2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

Being an all-new option from Land Rover, the Range Rover Velar is curated to serve to a large class of buyers. Consequently, it comes in as many as six trim levels, which are spread across a wide price range. The midsize luxury SUV is priced at around $50,000 for its base variant and charges $89,300 for the top-tier trim. While it is heavily equipped from the base variant itself, in the HSE trims, the Velar resonates with a palatial aura. It comes with three engine options, including a diesel powertrain, to uphold its versatility, and is available with a standard all-wheel drivetrain.

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Each trim of the Range Rover Velar is built keeping comfort and luxury in mind. So, even if you decide to opt for the base option, you would not regret your decision. For us, however, we feel that the R-Dynamic SE with its improved infotainment unit, better safety features, and an improved list of convenience specifications, makes it a viable proposition.

The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is motivated by either of two engine options. As standard, the SUV makes use of a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 unit, which produces 247hp and 269 lb.-ft of torque, and is best suited for everyday use. The other engine unit that buyers can avail of as standard on the First Edition and as optional on all other trims except the base is a 3.0L V6 unit that is good for 380hp and 332lb.-ft. Both these engine options are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and transfer power to all the wheels, which makes the ride quality appreciable.

Considering its bulk and heft, the Range Rover Velar even with the turbocharged inline-4 unit delivers a decent level of performance. However, with 60mph timings of 6.4 seconds, it ranks at the bottom of the table. But when equipped with the more powerful engine, the SUV becomes almost a second quicker, taking just 5.6 seconds in a similar feat. Additionally, even its top speed increases by 15 MPH to 145 MPH.

Looking at the pool of competitors here, the comparison in the segment seems to be tricky. Like the Velar shares its underpinnings with the Jaguar F-Pace, the Porsche Macan and Audi Q5 are also identical to one another. Both the German SUVs produce relatively higher power and torque outputs of 252hp and 273lb.-ft. They are also quicker in the 60-mph run, however, when it comes to the quarter-mile sprint, both the Porsche Macan and Jaguar F-Pace push through the mid-range and clock timings under the 14-second mark. Additionally, the Jaguar F-Pace also leads in terms of top speed and manages to record 145 MPH.

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Ride and Handling

Like is typical to all Land Rover’s, the Range Rover Velar seems to be built for the city and has undeniable off-roading capabilities. While its acceleration is not the best in the segment, Velar’s precise and accurate responses to inputs and a quick-shifting transmission unit add sharpness to the drive. Its refined and comfortable ride quality resonates with the traditional buyers in the segment and thanks to its soft suspension and aerodynamic build, the SUV is a delight to drive.

Though the Land Rover Velar has a hassle-free performance, it is not all a merry picture. The midsize SUV is limited by its restricted steering feedback. Even body roll is pretty evident and despite its prowess, some undulations do manage to turn into imperfections for the occupants. However, if we were to highlight the positives in the ride, the all-wheel-drivetrain and an effective braking system do improve the performance considerably.

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Braking Performance

The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar fails to match up to its competitors when braking is concerned. It comes to a halt at 122 ft when decelerating from the 60-mph mark. Velar’s inferior performance can be attributed to its smaller brake sizes and higher curb weight. It comes equipped with 12.8-inch rotors at the front and back and makes use of 4-wheel ABS and ventilated brakes to provide an additional bite to its performance.

In the segment, the Jaguar F-Pace is the best performer and comes to a halt at 102 ft, despite its smaller brake sizes. On the other hand, the Porsche Macan and Audi Q5 are marginally better than the Land Rover. They vaunt stopping distances of 120ft and 114 ft, respectively, but they do weigh considerably lesser than the Velar. However, Audi’s braking system does seem to be firmer than all of its competitors, nonetheless, it is confidence-inspiring.

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar is not the most frugal option in the segment and even with its base turbocharged inline-4 unit, it falls behind its competitors. It averages a mileage of 21 and 27 MPG in the city and on the highway, respectively, and combined, the SUV is rated at 23 miles per gallon. It gets the least voluminous tank of 16.6-gallons and consequently, it also falls short on the range and manages the least range of 382 miles.

Despite sharing similar underpinnings with the Land Rover Range Rover Velar, the Jaguar F-Pace is diminutively more efficient, and it averages a combined mileage of 24 MPG. On the other hand, the Audi Q5 is the most efficient option, while its corporate sibling, the Macan, is the least efficient. But the Porsche does come equipped with the largest fuel tank of 19.8-gallons and consequently, it manages the highest range in the segment of 396 and 495 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively.

As the latest introduction into the lineup, the 2018 Velar is rather modern in its build, and it borrows all of its design cues from the higher-placed Range Rover Sport. The interior is adorned with the best-in-class materials and you find synthetic/leather upholstery on the seats and metal and suede inserts on the doors and dashboard to add to the plush aura on the inside. As is typical to the brand, the Velar sports a dual-screen unit in the center, and features a rotary shift knob for its transmission unit. The cabin seems well-rounded and resonates with practicality with its cubby storage spaces and is also a tranquil space to be in, considering there is no noise that seeps into the cabin.

As for comfort, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar scores highly in this regard. Both rows of seats of the SUV are amply comfortable and the large opening doors for ingress and egress only add to the capacious feeling on the inside. The seats offer a commanding position and while the front seats offer multi-level adjustments, the rear seats might feel restricted for passengers over 6 ft tall. So, even though the Velar is capable enough to seat five passengers in comfort, we’d recommend taller occupants to be accommodated in the front seats.

