The Range Rover Velar is an eye-catching vehicle. It isn't the most comfortable or ergonomic SUV available, nor is it the most practical. Instead, it's here to leave its mark on the world and announce your stylish arrival to everyone. Thus, one of the best-looking mid-size SUVs on the market has been produced by Land Rover's designers, but what lies beneath the surface? Is a suitable foundation enhancing its lovely brows and chiseled face?
The Velar is a properly tuned and well-packaged SUV, which is good news. It is roomy where it matters, elegant where it counts, and luxurious everywhere. And since we tested it for the first time in 2018, it has held up remarkably well. Its visual footprint is reduced and it appears lower, sleeker, and sportier thanks to the optional blacked-out exterior trim pieces, the black contrast roof, and the retractable door handles that stay flush with the body and only protrude when unlocked.
The elegant and stylish interior is no different. The Union Jack design on the pores of the leather seats, the subtle wood accents on the door panels, the flat window sills that let you comfortably rest your arm, and the largest door handles we have ever seen on a road car are just a few of the exquisite details in the exquisitely designed cabin. Even the arrow-shaped metallic paddle shifters exude the highest quality and provide more engaging feedback than those in six-figure sports cars like the BMW M5 and Audi RS 6. The steering wheel is covered in the softest leather, glossy panels conceal the tactile buttons, and even the paddle shifters are made of metal. Strangely, compared to the hides used to make the Evoque, the leather on the door panel and armrest is a little bit grainier and coarser.
If you thought the Evoque was too small, you'll find the Velar to be much roomier and more open. Six-foot adults can fit comfortably in the back seats, and the large sunroof provides enough light to prevent claustrophobia. The optional 20-way adjustable seats have a decent massaging feature with five modes and five strengths. They knurl and knead vigorously, and while it won't ever be able to replace an OSIM chair, it is powerful enough to make you reach for the massage button each time you get into the car.
It would be unfair to the Velar to refer to it as the Evoque's bigger brother because, at least with the P400 powertrain we tested, the Velar feels ten times smoother and more refined on the road. When disengaging the brake hold, it is much less jittery and the power delivery is much more linear and vibration-free. The P400 has a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a mild hybrid system that produces 395 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 5.5 seconds. Although it doesn't have the same level of polish as an inline-six from the BMW or Mercedes camp, the Velar has good power and plenty of low-end grunt, which makes it feel sporty and lively when accelerating.
However, the comfort of the ride is what stands out. The Velar, which has an electronic air suspension, can handle rough terrain better than the Porsche Cayenne and Jaguar F-Pace because it can absorb bumps and potholes more effectively. At highway speeds, the ride is even more impressive because it exhibits excellent on-road stability, barely swaying as triple digits climb and into the harsh turbulence of large lorries. The amount of body roll is also negligible, and the steering is fluid enough to feel engaging.
Even better, the Velar P400 produced fuel consumption figures that were comparable to those of the four-cylinder Evoque P250 that we just tested last week thanks to its mild hybrid assist. We averaged 12.1 L/100km while driving in the city and over the highway, respectively. Compared to the 12.2 L/100 km we achieved in the smaller, less potent Evoque, this is an improvement.
The Velar demonstrates that it is more than just a pretty face. Underneath, there is appropriate substance. With prices starting at $64,600 for the base model, however, and our heavily optioned R-Dynamic HSE P400 ringing in at $91,100, it is by no means a value offering. With that much money, you could buy a fully equipped Defender 110 or even high-performance SUVs like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and the Jaguar F-Pace SVR. However, if you're looking for a stylish, upscale SUV that comes equipped with every luxury amenity under the sun, the Velar and its stunning sheetmetal will make sure you never go unnoticed.
Specifications:
- Model: 2022 Range Rover Velar P400 R-Dynamic HSE
- Paint Type: Eiger Grey
- Base Price: $85,700
- Price as Tested: $91,100
- Wheelbase(mm): 2,874
- Length/Width/Height (mm): 4,797 / 2,041 / 1,683
- Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with mild-hybrid
- Horsepower: 395 hp @ 5,500 - 6,500 rpm
- Torque: 405 lb-ft @ 2,000 - 5,000 rpm
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
- Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 12.1
- Wheels: 21" Style 5109, Diamond Turned with Satin Dark Grey contrast
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