What Is It?
So, the baby Land Rover Defender – expected to go by the name Defender Sport – is Land Rover’s shot at building a smaller, electric version of the iconic off-roader. It’s due out in 2027 and plays a big part in their move towards making more electric cars. Think of it as a shrunk-down, city-friendly take on the big Defender, but still keeping a lot of that classic rugged charm. It’s being built on JLR’s new electric platform – the EMA – which will also be used for future electric versions of the Evoque and Discovery.
This baby Defender is meant to take on compact electric SUVs like the BMW X1 and the upcoming smaller G-Class electric Merc. Basically, Land Rover’s trying to bring that rough-and-ready look and off-road feel to UK drivers who want something greener and a bit more manageable around town.
It’s going to be fully electric, riding on that new EMA platform built specifically for EVs. We don’t know all the specs yet, but it’s expected to hit between 250–300 miles on a full charge, which puts it roughly in line with other electric models in its class. Fast charging should be on the cards too, and it’ll get over-the-air updates so you won’t have to pop to the dealer for software tweaks.
All signs point towards a premium kind of drive – probably more refined than rugged underneath – but with quick charging and the kind of battery range that makes daily life pretty straightforward. We’re still waiting to hear exact bhp figures or how big the battery is, but early indications sound promising.
Inside, it’s expected to sit among the more high-end compact EV SUVs but with a Defender-style twist. We haven’t got photos yet, but JLR says the EMA platform will support a pretty slick infotainment system with regular software updates. A crisp central screen, improved sat nav, and fancy climate settings are reportedly on the list.
It’ll probably have a clean, pared-back interior, mixing rugged materials with quality touches – think tough but with a bit of finesse. We don’t know yet which features will really stand out, but considering who it’s up against, there’ll need to be some proper competition-level tech inside.
Due to land in 2027, the baby Land Rover Defender is shaping up to be a solid option in the premium compact EV world. No confirmed price yet, but it’s expected to fall somewhere between £37,000 and £42,000. That might even make it eligible for the UK’s EV grants – which could knock a handy £3,750 off the cost.
Lined up as a rival to the small electric G-Class from Mercedes, the Defender Sport could pack bags of character into a tidier, cleaner package. If it hits the mark on range and keeps that rugged Defender charm, it might well be one of the more appealing small electric off-roaders out there.
