Range Rover Velar Review 2023
The Range Rover Velar is a perfect example of how to blend style and practicality. With a slick exterior, a roomy interior, and a great range of technology, the Velar would be a good choice for families who want a versatile mid-sized SUV.
Rivals to the Range Rover Velar include the BMW X4, Porsche Macan, Audi Q8, Mercedes GLC Coupe, and the BMW X6.
Our Range Rover Velar review covers:
- Mid-sized SUV with raised front grille and sloping roof
- Well-built interior featuring two 10-inch touchscreens
- 552-litre boot which can be extended to 1,358 litres with the rear seats folded
- A choice of diesel, petrol, and plug-in hybrid engines
- Eight trim levels are available
Pros:
- Mild and plug-in hybrid technology available
- Generous boot
- Versatile for both urban and rural driving
Cons:
- On-the-road performance falls short of rivals
- Rear legroom is limited
- Expensive to lease
Range Rovers have always been good-looking SUVs, and the Velar continues this trend. It has a raised front grille, a declining roof at the rear, and fake bonnet vents that make for a dominating road presence. You can also choose the style you want through the Velar's four models.
On the inside, the Velar is pretty generous in terms of space. There's a good amount of headroom throughout the cabin, and although legroom in the front is generous, it's limited in the rear compared to its rivals. There are lots of cubbies for storage, and the door bins can take a 500ml bottle each, but the centre armrest is surprisingly small.
Boot space for the Velar comes in at 552 litres which can be extended to 1,358 litres with the rear seats split 40/20/40. However, be wary if you choose the P400e engine, as boot space decreases to 503 litres to accommodate the battery under the floor.
The interior of the Velar is one that most will be happy with. Coming as standard is leather seats, a range of soft-touch materials, and a simple and easy-to-use dashboard and infotainment system. Build quality could do with a bit of improvement, making the Velar fall behind rivals such as the Audi Q8 and BMW X4.
In terms of technology, you'll find two 10-inch touchscreens on the dashboard. The screen closer to the windscreen controls the infotainment system, which has sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The second screen controls the climate and off-road driving options but can also step up and control the infotainment system if required.
A vast amount of customisation is available for the Velar. You get a choice of four different models, which define the look and feel of the car, and eight different trim levels.
The trim levels are: Velar, Velar S, Velar SE, R-Dynamic, R-Dynamic SE, R-Dynamic HSE, Edition, and HST.
The entry-level Velar comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, eight-way manual heated front seats, keyless entry, cruise control, LED headlights, and front and rear parking aids.
The Velar S features 19-inch alloy wheels, 14-way heated driver memory front seats, LED headlights with signature DRL, a Meridian sound system, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition.
Velar SE has 20-inch alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights, blind spot assist, and heated electric power folding door mirrors.
R-Dynamic S and SE have the same equipment as the Velar S/SE but add to this with access to a wider range of engines and sportier styling.
The R-Dynamic comes with 21-inch alloy wheels, perforated Windsor leather seats, 20-way heated and cooled memory front seats, an electrically adjustable steering column, and a fixed panoramic roof.
Edition adds to this with 20-inch alloy wheels in gloss black, privacy glass, a sliding panoramic roof, and a black styling pack.
The top-of-the-range HST comes with 21-inch alloy wheels in gloss black, access to the exclusive P400 engine, and suede cloth inserts on the seats and steering wheel.
A range of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines are available for the Range Rover Velar. Both the petrol and diesel engines feature mild-hybrid technology, whilst all units come with all-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox.
Two diesel units are available, the entry-level D200 and the more-powerful D300. The 200 will be good enough for most, coming with a top speed of 130mph and achieving 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds. It also has a good economy for a car of its size, returning 44.2 mpg.
Two petrol units are also available, the P250 and P400. The 250 is similar to the entry-level diesel, but the 400 really packs a punch; it has a top speed of 155mph and achieves 0-60mph in just 5.2 seconds. However, for power you sacrifice economy, with the P400 returning just 27.8mpg.
For those wanting to go green, one plug-in hybrid option is available with the P400e. Similar to its petrol counterpart, it's pretty powerful, achieving 0-60mph in just 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 130mph. Its all-electric range is 31 miles, and it comes with a combined fuel economy of 120.9 mpg.
On the road, the Velar won't blow you away, but it certainly won't disappoint. The standard suspension is soft and controls the car well over undulating roads, but potholes and large bumps can cause some trouble. This is where the optional air suspension comes in; it's available with all engines apart from the P400e and allows you to vary the suspension depending on the terrain.
For a car of the Velar's size, steering is responsive and engaging enough for a decent drive. However, it does feel fairly heavy when you're behind the wheel, making it fall short of some of its competitors.
Prices for the new Range Rover Velar start from £53,405.00 OTR* or to lease from £597.92 per month.
Looking to lease the Range Rover Velar? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's biggest car leasing brokers and has a range of leasing deals available to suit your every need.
Leasing may prove to be cheaper than buying, thanks to a low initial payment, fixed monthly rentals, and a range of benefits included in your lease deal such as road tax and breakdown cover.
*'On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.
