Land Rover's baby Defender: What we know about it

Land Rover is developing a smaller Defender expected around 2027, with hybrid and electric power and a distinctly boxy, off-road-focused design.

Prototypes are now being tested on the way to becoming the smallest member of the Defender family, with the compact SUV set to sit below the Defender 90. Its development also marks a shift towards a broader mix of hybrid and electric power for the Defender range.

Unofficially dubbed the baby Defender, its production name is still unconfirmed, while there’s no word yet on whether it’ll come to Australia, or what local specifications and pricing might look like.

Smaller Defender, new platform

The baby Defender is expected to be smaller than the current Defender 90, although Land Rover hasn’t released dimensions. Spy shots show a short, upright SUV with the squared-off proportions and familiar design cues of the current Defender.

Defender Sport has been widely reported as one possible name, while Defender 80 has also been suggested. Neither has been confirmed by Land Rover. Reports have also suggested the new model could arrive around 2027, although JLR has not given a firm launch date.

Underneath, it will use JLR’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform. JLR has confirmed the new Defender-family model will be offered with battery-electric and full hybrid electric powertrains, rather than being an EV-only proposition as originally expected.

The electric version is expected to use an 800-volt electrical architecture, according to reports on the EMA-based model, but battery capacity, range, charging speeds and power outputs haven’t been confirmed.

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Will it still be a proper 4WD?

That’s the bit Australian buyers will be watching, but there’s still plenty we don’t know.

Land Rover hasn’t released figures for ground clearance, wading depth, approach and departure angles, towing capacity or payload, so it’s too early to say how the baby Defender will stack up off-road.

The prototypes do suggest Land Rover isn’t simply building another small luxury SUV and sticking a Defender badge on it. The upright body, short overhangs and familiar Defender design all point towards a vehicle intended to retain the family’s off-road character.

One prototype has been spotted with a rear-mounted spare wheel, reinforcing the connection with the larger Defender models. More recently, however, a test vehicle appeared with a large rectangular box mounted to its side-hinged rear door. Exactly what it’s for isn’t known, although reports have suggested it could be related to EV charging equipment or tyre gear. Whether either setup makes it onto the production vehicle remains to be seen.

Will the baby Defender come to Australia?

There’s no confirmed Australian launch date, availability or pricing for the new model. Land Rover Australia’s current Defender range comprises the 90, 110, 130 and Hard Top, but the compact model hasn’t been announced for the local market.

Reports earlier this year suggested the baby Defender could reach markets including Australia around 2027, but that remains unconfirmed. If it does eventually make it here, its smaller footprint could appeal to buyers who like the Defender concept but don’t need the size of a 110 or 130. For now, though, that’s a potential Australian application rather than a confirmed local product.

The important details are still to come. How much it can tow, how much it can carry and how well it performs once the bitumen ends will tell us far more about the baby Defender than its styling ever will. For now, we know a smaller Defender is in development, with both electric and hybrid power confirmed for the EMA-based model. Whether Australian buyers will get the chance to buy one remains an open question.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Land Rover baby Defender?

It is the unofficial name for a new compact Defender expected to sit below the Defender 90.

When will the baby Defender launch?

Reports suggest a launch around 2027, although Land Rover has not confirmed a specific date.

Will the baby Defender be electric?

Yes. JLR has confirmed the new EMA-based Defender will be offered with both battery-electric and full hybrid powertrains.

Will the baby Defender come to Australia?

Australian availability has not been confirmed. There is currently no local launch date or pricing.

Will the baby Defender be a proper 4WD?

Its final off-road specifications haven’t been announced, so ground clearance, wading depth, towing capacity and other capability figures remain unknown.