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A notable shift in JLR's parent company's strategy over the past few years has been its direction.“Reimagine”, where the company shifted to a House of Brands approach to amplify the unique characteristics of each brand, including Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar.
Accordingly, every car enthusiast can choose the JLR brand branch that suits their style and lifestyle. For example, the Range Rover is the choice for customers who appreciate luxury, an elegant lifestyle, and want a car that can be used daily for city driving, commuting to work, and even attending upscale events. The Defender, on the other hand, is for those who love a unique, free, adventurous lifestyle.
The Defender's guiding principle has always been: rugged, distinctive, versatile, yet extremely practical and luxurious. As Mr. Minh Huy, a vehicle expert at JLR Vietnam, affirms:"Defender's customers are people who always want to do extraordinary things, things that others don't think they can do."
And the Defender 2026 is the vehicle that brings users closer to those extraordinary things.
More modern, more sophisticated
In Vietnam, the 2026 Defender will be available in all versions: 90, 110, 130, Trophy Edition, OCTA, and OCTA Black. The 2026 version represents a significant step forward in redefining the concept of comfort in an off-road SUV, especially for customers seeking premium experiences. Upgrades such as new headlights and taillights, an expanded exterior color palette, larger wheels, and a 13.1-inch central infotainment screen all aim for a more intuitive, modern, and user-friendly experience.
Inside the cockpit, the ergonomically redesigned dashboard, the optional Captain Seat for the second row on the Defender 130, and the refined finishing details demonstrate that the Defender is increasingly approaching contemporary "luxury" standards. The brand also shows increasingly deep personalization possibilities with three accessory ecosystems—Explorer, Adventure, and Urban—offering many new options, allowing the vehicle to accurately reflect the owner's lifestyle: from long journeys in nature and adventurous sports activities to the need for flexible mobility in urban environments.
In terms of technology, the 2026 Defender is the first to be equipped with the optional Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control (not available on OCTA versions). This system is an evolution of All Terrain Progress Control, allowing drivers to set their desired comfort level when traveling on rough terrain.
This allows the driver to focus on steering, reducing fatigue and increasing stability when driving on paved roads. The system automatically adjusts speed to maintain a smooth ride on uneven surfaces, providing a smoother off-road experience and better control.
Another highlight is the Driver Attention Monitor system, which now integrates a driver-facing camera for enhanced safety and can be adjusted or switched on as needed. By monitoring eye movements, the system can provide audio and visual warnings to remind the driver to maintain attention to the traffic ahead.
In addition to the aforementioned improvements, the 2026 Defender also offers a hybrid option in the 110 version, keeping pace with the global automotive industry's "greening" trend and allowing the vehicle to operate more flexibly in various scenarios.
According to Mr. Huy, the Plug-in Hybrid version helps Defender expand its customer base to include younger people, allowing them to own a vehicle for daily urban commuting that is smooth and economical with a pure electric range of 60km, while still having powerful engine performance when needed. The system will automatically regulate energy, or users can actively choose their preferred electric driving mode.
When purchasing the vehicle, customers will receive a wall-mounted charger that can be installed at home. Additionally, a 2.4kW portable charger is included, which can be plugged directly into a standard household power outlet for long journeys. The vehicle uses a common charging standard, allowing users to charge at third-party public charging stations.
A reliable companion
When reading about a model with a starting price of over 6 billion VND, thoughts like "Wouldn't it be a shame to take it off-road?" are understandable for those who have never experienced driving a Defender. But for those who have loved and continue to love the Defender, that's never something to worry about. The Defender was born to conquer challenging terrain, and all its technical features revolve around protecting the driver and the vehicle itself in the most extreme situations.
In fact, the Defender's design was calculated from the outset for conquering challenging terrain. The front and rear bumpers and undercarriage are optimized to achieve appropriate approach and departure angles – key factors when navigating steep, rocky, or muddy terrain. According to Mr. Minh Huy, these are not just numbers for show, but the result of a design philosophy that prioritizes practical performance.
One of the highly appreciated features in the Vietnamese market is that the Defender 110 comes standard with an air suspension system. This decision stems from research into local road conditions, where users frequently travel across various terrains. The air suspension allows drivers to actively raise the vehicle's ride height when needed, increasing its ability to overcome obstacles while still ensuring a smooth ride on paved roads. Combined with a center differential lock and an optional active rear differential lock, the Defender provides a clear and confident sense of control, even for those new to off-road driving.
Acting as the "brain" in the entire off-road driving system is Terrain Response 2 – a technology that has become a hallmark of Land Rover. Instead of forcing the driver to memorize a series of complex operations, this system allows the selection of pre-set driving modes, from mud and water crossings to rocky terrain or slippery surfaces. The vehicle will automatically adjust operating parameters to optimize performance for the driver when the mode is activated.
But the Defender isn't just for off-road adventures. For customers who love self-guided camping and long cross-country trips, the greatest value the Defender offers is reliability and comfort. The spacious interior, stable handling, and smooth ride from the finely tuned air suspension system allow drivers to travel hundreds of kilometers across various terrains without fatigue.
There, the Defender is no longer just a pure off-road vehicle, but becomes a true companion: durable enough for long journeys, sophisticated enough for long-term use.
Version distribution and expected price in Vietnam (information provided by JLR Vietnam)
Defender 110
• Defender 110 S 3.0 P400 MHEVPriced at 6,329,000,000 VND (Includes optional Premium Interior Upgrade Package, Advanced Air Filtration System, 20-inch Wheel Options, Air Suspension, Meridian Sound System).
Defender 130
• Defender 130 X-Dynamic SE 3.0 P400 MHEVIt is priced at 7,349,000,000 VND (Including optional Premium Interior Upgrade Package, Matrix LED Headlights, ClearSight Rearview Mirrors, and 20-inch Wheels).
• Defender 130 X-Dynamic HSE 3.0 P400 MHEVIt is priced at 7,989,000,000 VND.
(Includes the optional 7-seater premium interior with Captain Seats, Windsor leather upholstery combined with Kvadrat materials, Matrix LED headlights, ClearSight rearview mirror, and 20-inch wheels).
Defender Trophy Edition
• Defender 110 3.0 Trophy EditionPriced at 7,489,000,000 VND (Includes optional air suspension, panoramic sunroof, and exclusive Trophy package). Starting price for personalized models (excluding configuration): • Defender 90 S 3.0 P400: 5,099,000,000 VND
• Defender 110 S Version 3.0 P400:5,319,000,000 VND
• Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE 2.0 P400e PHEV:5,989,000,000 VND
• Defender 130 X-Dynamic SE 3.0 P400 Edition:6,799,000,000 VND
