2026 Land Rover Defender First Drive Review: Now it is just Defender

We drive the updated Defender into the heart of Pingtung County, Southern Taiwan

Pingtung, Taiwan – When the current iteration of Land Rover’s Defender was first introduced back in 2020, they pulled off all the stops to develop a replacement that was fitting of a vehicle which put the brand on the map.

Perhaps there is some confusion to the title, and that is because recently, Land Rover went through a rebranding exercise, spinning off their various models into their very own sub brands.

Southern Taiwan this time of the year is dry. The sun bathes everything in a pale glow, while the lingering cool breezes from a season prior take the edge off the looming summer. It is here that I get myself reacquainted with the new MY26 Defender.

What’s new then?

Changes are largely subtle, and you’d need a keen eye to tell the MY26 Defender apart from the pre-facelifted car. This is deliberate I feel, as it makes a car age better.

So what is new then? The new Defender receives revised headlights, along with a new Daytime Running Light signature. Along the bonnet treadplates, grille inserts and on the fender, there is a new squircle motif. And at the rear, the Defender’s tail lights are now flush with the bodywork; which the product guys at the unveiling were keen to point out, was less susceptible to picking up mud.

Probably my absolute favourite part of the Defender, would be the power-coated structural die-cast magnesium cross beam which forms the backbone of the dashboard. Upon this, sits an updated 13.1-inch Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreen; where excellent graphics, paired with a low learning curve, makes for a pleasant user experience. I like that Defender has retained the physical climate control knobs, which also double up as controls for the vehicle’s various drive settings.

For an added layer of safety, there is also a new Driver Attention Monitor which tracks eye movement and facial posture, to warn you if you are drifting off – great especially if you are having a long day. The most significant upgrade to the Defender is the Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control, which aids in navigating rough terrain, while delivering improved comfort.

One for the trail

My car for the day is a Defender D350, which is powered by a three-litre in-line six turbo Ingenium diesel, putting out 350hp and a very healthy 700Nm. In my books, a diesel is always better when the trail gets demanding… well because they are torque monsters.

However the car that will be retailed in Singapore will be the P300e – a petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a four-cylinder Ingenium two-litre. The PHEV has a system delivery of 296hp and 625Nm. The electric motor, which is powered by a 19.2kWh battery, has a WLTP range of 48km on its own. With the electric assistance, the Singapore-spec car will deliver a manufacturer-rated 14.5km/l to 16.7km/l. This is mechanically the same as the pre-facelift Land Rover Defender I took out just last year.

Back in the diesel 3.0, we steer off the road, into one of Pingtung’s off-roading trails. We then set the air suspension to Off-Roading Height, which gives us almost 30cm of ground clearance. What lay before us are steep inclines and a series of sudden dips, all of which the Defender, despite its weight, rode through without complaint. The 700Nm coursing through that ZF-8HP gearbox meant that even steep climbs were effortless affairs.

Having driven the first iteration of the Defender some five years prior, this is the first time I have had the chance to fully explore the Defender’s off-roading capabilities where it is home. It is just so intuitive… from that commanding position in the cabin, providing you with crucial visibility, to the reassurance delivered by the ClearSight Ground View camera – all of which allows you to “know where to place your wheels”.

Throughout my drive both off-road and on Pingtung’s roads, I have grown to love the Defender just that bit more. Back home, where you’d only have the choice of driving it in an urban setting, while knowing that it can do just so much more, is akin to having that poster of your dream car on your wall as a kid. But over here, to put an SUV, which is the heart of the Land Rover brand where it is meant to go, is truly something different.

Today, the Defender is much more than what Land Rover originally imagined it to be. It is a true off-roader, donned in a suit and tie… sometimes dabbed with a little bit of mud. It is simply one of the most remarkable cars this decade has seen.

So, what variants do we get?

The MY26 Defender P300e PHEV X-Dynamic HSE is already available in Singapore.

There is also a special P300e PHEV Trophy Edition, which we understand is available on a per-indent basis. Aside from the equipment the HSE receives, the Trophy Edition Defender is also equipped with ‘Trophy Edition’ badging around the car, Trophy Body Coloured Cross Car Beam and an Expedition Roof Rack among others.

The Trophy Edition Defender is available with the option of two heritage-inspired colours – Keswick Green and Deep Sandglow Yellow. The latter is synonymous with Defenders used on international Trophy-style events, while Keswick Green celebrates rural exploration in Defender’s UK homeland.

Text: Clifford Chow
Photos: Defender & Clifford Chow

Defender 110 P300e X-Dynamic HSE PHEV

Drivetrain	Petrol-electric plug-in hybrid
Layout	1,997cc, 4-cylinder
Power / torque	296hp / 625Nm
Transmission	8-Speed
Efficiency	16.7km/l
Fuel Capacity	90 Litres
0-100km/h	7.6 Seconds
Top Speed	191km/h
VES Band	C3
Dealer	Wearnes Automotive