Quick Facts
- Headline trim: the new Defender Vertex adds body-color lower cladding, 22-inch wheels, and yellow tow hooks and brake calipers.
- Vertex pricing: $90,450 for the 90, $97,950 for the 110, and $106,950 for the 130.
- Base 2027 Land Rover Defender: the 90 S opens at $62,950, the 110 at $66,950, and the 130 at $75,950.
- Dropped engines: the 296-hp 2.0-liter turbo four and the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 are both gone.
- New standard engine: a 296-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, with a 395-hp six optional.
- Octa flagship: the 626-hp twin-turbo V8 stays, priced from $160,750.
- New six-seat 110: a $1,350 option brings a 2+2+2 captain’s-chair layout.
- Fresh colors: Namib Orange returns, and the Octa gains Woolstone Green.
8 min read
In this article
Overview
The 2027 Land Rover Defender arrives with its biggest shake-up since the current generation launched, and the headline is a new trim called the Vertex. Land Rover confirmed the changes in July 2026, and they reshape the lineup from the engine bay to the paint booth. For off-road buyers, the news splits two ways. On one hand, the range gains a sharper-looking flagship below the Octa. On the other hand, it drops two familiar engines, including the beloved supercharged V8 in lesser trims.
Who is this update for? Mostly, it targets buyers who want Defender style and status without stepping up to the six-figure Octa. The Vertex sits at the top of the mainstream range, so it competes with loaded Broncos, the Ineos Grenadier, and luxury off-roaders like the Lexus GX. Pricing climbs across the board, yet the entry point stays near $63,000 before options.
Because the powertrain menu changed, the buying math changed too. Consequently, if you wanted a V8 in a mid-tier Defender, your window closed. Meanwhile, the new inline-six lineup simplifies the range and should trim running costs. Below, you get the full breakdown, plus a clear read on whether to wait for a 2027 or grab a 2026 while they last. For the wider lineup context, our 2026 Land Rover Defender guide maps every trim and engine.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | 2027 detail |
|---|---|
| New trim | Vertex (90, 110, 130 body styles) |
| Base price (90 S) | $62,950 |
| Vertex price range | $90,450 to $106,950 |
| Standard engine | 296-hp turbo 3.0L inline-six |
| Optional engine | 395-hp turbo inline-six |
| Dropped engines | 296-hp 2.0L four; supercharged 5.0L V8 |
| Octa flagship | 626-hp twin-turbo V8, from $160,750 |
| Six-seat 110 option | $1,350, 2+2+2 layout |
What is the Defender Vertex?
The Defender Vertex is a new appearance-focused flagship for the mainstream range, sitting between the X trim and the Octa. Notably, it borrows the X-trim mechanicals, so both the 90 Vertex and the 90 X open at $90,450. What sets the Vertex apart is the styling. Specifically, Land Rover fits uniquely shaped front and rear bumpers, then paints the lower body section in the body color instead of the usual black cladding.
Look closer and the details stack up. For example, a rear spoiler extends from the roofline, while a pair of yellow-painted tow hooks anchors the back bumper. Those hooks match yellow front brake calipers, which show through new 22-inch wheels. As a result, it reads more street-sharp than trail-ready, so this is a design play first.
Prefer the look without the full package? The 110 and 130 X-Dynamic SE also offer a new Extended Exterior Pack for a similar face, though it skips the color-matched lower body. For readers cross-shopping a rugged icon, the Ineos Grenadier as a Defender alternative takes the opposite, function-first approach.
Engine changes and the V8 question
The powertrain news matters more than the paint. First, Land Rover drops the entry 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for 2027. It also axes the supercharged 5.0-liter V8, which made up to 500 horsepower in the P525 trims. A JLR spokesperson confirmed the V8 deletion to Car and Driver, so the only eight-cylinder Defender left is the Octa.
In their place, every body style now uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six making 296 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque. The stronger 395-hp version of the same six stays on the options sheet. As a result, the range gets simpler and more efficient, though enthusiasts lose the V8 rumble unless they spend big on the Octa.
Speaking of the Octa, the flagship keeps its 626-hp twin-turbo V8 for the US market. So the split is clear. Six-cylinder power covers the volume trims, while the V8 becomes an Octa-only luxury. For buyers who wanted a mid-priced V8 Defender, the 2027 Land Rover Defender closes the door.
2027 Land Rover Defender pricing and trim ladder
Prices rose across the lineup, and the spread is wide. At the bottom, the short-wheelbase Defender 90 S starts at $62,950. Meanwhile, the four-door 110 opens at $66,950, while the long 130 starts at $75,950. Each figure sits before Land Rover’s long list of factory options.
The new Vertex anchors the upper-mainstream tier. It costs $90,450 as a 90, $97,950 as a 110, and $106,950 as a 130. Above all of them, the Octa opens at $160,750, and a loaded example clears $186,000. So a single nameplate now stretches from the low $60,000s to nearly $190,000.
