2026 Land Rover Defender 110 V8, OCTA & OCTA Black: Solon Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The top of the Defender 110 range
The Defender 110 V8 (from $118,300 MSRP) runs the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 shared across the Defender lineup, at 518 horsepower. The OCTA (from $158,800) is a different animal entirely: a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 626 horsepower, purpose-built 6D Dynamics air suspension, and a widened track shared with the Range Rover Sport SV's performance architecture. OCTA Black (from $170,550) layers a gloss-black styling package on top of the standard OCTA. All three are 110-body-only for 2026 — there is no 90 or 130 OCTA.
Two engines that both get called "the V8"
This is the part of the Defender lineup where the naming actually trips people up. The V8 trim runs a 5.0-liter supercharged engine, the same unit found across the 90 and 130 V8 configurations: 518 horsepower, 461 lb-ft of torque, and a genuinely quick 0-60 time for something this size. The OCTA is a completely different engine — a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 626 horsepower and 553 lb-ft, related to the powertrain architecture in the Range Rover Sport SV, and paired with 6D Dynamics air suspension purpose-built for the OCTA rather than the adaptive air suspension used on lower trims. Both configurations get colloquially called "the V8 Defender" in conversation, but they're not the same vehicle, and the price gap between them — roughly $40,000 — reflects a genuinely different engineering program, not just a badge.
OCTA Black takes the standard OCTA and adds a high-gloss black exterior trim and badging package on top, for buyers who want the OCTA's performance without the standard model's brighter accent finishes.
Where 626 horsepower actually goes
It's a fair question on a vehicle shaped like a Defender: what is that much power actually for? Part of the answer is straight-line performance — the OCTA is meaningfully quicker than the supercharged V8 trim, with a claimed top speed around 155 mph on the right wheel package, numbers that have nothing to do with fording rivers. But the 6D Dynamics suspension and widened track also change how the Defender handles at speed on twisting roads, which matters more to buyers who'll actually drive this thing hard on a back road through the Cuyahoga Valley than to buyers chasing a spec sheet. It's less a Defender that got faster and more a genuinely different performance vehicle wearing Defender bodywork.
Every trim in this guide still carries the core Defender hardware — permanent all-wheel drive, Terrain Response 2, and meaningful wading and off-road capability — even at this price point. Land Rover didn't trade off-road ability for on-road performance here; it added the performance on top.
What buyers say about this store
Buyers at the top of a lineup like this one tend to expect more from the sales process, and Land Rover Solon's reviews suggest that expectation gets met. Melanie A., who ultimately ordered a new Defender after nearly three months comparing options with the sales team, described the experience as "effortless, personalized, and genuinely luxurious," adding that "on delivery day, I honestly felt like a princess." That kind of white-glove delivery experience matters more on a six-figure OCTA order than on an entry-level configuration, and it's the same team handling both.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Defender V8 and OCTA?
Different engines entirely. V8 runs a 5.0-liter supercharged engine at 518 hp; OCTA runs a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 at 626 hp with dedicated 6D Dynamics suspension. They share a name in casual conversation but not a powertrain.
Is the OCTA available on the 90 or 130 body style?
No — for 2026, OCTA and OCTA Black are 110-body-only configurations. Buyers wanting OCTA-level performance in a different body style should ask Land Rover Solon about current and upcoming Defender programs.
How much does a 2026 Defender OCTA cost?
MSRP starts at $158,800 for the standard OCTA and $170,550 for OCTA Black, plus the $1,950 destination charge, before Ohio sales tax, registration, and options. The V8 trim starts at $118,300 plus destination.
Does the V8 or OCTA require premium fuel?
Yes, both call for premium fuel; confirm the exact requirement for your specific engine with your owner's manual or a Land Rover Solon service advisor.
Test drive the top of the range
The gap between the supercharged V8 and the twin-turbo OCTA is easiest to feel behind the wheel. Both are available to see and test drive at 6137 Kruse Drive, alongside financing options built for a purchase at this price point.
MSRP figures exclude the $1,950 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Performance and fuel-economy figures are manufacturer and EPA estimates, and real-world results will differ. Confirm current specs, availability, and top-speed figures (which vary by wheel package) with Land Rover Solon. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Land Rover Solon.
