2026 vs. 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 in Duluth, GA
Full-Size Luxury SUV Comparison
The 2026 Land Rover Defender 130 brings a meaningful technology refresh to one of the most capable three-row SUVs on the market. We stock both model years at Hennessy Land Rover Gwinnett, and this page gives you the honest side-by-side so you can decide which one fits your life.
The 2026 Defender 130 and 2025 Defender 130 are both full-size, three-row luxury SUVs with seating for up to eight, up to 8,200 lbs of towing capacity when properly equipped, and powertrains ranging from 296 to 493 horsepower. The key differences are the 2026's larger 13.1-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen, redesigned center console, updated exterior lighting, and standard adaptive off-road cruise control.
Shoppers near Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Suwanee, and Johns Creek come to us with the same question: is the newer model year worth it, or does the 2025 still deliver everything you need? Read through the comparison below. Then come see both on our lot.
Max Seating:
8 Passengers
Touchscreen:
13.1 Inches (2026)
Towing:
Up to 8,200 lbs
Power Range:
296–493 hp
Two Model Years. One Legendary Name.
What Actually Changed from the 2025 to the 2026 Defender 130
The Defender 130 is not a vehicle Land Rover reinvents from scratch each year. That is a feature. The 2026 builds on a proven foundation and sharpens it in specific, tangible ways rather than redesigning things that already worked.
The most noticeable upgrade is inside. Every 2026 Defender 130 comes standard with a 13.1-inch curved glass Pivi Pro touchscreen, up from the 2025's 10-inch base display. That is not a minor bump. It is a genuinely different experience at the center of the dashboard.
Land Rover also reworked the center console. The gear shifter moved to a more ergonomic position, and a sliding hidden storage compartment replaces the open tray. The 2026 adds a driver-facing attention monitoring camera as standard, tracking eye gaze to confirm driver focus on the road ahead.
Outside, the updates are deliberate rather than dramatic. Redesigned LED headlights, flush taillights with smoked lenses, and a gloss black grille give the 2026 a sharper, more cohesive look. Two new paint options join the palette: Woolstone Green and Borasco Grey. The 130 also gains an optional integrated air compressor for adjusting tire pressure on the trail, a practical capability the 2025 does not offer.
Adaptive off-road cruise control is now standard on the 2026, managing speed and traction on rough terrain automatically. It builds on the existing All Terrain Progress Control system the Defender has carried for years.
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The Engine Room.
Powertrains, Towing, and Off-Road Capability: What Both Years Share
This is where the 2025 holds its own completely. Both model years run the same core Defender architecture: full-time all-wheel drive, standard electronic air suspension, Terrain Response 2, and an 8-speed automatic transmission across every configuration.
Both years offer the same three engine tiers. The P300 is a 3.0L inline-six mild hybrid producing 296 horsepower and up to 347 lb-ft of torque. The P400 produces 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft. At the top, the P500 supercharged V8 delivers 493 horsepower and 450 lb-ft with a 0–60 time of 5.4 seconds. None of these changed between model years.
One capability difference is worth noting. The 2026 is rated to tow up to 8,200 lbs when properly equipped. The 2025 is rated at up to 7,716 lbs when properly equipped. For most buyers towing a boat, a trailer, or a recreational rig, both numbers are more than sufficient. Working regularly near the top of that range, the 2026 gives you more margin.
Off-road, both trucks are equally serious. Terrain Response 2 adjusts throttle, transmission, and stability settings based on driving conditions. Air suspension lifts the body for added ground clearance when the trail demands it. The 2026 adds adaptive off-road cruise control on top, but the 2025 is no less capable in the terrain that counts.
The Cabin Experience.
Inside the 2026 vs. the 2025: Technology and Comfort Compared
Sit in a 2026 Defender 130, then a 2025. The powertrain difference is invisible to most drivers. The interior difference is not.
The jump from a 10-inch to a 13.1-inch curved glass Pivi Pro screen changes how the cabin feels. The 2026 screen anchors a more deliberate dashboard layout. The repositioned gear shifter falls closer to a natural hand position. The hidden console storage feels like something that should have always been there.
Both years share the same core Defender interior character: exposed hardware paired with soft-touch surfaces, configurable ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and rubber-ready flooring for easy cleanup after a day outside. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on both. The 2025 is not a lesser interior. It is the one that existed before Land Rover made these specific improvements.
