Land Rover is scaling down the Defender formula for the EV era. Prototypes of a new model, tipped to be called the Defender Sport, have been spotted on European roads ahead of a 2027 launch.
The baby Defender will sit beneath the full-sized model but keep the same boxy silhouette. Expect a flat bonnet, squared roofline and upright tail, scaled into a tighter footprint designed for city streets as much as muddy trails.
This smaller Defender will ride on a dedicated EV platform with dual-motor four-wheel drive. Camouflage hides most of the details, but slim LED headlights, flush door handles and a closed grille confirm its electric focus. No exhaust pipes here—this will be a pure battery-electric Land Rover.
Inside, the upright stance and flat roof should translate into a practical cabin with decent headroom, while Land Rover will lean into customisation with big alloys and optional roof designs to keep the lifestyle crowd happy. Rapid charging is expected, ensuring the Sport can compete with other premium EVs when it arrives.
Production will happen at Land Rover’s Halewood plant in England, using batteries supplied from Somerset. An official reveal could land in late 2026, just in time to square up against Mercedes’ baby G-Class, which is set to debut around the same period.
Both SUVs will aim at the same audience: buyers who want rugged styling, compact dimensions and electric drivetrains with a premium badge. Mercedes may add a hybrid option, but Land Rover’s Sport is expected to remain fully electric.
For Land Rover, the move extends the Defender brand into new territory. By offering a more approachable size and price point, the Sport will attract buyers who like the idea of a Defender but don’t want—or can’t park—the full-sized version.
With the Defender Sport and baby G-Class on the horizon, the compact luxury off-roader battle is shaping up to be one of the most interesting contests of the late 2020s.