Options inflate those numbers fast. Land Rover added a $760 Tail Door Gear Carrier and a $3,610 Expedition Roof Light, and the existing Adventure, Explorer, and Urban packs carry over. Where the range heads next is also worth watching, since our report on US-built Defender plans covers a possible shift in production and pricing strategy.
New colors, seats, and options
Personalization is a core theme of this update. For example, Land Rover resurrected Namib Orange, a shade first seen on the 2020 Defender, and added Woolstone Green for the Octa. Buyers who want extra paint protection now get a $5,450 Gloss Protective Film, previously offered only in a matte finish.
Practicality improves on the 110. Specifically, a new $1,350 option adds second-row captain’s chairs plus a two-person third row, creating a 2+2+2 six-seat layout. For families who overland, six proper seats with a walk-through center aisle beat the old bench setups on comfort during long hauls.
Notably, none of these touches change the Defender’s core trail hardware, so approach angles, wading depth, and locking differentials stay familiar. Instead, the 2027 changes chase style, personalization, and cabin flexibility. For a broader field of trail-ready rigs at this money, see our picks for the best overland vehicles for 2026.
2027 Land Rover Defender vs the alternatives
The biggest rival question is internal: Vertex or Octa? A Vertex delivers flagship looks and a color-matched body from the low $90,000s, yet it runs the six-cylinder engine. By comparison, the Octa nearly doubles the price for its 626-hp V8 and race-bred suspension. For most trail buyers, the Vertex covers 90 percent of the appeal at roughly 60 percent of the cost.
Defender 90 price ladder
| Trim | Starting price | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| 90 S (base) | $62,950 | 296-hp 3.0L inline-six |
| 90 X and 90 Vertex | $90,450 | up to 395-hp inline-six |
| Octa | $160,750 | 626-hp twin-turbo V8 |
Against outside rivals, the picture shifts by priority. The Ineos Grenadier undercuts a loaded Defender and leans harder into old-school, body-on-frame toughness. A well-optioned Ford Bronco or a Lexus GX 550 Overtrail also lands near Vertex money with strong off-road credentials. So the Defender wins on badge and interior polish, while the Grenadier and Bronco win on value and simplicity.
Buyers weighing a 2026 against a 2027 face a real trade. A leftover 2026 keeps access to the supercharged V8 in mid trims and likely carries a discount. A 2027, by contrast, brings the Vertex look, the six-seat 110, and the fresh colors. Your call comes down to whether V8 sound or new-model features matter more.
Final verdict
Overall, the 2027 Land Rover Defender is a smart, if pricey, evolution aimed at buyers who value design and personalization over raw cylinder count. Its biggest strength is choice. You get a striking new Vertex flagship, a more flexible six-seat 110, and a wider palette, all without touching the Defender’s proven trail hardware.
The trade-offs are real, though. Losing the mid-range supercharged V8 stings, and the price walk pushes a loaded Vertex uncomfortably close to Octa territory. Shoppers chasing outright value or a simpler tool-truck should look at the Grenadier or a loaded Bronco instead.
On value, the Vertex makes sense only if the styling speaks to you, since it costs the same as the mechanically identical X. In contrast, cheaper trims deliver the same go-anywhere ability for pure capability per dollar. The personalization tax is the price of standing out.
Our recommendation is simple. Off-road buyers who want Defender presence and daily polish will find the Vertex compelling, especially in the roomy 110 body. Anyone fixated on V8 power should either budget for the Octa or shop a leftover 2026 before dealers sell through. For a value-first alternative, the Ineos Grenadier remains the sharpest cross-shop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Defender Vertex?
The Vertex is a new 2027 appearance flagship below the Octa. It shares X-trim mechanicals but adds body-color lower cladding, unique bumpers, a rear spoiler, yellow tow hooks and calipers, and 22-inch wheels. Prices run from $90,450 to $106,950.
How much does the 2027 Land Rover Defender cost?
The 2027 Land Rover Defender 90 S starts at $62,950. Its 110 opens at $66,950, while the 130 lands at $75,950. In addition, the Vertex spans $90,450 to $106,950, and the Octa flagship begins at $160,750.
Did the Land Rover Defender lose the V8?
The mainstream Defender lost its supercharged 5.0-liter V8, which made up to 500 horsepower. A JLR spokesperson confirmed the deletion. Only the Octa keeps a V8, using a 626-hp twin-turbo unit for the US market.
What engine does the 2027 Defender use?
Every non-Octa 2027 Defender now uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six making 296 horsepower and 346 pound-feet. A stronger 395-hp version of the same six remains optional. The old 2.0-liter four is gone.
Does the 2027 Defender offer six seats?
Yes. The 110 body style adds a $1,350 six-seat option with second-row captain’s chairs and a two-person third row, forming a 2+2+2 layout. The 130 continues to offer its own three-row seating.
Should you buy a 2026 or wait for the 2027 Defender?
Choose a 2026 if you want the mid-range supercharged V8 or a year-end discount. Wait for the 2027 if the Vertex styling, six-seat 110, or new colors appeal to you. Both share the Defender’s core off-road ability.
Related reading
Pricing and specification confirmed via Land Rover USA and reporting from Car and Driver.