengers will be fine.

They won’t get the same sports seats as the driver and front passenger, but seat comfort is excellent back here too.

Storage solutions

It might be a bit of a Chelsea tractor these days, but the Defender has true agricultural (and military) roots, so it’s got immensely practical underpinnings.

Some standout features include the full-width dashboard shelf, large door bins and hidden storage in the centre console.

There’s also a three-pin socket in the back, just like at home, if you have the urge to charge something up that can’t be powered by the many USB-C ports.

Land Rover Defender OCTA dimensions

– Height: 1,995mm

– Width: 2,064mm (door mirrors folded)

– Length: 5,003mm

– Kerb weight: Up to 2,510kg

Towing

The Defender OCTA can tow 3,000kg of braked trailer weight, which is slightly below the 3,500kg maximum weight for certain versions but it’s more than your average caravan or boat.

Towing assistance via the screen and an optional electrically deployable tow bar make it as easy as it should be in a Defender.

Safety

Standard safety kit includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition, but there are also driver aids like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.

All of this was compounded to get the Defender 110 a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it launched, and this applies to the OCTA.

Fuel economy

This is quite possible the only area where the Defender OCTA falls short of expectations, but then again, would you expect a petrol V8 to be getting 40mpg?

Official figures stand at 21.3mpg, and unless you’re flooring it from every set of lights (very tempting), you’ll have no problem getting this figure.

Standard-fit mild hybrid tech improves efficiency around town in stop-start traffic, so that lessens the difference between town and motorway MPG figures.

Reliability

The general Defender scores well in reliability surveys, so don’t be fooled by previously poor Land Rover reliability scores because the company has done excellent work in addressing those niggles.

The BMW-sourced V8 also has a long-running history from a brand known for its high-quality engineering.

Don’t forget, if you’re buying used you can also add cinchServicing to help keep costs more manageable while looking after your car long-term.