”Real” review of the OCTA after 6mo and 2500 miles
Mudding
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 130
Likes: 50
While I've only had my OCTA for a few weeks I had a Carpathian Edition P525 for a couple years. Without a doubt the OCTA is a superior vehicle to drive on and off road. The steering, transmission, engine, and suspension are far far better. My wife hated driving the P525 because it always felt so slow to react and a bit tipsy (she been driving X5M's and Cayenne Turbos for the last 9-10 years). While I didn't think the P525 was tipsy it felt slow to react to steering inputs. Seems like that old Ford V8 and transmission are heavy and you can feel it in everyday driving. If I were to get a regular Defender again it would definitely be the six cylinder. Way better balance of weight and power. The V8 was quickish once on full boil in a straight line, but nothing special. The transmission is super slow compared to the newer autos. The engine feels like the internals are heavy and slow to accelerate. I did not miss that car when I got my last truck.
All that to say the OCTA fixed all those issues and drives way way better than the V8 Defender. Is the OCTA worth the price they are asking...no. Am I enjoying the OCTA, yes.
All that to say the OCTA fixed all those issues and drives way way better than the V8 Defender. Is the OCTA worth the price they are asking...no. Am I enjoying the OCTA, yes.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
While I've only had my OCTA for a few weeks I had a Carpathian Edition P525 for a couple years. Without a doubt the OCTA is a superior vehicle to drive on and off road. The steering, transmission, engine, and suspension are far far better. My wife hated driving the P525 because it always felt so slow to react and a bit tipsy (she been driving X5M's and Cayenne Turbos for the last 9-10 years). While I didn't think the P525 was tipsy it felt slow to react to steering inputs. Seems like that old Ford V8 and transmission are heavy and you can feel it in everyday driving. If I were to get a regular Defender again it would definitely be the six cylinder. Way better balance of weight and power. The V8 was quickish once on full boil in a straight line, but nothing special. The transmission is super slow compared to the newer autos. The engine feels like the internals are heavy and slow to accelerate. I did not miss that car when I got my last truck.
All that to say the OCTA fixed all those issues and drives way way better than the V8 Defender. Is the OCTA worth the price they are asking...no. Am I enjoying the OCTA, yes.
All that to say the OCTA fixed all those issues and drives way way better than the V8 Defender. Is the OCTA worth the price they are asking...no. Am I enjoying the OCTA, yes.
Congrats on your new Octa! Did you buy off the lot or did you order to your spec?
Last edited by mammothcar1; Yesterday at 02:36 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 3
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 3
Mudding
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 130
Likes: 50
I agree, technologies separated by decades (compared to the BMW engine in the Octa and Range Rovers).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
So I guess in a way, the price difference between the Octa and 110 P500 or P525 can be attributed to a new generation of design engineering, power plant and suspension.
I hadn't thought about how that relates to the older engine design, transmission and suspension on the regular Defender, not that there is anything wrong with that, if it isn't broke don't fix it.
These last few comments about the engine and transmission has been very helpful in quantifying the $50,000+ price difference.
I hadn't thought about how that relates to the older engine design, transmission and suspension on the regular Defender, not that there is anything wrong with that, if it isn't broke don't fix it.
These last few comments about the engine and transmission has been very helpful in quantifying the $50,000+ price difference.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
Thanks for your feedback!
Mudding
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 113
Likes: 104
From: SE Washington State
We a have a 2025 OCTA Edition One and a 2016 Range Rover Supercharged.
Granted there is roughly 10 years between build dates and I'm comparing L663 to L405, it is incredibly noticeable how much smoother the BMW engine and transmission are regardless of what you are doing from just driving around town to some spirited actions. The throttle control and response on the OCTA over the 5.0L Range Rover is so much more precise, I never realized uncontrolled the 5.0L was until we got the OCTA. Everything about the OCTA is better and the ride quality is stunningly good regardless of driving mode is better, yet again I'm comparing apples to oranges.
I traded in a 2024 Range Rover SE P400 for the OCTA and have never looked back.
Granted there is roughly 10 years between build dates and I'm comparing L663 to L405, it is incredibly noticeable how much smoother the BMW engine and transmission are regardless of what you are doing from just driving around town to some spirited actions. The throttle control and response on the OCTA over the 5.0L Range Rover is so much more precise, I never realized uncontrolled the 5.0L was until we got the OCTA. Everything about the OCTA is better and the ride quality is stunningly good regardless of driving mode is better, yet again I'm comparing apples to oranges.
I traded in a 2024 Range Rover SE P400 for the OCTA and have never looked back.
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