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2026 Land Rover Defender V8

Off-Road · 5.0L V8 Supercharged · 4WD

87/100

AutoVault's overall score, weighted for what a off-road is actually for — performance, technology, comfort, reliability, safety and value.

Specifications

Engine5.0L V8 Supercharged
Horsepower518 hp
Torque461 lb-ft
0–60 mph4.9 sec
Top speed149 mph
Drivetrain4WD
Seats5
Combined MPG19 mpg (17 city / 22 hwy)
Range396 miles
MSRP$116,395
Body styleOff-Road

The verdict

What's good

  • Roaring supercharged V8 soundtrack
  • Surprisingly quick for a rugged box
  • Still climbs serious trails
  • Standout looks among off-roaders

What's not

  • Drinks fuel hard around town
  • Spotty reliability reputation
  • Pricey for a Defender
  • Firm ride on the road

The engine

AJ133

Supercharged V8

An old-school supercharged V8 that delivers immediate, linear shove with a deep blown-V8 burble, giving the boxy Defender a muscle-car soundtrack and effortless mid-range punch.

The AJ-V8 was designed in-house by Jaguar in the mid-1990s, with development beginning before Ford's takeover; it replaced both Jaguar's straight-six and V12. The 5.0L AJ133 arrived in 2009 and was shared across Jaguar Land Rover.

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