The Land Rover Defender family is set to expand with the introduction of a smaller, electrified SUV, tentatively named the Defender Sport, scheduled to launch in 2027. According to Autocar, this model will become the second addition to Land Rover’s Defender sub-brand, which focuses on rugged SUVs.
Previous reports had speculated about a compact version of the Defender, with intentions to release it as early as 2023. However, Autocar has recently indicated that a prototype of the upcoming Defender Sport has been spotted, confirming ongoing development. The vehicle maintains the distinctive silhouette of its larger counterparts, albeit at a significantly reduced size; it is expected to measure approximately 4.6 metres in length and 2.0 metres in width, while standing at a height of around 1.8 metres.
The Defender Sport is anticipated to be designed with a greater emphasis on on-road performance compared to the full-sized Defender. It will reportedly utilise Jaguar Land Rover’s new Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), a platform initially intended solely for electric vehicles (EVs). However, shifting trends in global EV demand could see the architecture adapted for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) compatibility, broadening its application. The EMA will also underpin other forthcoming models, such as the Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque, with production expected to occur in the UK.
Significantly, the EMA will utilise an 800-volt architecture, and components including electric motors and batteries are planned to be manufactured at a new facility in Somerset, operated by Tata, JLR’s parent company.
The new Landrover Sport, as Autocar believes it could look…
The introduction of the Defender Sport aligns with a broader strategy to offer a smaller ‘Sport’ variant across all three Land Rover sub-brands, which currently includes the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Sport. Nonetheless, sources indicate that the future of the Discovery Sport may be in jeopardy, as it has not been one of Land Rover’s top-selling models since its last major update in 2014.
The Defender has solidified its popularity in various markets, including Australia, where it constituted 40 per cent of Land Rover’s total sales in 2024. Originally launched as a utilitarian off-roader, the Defender underwent a transformation in 2020 to become a more luxurious off-road SUV, yet it has continued to resonate strongly with consumers.
As the compact luxury SUV segment heats up, the Defender Sport will face competition from other manufacturers, including a smaller version of the G-Class from Mercedes-Benz, which is reportedly under development and aims to combine stylish looks with enhanced everyday practicality.
