Since it came out in 2017, the Range Rover Velar, a mid-size luxury crossover SUV from Jaguar Land Rover, has found a unique place in the crowded premium SUV market. The name Velar comes from the Italian word “velare,” which means “to veil” or “cover.” This is a nod to the codename used for the first Range Rover prototypes in the 1960s. The Velar has a modern design, the latest technology, and the brand’s famous off-road ability. The Velar is in the middle of the compact Range Rover Evoque and the larger Range Rover Sport. It has a great mix of style and usefulness that will appeal to buyers who want style without giving up substance. This article talks about the Velar’s design, performance, technology, and where it fits in the world of luxury SUVs.
A Modern Icon with a Striking Design
The Range Rover Velar is often praised for how it looks. At the 2018 World Car Awards, it was named “World’s Most Beautiful Car.” Its simple, sleek design makes it stand out in a group of cars with bold and aggressive looks. The Velar has a clean, aerodynamic shape thanks to its smooth lines, floating roofline, and door handles that retract when not in use. The 2023 facelift made some small changes to the Velar’s look, such as a new grille, sharper Pixel LED headlights with signature daytime running lights, and a more polished rear bumper. These changes keep the Velar looking new.
The Velar’s cabin is a great example of modern luxury. The minimalist interior focuses on form and function, using high-quality materials like perforated Windsor leather, suede headliners (on higher trims), and metal accents. The Pivi Pro infotainment system has a 11.4-inch curved glass touchscreen that takes up most of the center console. It controls everything from navigation to climate settings. This design style, which is similar to Tesla’s, cuts down on physical buttons to make the dashboard look clean and modern. However, some critics say that this makes the dashboard less useful. The panoramic sunroof, which comes in fixed or sliding versions, lets in a lot of light, making the cabin feel even more open and airy. The sloping roofline does make it a little less practical for taller passengers because it reduces headroom in the back. This makes it less practical than boxier competitors like the Land Rover Discovery.
Power and poise in performance
There are different powertrains available for the Range Rover Velar, and they all come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). There are gas, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options, and most engines have mild-hybrid technology built in to make them more efficient. This is a list of the most important powertrains:
P250 (Petrol): A four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine that makes 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. It works well enough for everyday driving, but it doesn’t have the power of more expensive models and feels underpowered for a car the size of the Velar.
The P400 (Petrol) has a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that is both turbocharged and supercharged, as well as a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It makes 395 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. This engine is powerful, with a 0-60 mph time of about 5.2 seconds. This makes it great for merging onto the highway and driving with a lot of energy.
The D200 (201 hp, 430 Nm) and D300 (296 hp) diesel engines, both with mild-hybrid tech, give you great torque for towing (up to 5,500 lbs) and driving off-road. The D300 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and gets 36.7 to 39.2 mpg.
The P400e is a plug-in hybrid that has a 2.0-liter petrol engine and a 105 kW electric motor. It has 404 horsepower and can go up to 39 miles on electric power alone (WLTP), but real-world estimates say it can only go 25 to 30 miles. With a fast DC charger, it can charge from 0 to 80% in about 30 minutes. This makes it a tax-efficient choice for people who drive company cars.
The Terrain Response 2 system on the Velar makes it better at driving off-road by automatically changing settings for different types of terrain, like mud, sand, or snow. The Velar isn’t as tough as the Land Rover Defender, but it can cross water that is up to 23.6 inches deep, clear obstacles that are 8.4 inches high, and has approach and departure angles of 24.3 and 26.3 degrees, respectively. The optional air suspension (standard on higher trims) makes the ride smooth and calm on the road, but the Velar leans more in corners than sportier cars like the Porsche Macan or BMW X4. Dynamic mode makes the suspension stiffer for better handling, but the Velar puts comfort ahead of quickness.
A digital sanctuary for technology and features
The Velar has a lot of high-tech features that make it easy for the driver and comfortable for the passengers. The Pivi Pro infotainment system, which has been updated for 2023, is easy to use and quick to respond. It works with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and updates over the air. The 3D Surround Camera gives you a 360-degree view to make it easier to drive, and features like Active Road Noise Cancellation and Cabin Air Ionisation with a PM2.5 filter make the cabin a peaceful and healthy place to be. The Autobiography and other higher trims come with a Meridian 3D surround sound system, seats that can be heated and cooled in 20 different ways, and a head-up display.
Standard features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking make the car very safe. Owners can keep an eye on and control their cars from afar with the InControl Remote app. Secure Tracker Pro, on the other hand, lets users know when someone is trying to access their cars without permission, which makes them safer.
The Velar of 2026: An Electric Future
The 2026 Range Rover Velar will make a big jump into the electric vehicle (EV) market in the future. The all-electric Velar is built on Jaguar Land Rover’s Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform. It will be the first Land Rover to be designed from the ground up as a pure EV. Spy photos show a design that is lower, longer, and more dramatic, with a steeply raked rear window, frameless doors, and big wheels with low-profile tires. The EMA platform can charge at 800V for quick top-ups at up to 350 kW. The inside is expected to take digital integration to the next level with advanced driver-assistance systems and the ability to share data. The electric Velar will go up against high-end electric SUVs like the Porsche Macan EV, Polestar 3, and Audi Q6 E-tron Sportback. It will focus on being able to drive well on the road rather than off-road.
Prices and placement
The Range Rover Velar starts at ₹84.90 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 2.0-liter Petrol Dynamic SE in India. The top-of-the-line Diesel Autobiography costs ₹89.90 lakh. In the U.S., the P250 S starts at about $62,775 and the P400 Dynamic HSE goes up to $86,070. The Velar is competitively priced compared to rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Mercedes GLC. However, its higher trims are similar to more expensive models like the BMW X6 and Porsche Macan. The strong Land Rover brand helps its resale value, but some buyers are worried about how reliable it will be in the long run.
Good and bad points
The Velar is a great choice for people who care about style, luxury, and off-road ability because it has all three. Its smooth ride, cutting-edge technology, and adaptable powertrains make it suitable for a wide range of uses, from commuting in the city to light off-roading. But its handling isn’t as fun as that of sportier competitors, and people who like physical controls may not like the simple interior design. Compared to more practical competitors like the Lexus NX or Land Rover Discovery, the sloping roofline makes the back seat less comfortable and the cargo space smaller.
In conclusion
The Range Rover Velar is a great choice for people who want a luxury SUV that looks great, has modern technology, and performs well. It may not be as sporty as a Porsche Macan or as practical as a Land Rover Discovery, but its unique mix of style, sophistication, and off-road capability makes it stand out in the premium mid-size SUV market. The Velar is set to stay ahead of the curve in the changing world of luxury SUVs, especially with the all-electric 2026 model coming out soon. The Velar offers a driving experience that is both sophisticated and aspirational, making it hard to find something else like it.