One number worth knowing on budget: the 2025 X-Dynamic SE includes the 11.4-inch screen and starts at $81,400. On the 2026, you get 13.1 inches from the base S trim at $74,850. Shoppers who want a larger screen and are watching their total spend may find the 2026 the more efficient path.
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Room for Everyone.
Three Rows, Eight Seats: The Defender 130's Defining Feature
The Defender 130 exists because of one decision Land Rover made: build the longest Defender with a real third row. The result is a vehicle that seats up to eight passengers and makes all of them reasonably comfortable. This is unchanged between model years.
The extended wheelbase gives the third row legitimate legroom. Third-row passengers get dedicated climate vents, heated seats on upper trims, and overhead glass above them. This is not the compromised jump-seat setup common in other three-row SUVs.
Maximum cargo volume reaches 76.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. For drivers who prioritize cargo over the third row, both the 2025 and 2026 offer the Outbound trim, a two-row configuration of the 130 body built to maximize load space.
Families driving in from Roswell, Sandy Springs, Cumming, and Dacula regularly tell us the 130's third row is the reason they chose it over the Defender 110. The long-wheelbase layout is the Defender 130's core value proposition, and it delivers on it across both model years.
2026 vs. 2025 Defender 130: Full Spec Comparison
| Feature | 2026 Defender 130 | 2025 Defender 130 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | Starting at $74,850 | Starting at $69,700 | 2025 |
| Engine Options | P300, P400, P500 V8 | P300, P400, P500 V8 | Even |
| Horsepower Range | 296–493 hp | 296–493 hp | Even |
| Towing Capacity | Up to 8,200 lbs | Up to 7,716 lbs | 2026 |
| EPA-Est. Fuel Economy | ~16–19 mpg combined | 16–19 mpg combined | Even |
| Touchscreen (base trim) | 13.1-inch Pivi Pro | 10-inch Pivi Pro | 2026 |
| Off-Road Cruise Control | Standard | Not available | 2026 |
| Exterior Lighting | Redesigned LED, smoked flush taillights | Standard LED | 2026 |
| Center Console | Redesigned, hidden storage, repositioned shifter | Standard layout | 2026 |
| Seating Capacity | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | Even |
The 2025 Defender 130 starts at $69,700, roughly $5,000 less than the 2026 base. It carries the same proven powertrains, the same AWD system, the same air suspension, and the same off-road capability that made the Defender 130 a benchmark. Shoppers who prioritize capability over cabin technology will find the 2025 a fully rational, fully capable choice. We stock both, and we will point you toward whichever model year actually matches your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the 2026 and 2025 Land Rover Defender 130?
The 2026 Defender 130 upgrades to a standard 13.1-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen, adds a redesigned center console with repositioned shifter and hidden storage, refreshes exterior lighting, and includes adaptive off-road cruise control across all trims. Powertrains, AWD, seating capacity, and air suspension are unchanged between model years.
Is the 2026 Defender 130 worth the higher price over the 2025?
The 2026 starts at approximately $5,000 more than the 2025 but delivers a significantly larger infotainment screen, a more refined interior layout, and updated off-road technology as standard equipment. Shoppers who prioritize the cabin experience will find the difference worth it. Shoppers focused on off-road capability may find the 2025 equally satisfying at a lower entry point.
Do the 2026 and 2025 Defender 130 have the same towing capacity?
Not exactly. The 2026 is rated to tow up to 8,200 lbs when properly equipped; the 2025 is rated at up to 7,716 lbs. Both capacities cover most trailer, boat, and recreational towing needs. If you tow regularly near the top of that range, the 2026 offers additional margin.
Does the Defender 130 really seat eight people comfortably?
Yes. The extended wheelbase gives third-row passengers genuine legroom, and upper trims add heated seats, dedicated climate vents, and overhead glass. This layout is identical across both the 2026 and 2025 Defender 130.
Can I see both the 2026 and 2025 Defender 130 at Hennessy Land Rover Gwinnett in Duluth?
Yes. We stock both model years at 3423 Old Norcross Rd in Duluth, GA. Shoppers from Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Cumming, Loganville, and across Gwinnett County are welcome to compare both in person. Call us at 888-321-4783 or browse current inventory online.
Come Test Drive Both Model Years at Hennessy Land Rover Gwinnett
Both the 2026 and 2025 Defender 130 are on our lot. We serve drivers across Duluth, Atlanta, Suwanee, Roswell, Johns Creek, Macon, and beyond. Our team knows every trim, every package, and every real-world difference between these two model years. Come drive them both and decide for yourself.
