Range Rover Velar (2023 - )

I always find it hard to mention the Range Rover Velar without adding an ‘Oo-Velar’ to the mix, but that’s probably just me. The vehicle, however, does have that instant appeal with its gorgeous low-slung styling, along with a wealth of high-end technology.

There is a choice of powertrains with a number of mild hybrid petrol or diesel options, along with a plug-in hybrid variant. Prices start from £55,410 for Velar S with the lower-powered mild hybrid diesel engine. Then at the other end of the scale is the Range Rover Velar Autobiography, costing up to £77,735 when matched to the more powerful mild hybrid petrol engine.

We opted for the mid-trim Dynamic SE P400e model powered by the plug-in hybrid powertrain priced at £69,670.

The vehicle recently received a number of upgrades with enhanced exterior and interior design, along with updated technology. And just to clarify, the Velar sits between the Range Rover Sport and the Evoque in the line-up.
 

With its rakish good looks, the latest Range Rover Velar is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it passes. It oozes class with sweeping light clusters, tinted rear windows, a black contrast roof, flush door handles, and 21-inch alloys with red brake calipers.

Move inside and there is a panoramic roof, grained leather powered seats that can be heated or ventilated, a heated steering wheel, head-up display, plus an 11.4-inch curved touchscreen infotainment set-up offering access to a wealth of on-board tech.

Features include the latest Pivi Pro software and there is sat nav, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a DAB radio, a pitch perfect Merdian sound system, Bluetooth and plenty more besides.

Physical buttons are kept to a minimum, which in the main, works fine. But on bumpy roads, it can be a tad irritating having to navigate fiddly touchscreen icons to complete fairly simplistic tasks. Luckily, the voice activated assistant can help with instructions such as increasing or decreasing the temperature and making phone calls, but we did prefer the older format with a separate climate control panel.

However, the Range Rover Velar certainly covers all the comfort bases exceptionally well with luxurious fixtures and fittings throughout and all the creature comforts you could wish for. In fact, after a four-hour stint behind the wheel, I still felt refreshed getting out of the car.

And while we welcome all the safety technology possible in modern cars, the incessant beeping is not only annoying, but also quite distracting. Thankfully, by pressing a steering wheel button three times, the sounds can be de-activated for a far more peaceful driving experience.
 

Powering our Range Rover Velar plug-in hybrid model (badged as the P400e) was a 2.0-litre petrol engine with electric motor delivering a combined 404hp and 640Nm of torque. This results in impressive performance figures with a 0-60mph sprint time of just 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. The EV-only range is in the region of 38 miles.

The vehicle is the ultimate motorway cruiser, quickly accelerating to 70mph and sitting effortlessly mile after mile. But it’s deceptively agile too and can demonstrate its sportier side when faced with twisting country lanes with sharp, smooth acceleration through the eight-speed automatic transmission with paddles for added driver engagement.

For its 2.2-tonne weight and full SUV dimensions, it corners confidently and the suspension system does an excellent job of smoothing out our pitted roads along the way. Additionally, it comes with the reassurance of permanent all-wheel drive so will be prepared for any of Mother Nature’s mood swings.

Although the Velar is not as tall as the full-sized Range Rover or Sport variant, the seating position is still nicely elevated resulting in excellent all-round driver visibility, which is a major plus-point in busy city centres with cars, cyclists and pedestrians darting out from all directions.

Drive modes called Eco, Comfort and Dynamic, along with a Sport mode enabled via the gear lever, change the car’s handling and reactions considerably, and there are also off-road settings. When venturing away from the Tarmac, an Auto Terrain Response will set up everything for you or you can manually choose modes called Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand or Mud Ruts.
 

Space and practicality are areas that the five-door, five-seat Range Rover Velar scores highly in, with bundles of room up front for a couple of six footers and space in the back for two more tall adults or a trio of youngsters to sit comfortably.

The vehicle has a strong road presence with plenty of kerb appeal, stretching 4,797mm in length, 2,147mm across (including mirrors), 1,683mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,874mm.

And there will be no luggage restrictions for passengers either as the boot, which is accessed via a powered tailgate, can accommodate 503 litres, increasing to 1,335 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

In addition, there are numerous storage compartments scattered throughout the car, including a locking glovebox, deep cubby with USB ports (two more in the back), front and rear cup holders, a wireless charging pad, door bins and seat back pockets.

But this is a Range Rover and any car carrying that title and badge needs to have go-anywhere potential. And this SUV meets those expectations full on. Despite sticking firmly to the Tarmac during this test, the vehicle can wade up to a depth of 530mm, boasts an off-road ride height of 215mm with approach and departure angles of 26.1 and 26.7 degrees respectively and it can tow a braked trailer or caravan weighing up to two tonnes.
 

The Range Rover Velar is a premium car with a price-tag to match. But with so much choice between trim levels and powertrains, it’s more likely you can get a vehicle that suits your budget.
The entry-level S version costs from £55,410, but if you are looking for PHEV technology, that same Velar S model increases to £65,445. Staying with plug-in powertrains, the range-topping Velar Autobiography costs £75,005, while our mid-grade Velar Dynamic SE was priced at £69,670.

But as is the case with most premium marques, the price is just the entry point with a wealth of optional extras to choose from … at a cost.

For example, the final price of our test model rose to £76,855 with the introduction of Zadar Grey paintwork, a black contrast roof, privacy glass and 21-inch satin dark grey alloy wheels. An exterior pack added a number of more subtle design cues with black bonnet vents, lower air intakes and a lower blade pinstripe, while there was a Dynamic Handling Pack along with a Cold Climate Pack, plus a sliding panoramic roof, a head-up display, alongside a tracker with a three-year subscription all helping to boost the cost.

According to WLTP testing, the Range Rover Velar can deliver up to 151.6mpg, but like all plug-in hybrids, the car’s 17.1kWh battery would need to be topped up regularly and the driver would need to make full use of the 38 miles of EV-only range. It’s worth noting that the battery supports fast charging though, so you can get a quick boost when away from home.

And the low carbon emissions figure of 42g/km does bring with it some financial rewards. It means the first-year road tax bill is a very respectable £110 increasing to the standard fee of £195 after 12 months. On the downside, the Government gives with one hand and takes away with the other because vehicles costing in excess of £40k are subject to a Premium Car Supplement which adds a further £425 to the annual tax bill from years two to six.
 

If you are in the market for a luxury SUV with excellent off-roading capabilities and you have a decent enough budget, the Range Rover Velar is certainly worth checking out.

Admittedly, the Land Rover brand has come under some criticism in recent years concerning reliability and also security, but those issues are being ironed out and the Velar has plenty to offer any active family that likes to stay one step ahead of the Jones’s.