So this is going to be a bit of a long one, but here is my thoughts based on ~2000 km in my 2025 Defender OCTA Edition One. Firstly, just for context, I am coming from a MY23.5 110 D300 X, and have also owned a 2021 90 P400 XS Edition and 2022 110 P525 V8 in the past. My specific example is Faroe Green with the satin wrap on the 20" Style 1086 wheels (on the standard BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain A/T's) with Khaki Ultrafabric interior.

Firstly, it's really nice to drive. The 6D suspension makes the OCTA extremely smooth and comfortable, especially on the highway, while also handling remarkably well on more twisty roads, especially considering it's massive 2.5 ton weight. Obviously, it's not a track car but still able get around tight corners at speed without excessive understeer or body roll (got it to 0.83g on a 'closed course' ). The 4.4L V8 is also great, contributing to the cars overall 'smoothness', with good low down power. It is also a great motor high in the RPM range. It absolutely hammers, and keeps hammering. Even going really fast, it doesn't feel like it is going to stop pulling. Exhaust note is amazing too (you have to drive 500km to rev past 4500 RPM). Finally, the engine runs really hot, even on city driving. Fans are loud after you get out, and the bonnet is hot. Overall, the driving experience in terms of both comfort and sportiness is a step above our previous Defender.

Now, in terms of the looks, I think the general consensus is they are pretty mean looking. I totally agree, but I believe it forgoes some of the Defender's 'utilitarian' nature, something that appealed me to the model originally when it was revealed in 2019. It's more aimed at somebody who would drive a G63 or Range Rover instead of a Land Crusier. That's my main gripe with the car. Some other observations, in no particular order, about the exterior:

• The extended fenders are indeed stuck on top of the original panels, with the only actually widened panel being the fuel cap and lower 3/4 trim pieces.
• The rear bumper has a cut-out in it so the spare wheel can actually fit without being put on an angle due to the bigger tires,
• The rear bumper has an inbuilt scuff protector that looks similar-ish to the OEM Rear Scuff Plate. I don't understand the point of this, because not only does it forgo the benefits of a stick on protector that you can pull off easily once its all scratched up, it also doesn't go to the very edge of the bumper, so the actual bit that you'll damage by taking stuff in and out of the boot isn't protected. You also can't stick anything on top, because it's not flat. Poor design on Land Rover's part there.
• The front looks good but is impractical off-road. The huge grilles amass a huge amount of leaves and sticks going through water, which become very difficult to pick out. The panel gaps on the front were the grille affixes to the bumper are also perfect width to get lots of tiny pebbles stuck in them - and they aren't coming out. Never really noticed either of these issues on the previous car. Minor but very frustrating

Nevertheless it goes great off-road. Admittedly the trails we've been on so far haven't best source of comparison to our last L663 as that car did not stumble at all, so, unsurprisingly, neither did the OCTA. The OCTA did seem more controlled over obstacles as result of the 6D suspension, allowing the behavior of the suspension more quickly and with more precision than air suspension operating on it's own. The OCTA is also wider, taller (allowing for 10cm more of wading depth; untested) and the suspension components are supposedly stronger, but at the end of the day, it is still much the same car with the same TR, differentials, and air-suspension system as our previous 110. That was an amazing vehicle off-road, so the OCTA's ability comes back to the law of diminishing returns.

In terms of the interior, I really like it. The Ultrafabric is a great finish, and a damp rag wipes it clean if you get anything on it, and the top of the seats (shoulders and up) is a fabric, which is also really nice. The seats themselves are also really comfy, and the bolsters are adjustable via the screen. How cool! The whole 'body and soul' massage thing is kind of a gimmick though. It just vibrates the seat, plays relaxing music, and makes the ambient lighting a color proportionate to the chosen 'intensity'. Literally does nothing remedial. There is also an option to make these same speakers in the seats work with your music - but they don't actually play the music, they just sort of vibrate with it so you can 'feel the sound'. I'm not a fan. The steering wheel is made out of the same 'Ultrafabric' as the seats - no complaints there. The tops of the paddle shifters do light up red when you activate OCTA mode, which I do think is a bit gimmicky but it's fine. I'm not a fan of how the cross-bar on the dashboard has a paint finish, unlike the usual composite sort of thing in normal L663's, as it feels pretty scratchable. I'm not really sure why they added it, as it is nowhere else in the cabin. I'm also not too happy about lack of underfloor storage. The jack stand and stuff is still under there, but aside from that the Styrofoam piece is essentially flat compared thus forgoes the big storage area in regular L663's. There is more componentry under that styrofoam piece, but I'm not really sure why.
Bottom right is the air tank for the air suspension, that's normal, but everything else really isn't. The silver box on the right next to 2 ECUs is a DC to DC converter, something I'm pretty sure regular L663's have, but I do not know why they would choose to move it. This DC to DC converter and the battery next to it are connected to a coolant reservoir also mounted in the boot. Like what? The only addition here that I actually understand is the strut brace, obviously for rigidity. I think it is plausible that these components could be added/moved to make way for hardware relating to the 6D suspension, but I find it straight up odd that there is a coolant reservoir in the boot. Let me know what you think.
The underfloor in our previous L663 for reference:

Overall it is a great car.
If you have any questions, or something is unclear, let me know. Happy to answer them.
Next up, everything that's gone wrong...

Links to parts of the thread:
Jim 90's thoughts on his OCTA
Roof carrying
Fuel Economy

 

What is your approximate range on a tank of gas?

 

Great detailed review and nice contribution to this forum! What’s the hardest terrain you have tackled so far in the octa

 

No problems at all with mine. Oil change and five tire rotation (BFG All terrains) done at 5,000. (Oil change cannot be done with vacuum pump through dipstick). Only start/stop changed with GAP tool. No accessories added or necessary for my use, although I did PPF non black and ceramic the entire truck. I ordered Duratracs but came with the BFG’s; no Duratracs in inventory to change out; actually think I’m better off given use, etc. Have yet to drive in snow. Very pleased but no heavy off roading. My local dealer in Wisconsin has not sold many so somewhat a novelty at the shop! Was worth the angst of tariff/no tariff etc.

 

Interesting. Is this true?

JLR bans roof racks from the regular V8’s but not Octa, apparently. OK to drive with roof loads in Dynamic Mode but not Octa Mode. True? What’s the warning message that comes up on the cluster?




an

 

Interesting. Static roof weight is the same in the Octa as the regular Defenders. However the dynamic roof weight is increased from 260 in regular Defenders to 370 in the Octa. Do you have to remove the roof rack to get it into Octa mode without a warning?

 

It is, isn’t it?

Keep these OCTA reviews coming. I have a friend in Oregon with one, and still haven’t gotten the low down from him on how he likes it offroad or had him out on the trails with us. Looking forward to it. Maybe we can wedge him in between 2 trees because it’s wider (kidding kidding, low blow) . He’s a real enthusiast too !

 

Interesting notes on the roof loads. Makes no sense to me that you can have a roof fitted on an Octa whereas you could not get it on a V8 Carpathian Edition.

 

This is correct. In OCTA mode a little icon literally comes up in the gauge cluster, meaning that you shouldn't have stuff on the roof. The OCTA has the same roof structure, but I think it is to do with the lateral G's the OCTA is able to pull, amplifying the force the roof load puts on the car. However, you can still mount roof loads as normal.
By the way, I'm getting responses ready to the other questions asap.

 

I’m sure most of you are aware, the OCTA comes with roof rails and optional racks/crossbars.