Land Rover is making a big push into the electrification market and is planning to introduce six battery-powered models in the next five years. Currently, the brand’s line-up features a hybrid fuel-cell model and a fully zero-emissions hydrogen model in development.

The land rover electric defender is part of this push, with the new SUV set to make its debut in 2025. Auto Express reports that it’s based on Land Rover’s MLA Flex architecture and will come with a 100 kWh battery pack, which can deliver a 300-mile (483-km) range.

It’s powered by a single-speed, 475 newton-meter (350 pound-feet) electric motor borrowed from Tesla. That unit drives the front and rear axles through a limited-slip differential, which splits torque between each pair of wheels.

The Silent Revolution: Exploring the Allure of the Land Rover Electric Defender

A single button is all you need to switch between drive modes, which can be found on the touchscreen. Off-road capabilities remain unchanged, and the car also supports a full suite of safety equipment including blind-spot warning, radar-guided cruise control and lane-keeping steering.

Driving it on the motorway is surprisingly comfortable, and the Defender feels far more like a road-biased SUV than a heavy, gruff old Land Rover. Steering and ride are still very smooth and compliant, with body roll being incredibly minimal through corners, thanks to the air suspension.

The brakes have been improved too, with a more consistent pedal, and the brake pads work well enough to stop a vehicle in a hurry. This Defender isn’t a sports car, but it can handle its own, and owners of the original models will be astonished by how well it handles on the open road.