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  2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA

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The Land Rover Defender OCTA has finally arrived, and it's set to be the best competitor the Mercedes-AMG G63 has had in years. Despite there being tons of money in the luxury off-roading space, there still aren't really any competitors to the G63. The hottest Gelandewagen has sat alone for years at the intersection of off-road prowess and ultimate luxury, and Land Rover is finally ready to do something about it as it introduces the most powerful Defender model ever made.

The new Defender halo model was inspired by the octahedral shape of a cut diamond; an item that exudes luxury and class while also being exceptionally rugged and durable. Thus, the luxury, off-road, and on-road capabilities of the model have all been improved immensely. In fact, the entire Defender range has just been updated to make it much more competitive with the G-Class, but is it all enough to draw die-hard fans away from the iconic Mercedes model? Let's compare the two to find out.

Exterior: Two Rugged Off-Road Flavors

Although the OCTA is an all-new model, it's still unmistakably a Defender as the range-wide updates have evolved the looks of the newest Defenders rather than reinvented them. The first thing you'll notice about the OCTA SUV is that it's a lot wider than before, thanks to the extended fender flares that now house massive 33-inch Goodyear Advance All-Terrain tires - the largest ever fitted to a Defender. Thanks to these upgrades, the OCTA rides 1.1 inches higher and 2.7 inches wider than a regular Defender 110. Larger wheels and all-season tires can also be optioned.

The bumpers in the front and rear of the OCTA have been redesigned, with a grille up front that provides better airflow, more underbody protection, bronze recovery hooks, and improved approach and departure angles. Two new paint options are available, namely Petra Copper and Faroe Green, but the latter is exclusive to the limited Edition One models. These special launch editions have 20-inch forged wheels and Chopped Carbon Fiber detailing. A contrasting roof is standard across the board.

The 2025 G63 also comes with fresher looks, as Mercedes also introduced a slew of updates without changing the original formula too much; the automaker knows where its bread is buttered, and too much change will see fans shop elsewhere. The G-Class's boxy looks are iconic, which is why the company merely refreshed the bumpers, added a new AMG-specific grille and air inlets, and added some new trim on the side.

Where the Mercedes has a leg up is in the customization game, as you have dozens of exterior colors, eight-wheel choices, three packages, and plenty of other available features on the exterior alone. While we know the first year of the OCTA will be limited, it remains to be seen whether it will ever reach the same breadth of customization as the G63.

Given the OCTA was only just revealed, we don't know the model's exact exterior dimensions just yet, but we know it's based on the latest Defender 110, but it sits higher and is wider for improved ground clearance. We also don't have off-road specs such as approach and departure angles yet. Given the increased ride height and improved bumpers, we expect it should best the more luxury-focused G63's 27-degree approach, 29-degree departure, and 25-degree breakover angles. The automaker says the OCTA has a deeper wading depth than any production Defender thus far - up to 3.3 feet.

Performance: Battle Of The V8s

The real story is what the two models have under the hood: two blistering twin-turbo V8s with mild-hybrid assistance. The G63's is a carryover from the pre-refreshed model, meaning you receive a hand-built AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 577 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque sent through a 9-speed automatic. This engine has now been paired with a new hybrid system that is capable of providing a boost of 20 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque at lower speeds, helping the 0-60 mph time fall to 4.2 seconds from 4.5 seconds.

As for Land Rover, the company called on BMW to source its engine, so the OCTA uses a 4.4-liter twin-turbo S68 V8 that produces an exceptional 626 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, though torque can be increased in short bursts to 590 lb-ft with launch control engaged. Land Rover also uses this engine in the Range Rover Sport SV and Range Rover SV, and it easily beats out the 518 hp, 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that powers the standard Defender 110 V8 model. The British automaker says this power plant will shoot the Defender OCTA to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. 15.7-inch front brake discs with six-piston Brembo calipers are now standard across the range and do duty here, too.

On- and Off-Roading Capability

In addition to the potent powertrains, both models feature a bevy of suspension features that help with on-road comfort and off-road prowess. The G63 comes standard with the AMG Ride Control system that offers three settings for adjustable on-road dampening, but Active Ride Control is optional as part of the AMG Offroad Package PRO. These, in addition to the Off-Road Cockpit, Transparent Hood, three mechanical differential locks, low range gearing, and solid rear axle, continue to make the G63 one of the premier off-roading vehicles on the market, regardless of its luxury pretenses.

As for the OCTA, in addition to the normal Defender features like a center and rear locking differential, air suspension, and Land Rover's Terrain Response system, the OCTA version adds a new hydraulically-interlinked 6D Dynamics suspension, which offers new height-adjustable air springs and hydraulic dampers to control pitch while adding plenty of beefier components. A new OCTA mode can be activated that will give you access to an off-road launch control system and a special ABS calibration better suited for loose surfaces. The OCTA also has various Terrain Response modes and a ClearSight Ground View mode that's equivalent to the G63's Transparent Hood feature.

Interior: Mercedes Luxury vs. British Elegance

The Defender has upped its interior game thanks to the refresh, with the OCTA trim taking this a step further. Up front, there are new 'Body and Soul' performance seats with integrated headrests and more aggressive bolstering to give you greater confidence when pushing the SUV to the limit. The seats also offer unique technology that allows you to feel the music as you listen to it. Various semi-aniline leather and Ultrafabric options can be chosen, but the layout and technology of the interior remain similar to other top trims. That's not a bad thing - it just means you shouldn't expect a significant luxury improvement over top-end models in the OCTA.

If you are expecting cosseting luxury and advanced technology improvements, then the G63 is the model for you. The newest version features two 12.3-inch displays for the first time, taking over the roles of the central display and instrument cluster. They come with augmented reality for navigation. The interior is highly customizable from the leather to the trim, and Multicontour seats can be optioned on. A Burmester 3D Sound system is standard, and interior lighting can be changed to any of 64 colors.

As you can see from the table above, the Defender and G63 offer similar amounts of space for passengers - at least when the Defender is configured to seat five. With the optional third row, legroom and cargo space are affected, but you do gain added versatility to ferry more passengers. However, as a comparbale five-seater SUV, the Land Rover Defender 110, on which the OCTA is based, offers more cargo space.

Pricing & Verdict: Off-Road Pavement Princesses

As is no surprise, the OCTA will come in as the most expensive Defender yet, with a starting price of $152,000. The Edition One is over $10,000 more expensive at $167,800, but this will likely still be less expensive than the 2025 G63. Mercedes has yet to release official pricing information for the latest G63 model, but given the 2024 model comes in at $183,000 MSRP, we imagine the latest version will arrive with a starting price around $190,000. This makes the Defender feel like a relative bargain by comparison.

With the OCTA, you're paying for a performance SUV with solid, premium appointments, but with the G63, you're paying for a luxury performance package. The G63 also has the benefit of status, and its renown as a symbol of influence can't be ignored. The Defender OCTA isn't as refined, but that's reflected in the price. However, the OCTA should offer better on-road performance and give the G63 a run for its money off the beaten path. If the latter is what matters more to you, we say go with the Defender, but if luxury and status is your priority - and you can afford it - the G63 is still your best option.