Land Rover Defender V8 Review | Likes and dislikes from running a V8 Defender

#LandRover #Defender #LandRoverDefender
What’s it like running a V8 Land Rover as an every day car? CAR magazine’s Editor, Ben Miller, wanted to find out so we handed him the keys to one for a few months. This is his verdict.

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CAR is the online edition of CAR magazine, Britain's oldest monthly motoring mag. It's the UK's best and fastest online motoring news service, providing a constant stream of scoops, first drives and official pictures of new cars.

[gttfc]

You totally understood the car. I own a Defender 110 V8 and simply love it. I used to switch cars quickly, but this time it feels like a keeper.
I also think that the Octa takes away a bit of the relaxed and boat style driving experience. But I did not drive one, yet. Certainly also a great car.
It simply gives you a different feeling than „normal“ SUVs. Only a G wagon is similar, but has much more wind noise, less space, mixed reputation and higher price tag.
I also owned a new Range Rover P530, but I felt too young for it and somehow too much of a status symbol. You do not hear any motor sound and the steering is much too light. And you surprisingly have more wind noise. Still a great looking and even more comfortable car.

[urbanstrencan]

This is Land Rover Defender in all of its glory V8 power 😁💪😁🤟

[thomascole]

I took delivery of a 130 P424 (also the 5.0 V8), we are smitten

[DietmarDyck]

LR3/LR4 had the spare wheel underside, but that is a small price to pay, the rear wheel adds to the icon styling. Stunning car!

[davidflatman]

Great video. Really enjoyed that. The 7 seat setup here could be a winner.

[ALMXDP]

Interesting they are putting out models with the supercharged 5.0 alongside others with the BMW 4.4. Kinda wish the Octa had the former tbh just to help maintain a bit more of that agricultural character.

[Petrolhead]

It’s bonkers, but I absolutely love mine 😊
What surprised me most was its motorway manners.

[clivereid]

The spare wheel on the tailgate is what you want on a proper 4x4. - One under the vehicle could easily become inaccessible when you're off-road.

[goodfest]

Agree Land Rover have nailed the brief and created another icon - how many manufacturers have 2 icons in their current range…. Don’t think the Velar is quite an ‘Icon’….❤

[Billywoo]

The Brits still do exceptional, timeless car design. Is this celebrated enough?

[pouyadelavari]

Some say it's not reliable at all. Is it right? After 50k miles problems begin

[Hornbaek-]

I exchanged my V8 Defender 90 for an OCTA and although I love the “old” V8 the new turbo V8 in the OCTA is in another league. The “old” V8 has a bit more character / sound but its lacks mid-range torque compared to the BMW-sourced unit. On the Autobahn you don’t go faster than 160/170 km/h in the old Defender because it starts to heel quite a lot. Not the OCTA. It flattens corners and pulls like a steam train. I go beyond 200-230 km/h without any hesitation. It feels much more surefooted and oddly enough the wind noise is much less.

[Michael-yzmc]

Had the 110 for a bit but felt huge can’t imagine this thing.

[davidhayes]

Sure 18.9 mpg is “terrible” but my old Dad had a Ford Zodiac mk3 …. 2553cc 114bhp 1.25 tons …. which never did more than 18 mpg. Later he had a Bedford CF Camper 1.6 petrol 80bhp 1.7 tons ….. that did little more 16 mpg. Yes vans were much lighter then.

[Coreythedad]

Tested one today. In Canada it’s $167, 000 Canadian dollars. Not sure if the car will feel the same without the V8.

[FlyasaDiamond]

I want to hate it.. but I don’t, infact I love it.

[johnjoseph]

Glad it is selling so well. Pricing is pushing G Wagon $$$ on the high spec product - Still prefer a 4x4 you can take the roof off far more.

[ChickenSweetcornSoup]

Its a shame they've removed the P525 V8 from the 110 Lineup for 2025 in the UK and changed it for a P425 guessing to not eat into Octa sales.

[maureencora]

2025 My Lottery Win Favorite SUV is a Defender 110 V8. I Can Dream, Can't I? (smile)

[gabrielyeap]

It’s funny because now I can’t go 5 yards without seeing one these days