Jaguar Land Rover tipped to launch compact Defender SUV 2027
Jaguar Land Rover is gearing up to launch a new compact SUV under the Defender brand, tipped to debut sometime in 2027.
It will come in both hybrid and fully electric versions, so you get eco-friendly options without losing that rugged Defender vibe.
The new model will be just over 4.5 meters long and slot in below the current Defender, making it more city-friendly but still adventure-ready.
Defender brand adopts EMA platform
The upcoming compact Defender rides on JLR's Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), marking the first big move since Defender became its own brand alongside Range Rover and Discovery.
Mark Cameron, the managing director for the Defender and Discovery brands, admits that fitting batteries underneath might limit some wheel movement compared to bigger Defenders, but he promises this compact version will still lead its class off-road.
JLR also says it is working hard to make future hybrids and EVs even better while keeping that classic Defender feel.