The Range Rover Velar is a five-seater crossover that combines off-road style with at least some level of Land Rover off-road prowess and impressive on-road manners. Compare it to the Audi Q5, Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60.
Velar is more than just a pretty face. It impresses in almost every situation, and its lineup includes powerful mild-hybrid engines. We give the Velar a TCC of 7.0 out of 10. (Learn more about how we rate vehicles.)
The new top-of-the-line HST features a 395-horsepower mild-hybrid inline-6 engine now fitted to many Velar models, as well as adaptive dampers and air springs, as well as a range of driving modes. Sports suspension tuning. The Velar range includes a surround view camera system and an automatic parking assistance system.
With its Range Rover-inspired exterior and sleek interior, the Velar is a Scandinavian, fashion-forward choice that makes almost all of its rivals look solid. For a fee, Land Rover can paint and finish the vehicle in any color or material you like.
Beneath its beautiful body, the Velar shares a foundation with the Jaguar F-Pace – and that’s not bad, as we say. The interior space is suitable for four or five passengers, and there is enough cargo space for a family trip.
The Velar range starts with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 247 horsepower to all four wheels. A powerful 3.0-litre turbocharged supercharged Land Rover inline-six engine with 340 to 395 horsepower was used on some versions of the R-Dynamic S and HST. The engine is equipped with a 48-volt electrical system to save fuel and increase power. The Velar moves with authority with a new inline 6-cylinder engine that handles like its F-Pace cousin.
The cabin is roomy for four large passengers, but the roofline is low. A panoramic glass roof illuminates the cabin, while Land Rover further dampens road rumble with Active Noise Cancellation. Few cars can match the Velar’s understated charm. Its interior is great.
The Velar comes with a high level of standard active safety equipment, although adaptive cruise control is optional. The available surround view camera system should also help reduce the risk of these fancy wheels being limited.
The Velar is equipped with Land Rover’s latest infotainment system, which uses two screens but now offers faster operation thanks to a flatter menu structure. Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is back on.
Don’t expect to drive a Velar for less than $61,000. A new HST will cost at least $80,475.
By off-road standards, the 2021 Range Rover Velar is as balanced as possible. We put the perfect 10.
The Velar copies the larger Land Rover SUVs but gives them a sleeker look. Note the signature clamshell hood, wide grille and narrow headlights, as well as the ventilated roofline. It’s as sleek and supple as a low-slung European station wagon, with a supple seating position that’s nothing like a traditional SUV.
Inside, the dual screens are hardly distracting. Like the Volvo SUV, the Velar makes a low-key statement. Before you bring home the first Velar you come across, take some time to explore the Land Rover configurator. There are many options for decorative finishes and upholstery.
All versions of the Land Rover Range Rover Velar have all-wheel drive, and despite the nearly 10-inch ground clearance provided by the optional air suspension, it’s a stylish urban SUV.
The Velar is fast in its base form, and with the available power of a turbocharged and supercharged inline-6, it’s pretty quick. We gave the Velar a 7 out of 10 for its smooth ride, handling and impressive acceleration as standard.
The Turbo 4 is rated at 247 horsepower and can propel this SUV to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. The base engine works well with the 8-speed automatic, although the control knob is a little annoying. However, engine noise and vibration leave a lasting impression – and not in a good way.
A 3.0-liter turbocharged supercharged inline-6 engine will arrive in 2021. It uses a 48-volt mild hybrid system that boosts off-line power and smoothes the Velar’s start/stop motion. It’s so well-integrated that it’s barely noticeable except when comparing gas mileage to previous supercharged V-6 engines. In the R-Dynamic S, it makes 335 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, and 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds. The HST gets a high-performance version tuned for 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, it’s capable of 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.
Velar provides a comfortable ride even with standard equipment. The optional air suspension works even more smoothly even with wheels up to 20 inches in diameter. Larger wheels are optional, but if you don’t live somewhere with absolutely perfect roads, skip it and email us so we can move there too.
The Velar offers crisp handling, cornering with less lean than its high ground clearance would suggest, further blurring the line between SUV and passenger car. The R-Dynamic version focuses more on looks than actual performance improvements. The optional electronically activated rear diff has brake-controlled torque vectoring that engages the internal calipers and helps the SUV corner confidently, but it’s an expensive option that few buyers are likely to choose. The Velar HST has the most sophisticated yet rewarding setup with air springs, adaptive damping and dedicated braking that reduces understeer through selective application of anti-lock braking.
Stretching about 190 inches between the bumpers, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar has enough room inside for four adults and their gear. The basic versions are great, but the multi-option versions are just decadent. We rate the Velar an 8 out of 10 on the TCC scale, which includes front seat comfort, materials and cargo space.
The front seats are comfortable all day long and the spacious interior provides good forward visibility. Rear seat drivers will be fine in the side seats, but three in a row is too much. If you have tall friends or teenage kids, pay extra for the power rear seats as there’s plenty of headroom in the back.
Cargo space with a vertical second row is about 34 cubic feet. Double the space with the rear seats folded down and Land Rover is happy to sell you roof rails for even more trunk space.
Leather comes standard and the Land Rover lives up to Volvo’s attention to detail. Refined touches, such as the perforated Union Jack graphics on the seats, add value to the SUV even more than its price would suggest.
We don’t know exactly how the Range Rover Velar will behave in a crash as it hasn’t been tested, but it does come with ample crash protection as standard.
Automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitors, adaptive cruise control and a surround view camera system are standard across the range. Active lane control, steering assist with adaptive cruise control and a few other items are optional.
Land Rover is offering the 2021 Range Rover Velar a plethora of options and finishes that make the SUV stand out in just about any shape. We rate it an 8 out of 10 due to the good base and great extras including the dual screen infotainment system.
A 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is standard, but Land Rover doesn’t get the free service that comes with Jaguar.
Land Rover offers Velar in three main versions, which differ in engine power. The base car costs $61,575 before options, but we’d pay $8,900 more for the inline-6. All things considered, it’s not a huge price jump for more power. Standard features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, 19-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, power front seats, 14-way adjustable, a 12-speaker Meridian audio system, and two 10-inch touchscreen controls infotainment system including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and automatic climate control
The latest Pivi Pro infotainment system works better in the Velar than the old Land Rover system. It’s more responsive, it lacks the confusing layering of features on the screen, and it’s compatible with wireless smartphones so you can easily use CarPlay or Android coverage if you want.
If you don’t like its looks, skip the $63,675 R-Dynamic S with the base engine, but the R-Dynamic trim is a great platform for the inline 6, and the total price is $70,475.
Land Rover charges extra for most paint colors – a whopping $9,200 for a specialty white. Instead, splurge on a customizable digital instrument cluster, head-up display, and steering-assisted adaptive cruise control.
This year, we’ve upgraded our fuel economy ratings as more electric vehicles hit the market. Our Velar score of 2 out of 10 is based on the base turbo 4, which last year was rated at 20 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. The average R-Dynamic S gets 20/26/22 mpg, while the HST gets 19/25/21 mpg.
Post time: Dec-12-2022