2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA Is Here With 626 HP To Challenge Mercedes-AMG's G 63

Courtesy of the peak output of 626 hp (635 ps/467 kW) and 553 pound-foot (750 Nm) of torque (590 lb-ft/800 Nm with launch control) produced by the 4.4L twin-turbo V8, the 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA reaches 62 mph (100 kph) in just 4.0 seconds. Notice that the output and thrust are identical to the F90 BMW M5 CS. Mercedes-AMG's G 63 boasts 577 hp (585 ps/430 kW) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque and is three-tenths of a second slower from 0 to 62 mph.

Land Rover Defenders are famously known for being off-roading beasts, and the new OCTA is no exception. According to the British automaker, it sits 1.1 inches (28 mm) higher and has a 2.7-inch (68 mm) wider stance. It has revised suspension components with longer and tougher wishbones and unique adaptive dampers, so it can take on the great outdoors whenever its driver wants to. Stopping power comes from the Brembo brakes with uprated 15.7-inch (400 mm) discs.

Enabling improved wheel articulation off the beaten path are the 6D Dynamics. The vehicle can automatically detect the surface on which it drives, and it sets up its dynamic settings accordingly. The drive modes were enhanced, and besides the Comfort, the Dynamic Mode offers the ultimate performance-focused on-road experience by tuning the suspension and throttle accordingly with a push of the transparent signature logo button on the steering wheel.

Moreover, a long push of this button accesses the OCTA Mode, which is the model's first-ever dedicated off-road driving mode. It also enables the Off-Road Launch Mode for improved takeoffs on loose or slippery surfaces and engages a unique Off-Road ABS calibration combined with the lowest traction control settings for better braking off the lit path. The Terrain Response Modes (Sand, Mud and Ruts, Gras Gravel Snow, and Rock Crawl) are also on deck.

Differentiating the new Land Rover Defender OCTA from lesser models is relatively easy as it boasts flared wheel arches, a revised face, a new rear bumper, and a two-tone paint scheme with black on the roof and tailgate. Customers can also choose a matte protection film. The new 4x4 uses 33-inch Goodyear All-Terrain rubber, the largest tires ever fitted to a production Defender, and has a four-tailpipe active exhaust system for sonorous drives.

Two new exterior colors were added to the palette. They're called Petra Copper and Faroe Green and join the Charente Gray and Carpathian Gray. The Faroe Green is available exclusively on the Defender OCTA Edition One, alongside the Chopped Carbon Fiber detailing. As mentioned above, all Defender OCTA models sport a Narvik Black glossy look on the tailgate and roof.

Inside, Land Rover mentions the Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather upholstery with Ebony Kvadrat textile trim on the Defender OCTA, which can be specified with the durable Ultrafabrics PU in Light Cloud and Lunar, a feature that's standard on the Edition One (Khaki and Ebony), or semi-aniline leather with an Ebony look. Up front, it has new Performance Seats with integrated headrests and more side bolstering, and this model benefits from the Body and Soul Seat audio technology, a premiere for the Defender.

Are you curious how much Land Rover's first-ever Defender OCTA costs? You won't have to guess, as the automaker has already released the pricing for several markets worldwide.

In the United States, it kicks off at $152,000 before destination, which makes it $31,000 more affordable than the Mercedes-AMG G 63 and $9,000 pricier than the Mercedes-Benz G 550, which also uses a V8 (4.0L bi-turbo), albeit with 416 hp (422 ps/310 kW) and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque, taking 5.6s to reach 60 mph (97 kph). Mind you, in the first year of production, interested parties will have to settle for the 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA Edition One, which starts at $167,800, $15,200 less than the Mercedes-AMG G 63.

In its homeland, the United Kingdom, the Land Rover Defender OCTA has a recommended retail price of £145,300 (equal to $183,890), and for the Defender OCTA Edition One, customers will have to pay a minimum of £160,800 ($203,507). In Australia, the new Defender OCTA kicks off at AU$291,542 (equaling $194,001), plus on-road costs, and the Defender OCTA Edition One at AU$317,592 ($211,335).

So, does Land Rover's new toy for deep-pocketed 4x4 enthusiasts, the 2025 Defender OCTA, live up to the hype, and would you purchase one if given the chance? Tell us what you think about this sporty 4x4 in the comments area below.