2025 Defender Octa India review: Hardcore performance SUV
The 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA arrives in India as the most extreme, performance-oriented Defender ever built. It redefines the brand’s off-road legacy with muscular styling, cutting-edge suspension, and a twin-turbo V8 mild-hybrid engine that pushes the boundaries of what an SUV can do. Here’s our comprehensive review of the 2025 Defender OCTA, focusing on performance, design, features, tech, off-road capabilities, and its positioning in the Indian luxury SUV market.
Powertrain & Performance: Supercharged Muscle Meets Off-Road Mastery
At the heart of the Defender OCTA lies a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine developed in collaboration with BMW. The inclusion of a 48V mild-hybrid system enhances low-end torque, fuel efficiency, and throttle responsiveness.
Key Performance Specs:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 MHEV |
| Max Power | 635 hp (641 PS) |
| Peak Torque | 750 Nm (800 Nm with launch) |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.0 seconds |
| Transmission | 8-speed ZF automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD with active rear diff |
This makes the Defender OCTA the most powerful Defender ever produced, delivering supercar performance in a rugged SUV body. The acceleration is brutal, yet composed, and the torque delivery is seamless across terrains.
Off-Road Engineering: Built to Conquer All Terrains
The OCTA variant takes off-road capability to new heights with 6D Dynamics suspension, a first for Land Rover. This system uses hydraulic interlinked dampers that eliminate pitch and roll under acceleration, braking, and cornering — both on and off-road.
Off-Road Highlights:
- Ground Clearance: Up to 295 mm (expandable via air suspension)
- Water Wading Depth: 1,000 mm
- Approach Angle: 40°
- Departure Angle: 42°
- Hill Descent Control & Terrain Response 2
- Electronic Active Rear Differential
Whether it’s rock crawling, dune bashing, or river fording, the Defender OCTA is engineered to perform like no other performance SUV in its class.
Exterior Design: Aggressive and Functional Styling
Land Rover gives the Defender OCTA a more aggressive stance with octagonal-themed bodywork, widened fenders, and a more upright grille.
Design Features:
- Exclusive 22-inch forged wheels
- Wider track for improved stability
- Redesigned bumper with integrated winch mount
- Optional Matte Paint Finish
- Signature ‘OCTA’ badging on fenders and tailgate
The look is functional and intimidating, designed for performance both on tarmac and trail.
Interior & Luxury: Bespoke Craftsmanship Meets Utility
Inside, the Defender OCTA balances bespoke luxury with a utilitarian ethos.
| Interior Highlights | Description |
|---|---|
| Octa Performance Seats | Heavily bolstered with integrated headrests |
| Material Options | Windsor leather, Ultrafabric™, Kvadrat™ blend |
| Infotainment | 11.4-inch Pivi Pro with over-the-air updates |
| Audio | Meridian 700W surround system |
| Digital Driver Display | 12.3-inch customizable cluster |
| Climate Control | Four-zone with air quality filtration |
The cabin is rugged yet refined, equally suited to luxury commutes and mountain trails.
India-Specific Launch Details and Pricing
The 2025 Defender OCTA has been confirmed for India with limited allocations.
| Variant | Estimated Ex-Showroom Price (India) |
|---|---|
| Defender OCTA Base | ₹2.60 Crore |
| Defender OCTA Edition One | ₹2.85 Crore |
Bookings are open via Land Rover India’s official network, with deliveries expected to begin by Q4 2025. The Edition One variant features exclusive badging, bronze accents, and top-tier options bundled in.
Comparison with Other Performance SUVs in India
| Model | Engine | Power | 0–100 km/h | Price (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defender OCTA | 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 MHEV | 635 hp | 4.0 sec | ₹2.6–₹2.85 Cr |
| Lamborghini Urus S | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 | 666 hp | 3.6 sec | ₹4.2 Cr |
| Mercedes-AMG G63 | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 | 585 hp | 4.5 sec | ₹3.3 Cr |
| Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT | 4.0L V8 Twin-Turbo | 631 hp | 3.3 sec | ₹2.8 Cr |
The Defender OCTA stands out as the most off-road capable among the performance SUVs while delivering nearly equivalent on-road performance.
Advanced Safety & Driver Assistance Tech
Safety has not been compromised in the pursuit of performance.
Key Safety Features:
- 360-degree camera with ClearSight Ground View
- ADAS suite with adaptive cruise and lane assist
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Airbags: Front, side, curtain (8 in total)
This makes the Defender OCTA not just a beast in performance, but a fortress in protection.
Mermaid Diagram: Defender OCTA Capabilities Overview
mermaidCopyEditgraph TD
A[Performance] --> B[635hp V8 MHEV Engine]
A --> C[0-100 km/h in 4.0 sec]
D[Off-Road] --> E[295mm Ground Clearance]
D --> F[1000mm Water Wading]
D --> G[6D Dynamics Suspension]
H[Interior] --> I[Performance Seats]
H --> J[Pivi Pro + Meridian Audio]
K[Safety] --> L[ADAS + 360 Cameras]
K --> M[8 Airbags + Terrain Monitors]
Verdict: Defender OCTA – A Super SUV Without Compromise
The 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA is a rare breed. It fuses supercar-level performance, legendary off-road prowess, and bespoke luxury into a single, formidable package. For Indian buyers seeking a true do-it-all SUV with exclusivity, heritage, and brawn, the OCTA is peerless.
This is not just the most capable Defender ever built — it may be the most versatile performance SUV in the world.
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