- Land Rover has confirmed that it’s still working on a ‘baby’ Defender.
- The company says it will be ‘well advanced’ and plenty capable.
- The baby Defender will likely ride on an all-electric platform.
We haven’t heard much about Land Rover’s long-rumored “baby” Defender lately. The last major update was in 2024, when reports suggested the pint-sized off-roader was still in the works. Now, though, the project is picking up momentum—and the company is finally ready to share a few details.
In a recent conversation with Autocar, Land Rover brand director Mark Cameron confirmed that the smaller Defender is still on the way. He added that development is “well advanced” and suggested the compact SUV will be nearly as capable as its larger sibling.
Land Rover Defender 80 Rendering By Motor1
The new model will be the second vehicle in the newly established Defender sub-brand, which is set to grow into a full lineup of off-road-focused SUVs. Much like the Range Rover family, each Defender will have its own distinct design language and engineering, while staying true to what makes each Defender SUV special.
According to Cameron, the broader goal is to position Defender as a “luxury lifestyle brand.” Cameron notes that “we’ve got a portfolio of one model with several variants,” saying that he’s working “seven to 10 years ahead to build out this whole brand portfolio.”
What We Know So Far
Photo by: Land Rover
While most of the key details are still under wraps, the compact Defender is expected to ride on JLR’s Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform, which will underpin several upcoming electric SUVs. In other words, the baby Defender will be fully electric. A dual-motor setup is likely, with standard all-wheel drive.
In terms of size, the SUV is expected to measure around 177 inches long—slightly larger than a Ford Bronco Sport (172.7 inches). It should match up nicely with Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming baby G-Class.
Photo by: Land Rover
Naturally, its smaller footprint and electric platform may limit it compared to the full-size Defender. Still, Land Rover insists the compact model will remain true to the name, delivering genuine off-road capability where it counts.
As Cameron put it, “My job is to make sure we retain Defender’s DNA—otherwise we become just another SUV brand, and there are plenty of those.”
Motor1’s Take: Luxury brands like Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz making smaller versions of their iconic off-road SUVs is no bad thing. Offering similar capability at a more affordable price opens the door to even more enthusiasts.
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