I’m in Australia, so I’ll start with metric: 514 km range reading on a full tank, with the trip stating I’m getting 15.6 L/100km. That trip has been going since I got the car, so includes primarily city and some highway driving. This translates to 319 miles and about 15.1 mpg

 

Thanks for the review, beautiful OCTA, congrats! I'm trying to decide between a P525 110 or an OCTA. I did brief test drives in both but the OCTA was in a very limited break-in mode with only 100 miles on it, so I didn't get a real feel for how the engine performs. I loved the sound and throttle response of the V8 in the P525. Does the OCTA engine get a lot better once out of break-in mode? Do you miss the old P525 engine?

 

I may have a new 110 by this weekend-next week. Would love to meet / join some folks on outings and could bring a friend driving my modified lr3 that I've had since 07.

 

I don't 'miss' the P525 engine, per say, but it was good nonetheless (I didn't go directly from a V8 to an OCTA, if that's the impression you are under). The P635 has more high-end power than the P525, which is what you would have missed out on in the one you drove, as the break-in mode limits it to somewhere in the region of 5500 RPM. With that knowledge in mind, you can compare the low-down power P525 to P635 with your personal opinion. In terms of sound, I've heard people say that both the P525 and P625 are mute, which I'd like to disagree with. The OCTA is burbly, and even has a few pops every now and then - not sure if that's real or exaggerated by the fake engine noise piped into the cabin, though. If I were comparing the V8 and OCTA, I would also think about the suspension. The V8 has the same air suspension as any other L663, which is admittedly very good. However, the OCTA's suspension adds a level of refinement I am surprised a 2.5-tonne vehicle can have, as expressed in the body of my review, somewhat changing the character of the car.

 

THIS is why I am SO very excited about the OCTA. While a stock version will be fun to drive, in all terrains from twisty mtn roads to wild off road, I am also looking forward to how well it handles the added weight of a full "overland" build. My 2007 LR3 that I bought new, weighs right at 8000 lbs, sometimes 8400 with roof tent, gear for 2 people, loaded fridge, loaded "kitchen bin", photo gear, 2 mtn bikes, and all the steel armor. My guess is that a similar build on the OCTA would be around 7000-7500 lbs because it weighs less to start with and I don't plan to have another winch that I never need LOL

The sliders I have are 100 lbs...each. The 2nd battery is an Odessey 2150 for roughly 50+ lbs on its own., ARB front bumper, Kaymar rear with tire swing, 2nd fuel tank, aluminum rack, roof tent...it adds up !

I am not going to "test" drive an OCTA. We drove two P400's, a 2026 V8, and the OCTA will be a TREAT to drive after buying. Everything about it's suspension and drive-line differences appeals to me in so many ways that there is simply no need to "test" drive it as some sort of "do I want this? " exercise.

I am trading in, or selling myself, a 2018 G63... yeah, I thought I wanted the last bad-*** solid axle/ball swivel vehicle, but alas, it's just not a Land Rover !

 

Great decision to get rid of that G63! Used to have one and it was cool for a bit, until we realised 1: It's extremely polarizing (makes you look like a Kardashian) 2: It's not fast (tips over on every corner) 3: It can't go off-road (low profile tyres even suffer on a mere dirt road, while a Defender with 22" is completely fine) and 4: It's **** (speakers had to be replaced 3x due to rattle, broke down several times in the middle of the road, every interior panel squeaked).
If you are happy with the P400 & V8 then you'll love the OCTA, it does not do anything worse aside from fulfilling what a true 'Defender' should be, in my opinion.

 

Ha, well, the G aren't for everyone but they are incredible off-road when set up properly. Mine currently has 34" BFG KO3 tires and a 2" lift.
Body on frame with steel springs and solid axles always lean in corners but it does not mean they are unstable, it's just a very different handling style that can take a long time to get comfortable with managing at higher speeds and/or less ideal terrain.

It is not different in concept, in fact almost identical, to the earlier Land Rovers like a 90's Defender and Discovery 1 which both had "ball swivel" front hubs and solid axles. The P38 Range Rover and Discovery II lept forward in their handling characteristics in part due to the sway bar but also a redesign on the front end while still being solid axles, not having a ball swivel anymore.
Having driven a 1996 Discovery 1 for nearly 200,000 miles before adding a 2004 Discovery II, the newer one seemed "sporty" by comparison.

The G has squeaks though for sure!!

 

Oh lifted with some 34's is sick. I had a G63, so had none of that capability :/ A proper one would be undeniably good on the trails! Sorry for being so harsh...

 

Well, mine is a 2018 G63. They are actually very straight forward to modify. However, you can never remedy the feeling of what a solid axle vehicle does to your body while rocking around LOL

The keen eye will see the Land Rover affection runs deep...

 

Awhile back now we were driving home from the Sunshine Coast on one of the many roundabouts near Noosa and a guy in his Patrol (Armada for you American folks) got ‘confused’ on a roundabout and kept turning around from the outside lane when we were going straight. Fortunately, we were able to steer out of the way and the only damage being rubbing against the other car laterally instead of pushing into eachother - thus the only thing ‘damaged’ is the little spat on the fender.

… while his car was dented all up the side. Took it into LR and the suspension and body are all good.
and the best bit is we were towing two Jet Skis as well.
While it was in we also got some warranty work done. Two issues: squeaky front passenger head rest (going over bumps and when you put your head on it) and squeaky rear suspension (going over speed bumps, sort of sounded like the hydraulics of a low-rider).
About the headrest, the technician said “Removed Front passenger seat head rest back cover and applied anti rattle tape. Verified concern, rattle noise from front passenger seat while driving on uneven roads. Noise located from head rest. Removed head rest cover, noticed rubbing marks on head rest clips. Applied anti rattle tape.” What exactly the attached photos of is difficult to gauge, somewhere in the headrest I presume, but I’ll attach them anyway.


The suspension: “Corrected Rear 6D suspension hydraulic hose routing. However, 6D suspension hydraulic flow noise can be heard which is normal 6D suspension characteristic. Verified concern, Rubbing noise from rear suspension while driving over the road humps. No related DTCs. During rear suspension inspection noticed rear RH damper 6D hydraulic hose routing incorrect, hoses crossing over and rubbing against to each other. Also rear LH hydraulic hose rubbing with damper dust cover. Corrected hydraulic hose routing and re-tested concern rectified.” Umm, not ideal that the car was built wrong. It’s not even one of the first batches - they are 2024 and this is a 2025. Oh well, it’s quieter now but as the tech said some hydraulic noise is characteristic of the 6D suspension. I just hope no other lines are routed wrong. Here’s the photos they attached:









That milk that we went through at Mount Mee really got everywhere hey! FYI, these services were done back in early October.