In the segment, each SUV is capable to seat five passengers inside the cabin, but the amount of space and comfort that they bestow, differs significantly. While the Porsche Macan has the smallest cabin in comparison, the Jaguar F-Pace is limited by its inferior material quality and a jittery ride. In the truest sense, only the Audi Q5 comes close to the Velar. By being ergonomically sound and representing top-notch German craftsmanship, the Q5 proves to provide the most value for the price one pays for it.

Keeping in mind that all these SUVs are typical family haulers, cargo capacity stands to be a determining factor in the buying decision. Both the Jaguar and Land Rover have practical cargo space with easy loading/unloading access. However, the duo of the German SUVs do fall short in this aspect. And it is the Porsche Macan that lurks at the bottom of the table with a trunk volume of just 17.7 cubic feet.

Some of the standout interior features include:

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Interior Air Filtration
• Dual-zone Climate Control
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors
• Tilt and Telescopic steering wheel
• Front and rear door cupholders and pockets

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar?

The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar has two 10-inch touchscreen units that assume central importance in the setup. As is with other SUVs from the brand, the higher-placed display unit controls the infotainment system, while the lower screen is dedicated to climate control. The Velar makes use of the Touch Pro infotainment system, which is highly intuitive and slick in its response. Though it does miss out on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which does come as a surprise, the SUV sports Bluetooth and USB connectivity as standard and benefits from a well-tuned 8-speaker sound system. However, with the R-Dynamic trims, buyers get a 17-speaker Meridien sound system.

Some salient infotainment features include:

• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Satellite Radio
• Voice Recognition
• Navigation System
• 23-speaker Meridien sound system (available with the First Edition only)
• Wi-Fi Hotspot

The Velar’s design is a cohesive amalgamation of the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Evoque. While it borrows its sleekness from the former, its ability to gracefully contain its dimensions is borrowed from the latter. Yet, the Velar is easily distinguishable and has a distinct aura to its design. It looks undeniably imposing and its muscularity does attract abundant attention towards it. It bears the traditional Land Rover grille up front and even its headlights have a familiar design language.

However, at the rear end, the Range Rover Velar looks highly modern and is an all-new design, the almost-tapering roofline complements the long hood of the SUV and when paired with sleek taillights, Land Rover’s latest introduction into the market resonates with refinement. And to make the Velar match the standards of the brand, it is built to bestow maximum space on the inside. It sits on a wheelbase of 113 inches, which is the longest in the segment and is also one of the wider options available with a total width of 80 inches.

Despite sharing platforms, the F-Pace and Range Rover Velar differ in some aspects, especially their curb weights. While the Jaguar is the lightest option in the segment weighing just under 3,900 lbs, the Land Rover is almost 400 lbs heavier. On the other hand, the Audi and Porsche are relatively smaller in dimensions and are also lighter than the LR. While they are also suited to haul families, both the German SUVs have a youthful aura to their design and vaunt higher modernity in their design than any of their counterparts.

Some of the standout exterior features include:

• Tow hitch Receiver
• Roof Rails
• Rear Spoiler
• Sunroof
• Fog Lamps
• 19/21-inch alloy wheels

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar has not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. But even in the absence of the safety ratings, Velar proves to be a top-notch performer, credits to its extensive list of driver assistance and safety features, and also the brand’s knack for creating reliable vehicles. As standard, the SUV comes equipped with features like electronic stability control, side-impact beams, and rear child safety locks, moving to the higher-placed HSE trims adds a blind-spot monitor and adaptive cruise control functionality to the mix.

Some other salient safety specifications available with the 2018 Range Rover Velar include:

• Post-Collision Safety System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Self-leveling headlights
• Anti-theft alarm system
• Lane Departure Warning System

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2018 Audi Q5

In their base avatars, the Range Rover Velar and Audi Q5 are rather closely matched. They deliver a similar level of performance and have appreciable ride qualities to vaunt. However, that is where the similarities between the two seem to end. The Q5 is available with only a single engine option, which is highly efficient and has better braking capabilities. But for us, the Velar with its comfortable cabin, better rear-seat space, and larger cargo space, checks all the right boxes in terms of practicality. It is offered with a myriad of customization options and so, we see no reason to veto it in the comparison here.

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2018 Porsche Macan

Porsche’s entry-level SUV, the Macan, is all the hype in the segment. Its beautiful exterior design is where its oneness lies and like the Audi Q5, it is a potent performer and resonates with an opulent aura. However, even in comparison here, the Macan’s constricted rear seat and cargo space, causes it to fall behind its competitor. Additionally, it is not the best-equipped SUV on offer today, and with the exorbitant pricing of the optional features and packages, we feel it is best to stick with the Land Rover.

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2018 Jaguar F-Pace

Despite sharing similar underpinnings, the Range Rover Velar and Jaguar F-Pace are significantly distinct from each other. While they cannot be distinguished in terms of performance and efficiency, Jaguar leads in terms of braking performance. However, that is where its ascendancy starts to fade. The Range Rover Velar has a better and more spacious cabin at its disposal and sports an intuitive infotainment system. Additionally, its supple ride quality makes it the superior option out of the two.

In a largely populated segment, Land Rover’s latest inclusion, the Range Rover Velar infuses a new set of features and a higher level of performance in the market. While it upholds all the strengths of its competitors, Velar’s unabashed luxury and opulence puts it streets ahead of its competitors. Additionally, the SUV also offers three distinct powertrains to choose from, and thus, by providing an option for every buyer, the Velar has created a niche for itself in the market. Certainly, it is better than all of its rivals.