Range Rover Velar a worthy contender against premium Euro SUVs
We like
Good looker, superlative engine performance, supple adaptive suspension, AWD security, minimal driver assist intrusion, high level of luxury, roomy interior, chunky quality feel
Room for improvement
Idle-stop defaults to on, too many costly options, ignition button inconveniently positioned, bothersome left-hand blinkers
Overview
NESTLING between the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport is the handsome Velar range of large luxury SUVs.
Six variants are available using a variety of engines in 2.0-litre petrol turbo, mild hybrid 3.0-litre straight sixes (in turbo petrol and turbo diesel form) and a PHEV that uses a petrol 2.0-litre turbo with plug-in electric assistance.
All Ingenium engines are designed in-house at Land Rover and all have eight-speed automatic transmissions and high range all-wheel drive.
The test vehicle is a Velar HSE P400, one down from the top of the range Autobiography model, that sells from $142,000 plus on roads with the test vehicle’s options adding $14,000 to the bottom line. The only options of any interest to us were the configurable dynamics at $940 and Terrain Response 2 with dynamic program at $430.
The Velar P400 HSE is in against a bunch of Euro luxury SUVs including Audi’s Q7 Quattro 3.0 55 TFSi from $129,500, the BMW X5 3.0 X-Drive 45e from $139,900 and the Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 P400 HSE from $116,800. Not forgetting Land Rover Defender 130 P400 HSE from $131,650, all plus on road costs.
The Velar P400 HSE uses a 48-volt mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) powertrain with a Belt integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) in the engine bay that functions as a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) to harvest energy usually lost under deceleration/braking which is then stored in a lithium-ion battery located beneath the rear luggage floor.
Stored energy is available to assist the engine when accelerating, to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and to smooth operation of the idle-stop system.
Other advanced technology includes the use of an electric supercharger and a twin scroll turbocharger as well as continuously variable valve timing and lift.
To say there’s a lot going on in the engine’s cylinder head is an understatement.
Total output from the high-tech straight six engine is 294kW of power and 550Nm of torque that facilitates a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.5 seconds with combined fuel consumption at a claimed 8.7 litres per100km (on premium 98RON unleaded petrol).
Giving characteristic Range Rover comfort the test model featured Adaptive Dynamics with air suspension that ushers in a raft of specific systems and wheel choices.
Though not a hard core, rock hopping ‘fourbie’ by any stretch, the Velar P400 HSE can acquit itself capably off road despite having only high range 4WD.
Like Jeep, Range Rover builds its cars to fulfil a certain tested level of off-road capability and the Velar fills the bill through the use of various electronic torque vectoring, braking and drive modulation systems.
Range Rover says the Velar features a reductive (simple) design inside and outside and we would agree with that though the sleek, tapering exterior form is seriously attention grabbing.
Inside features stylishly integrated digital screens operating through Land Rover’s impressive Pivi Pro infotainment system.
Range Rover says Pivi Pro is designed around ease of use, with a simple interface reducing the number of interactions to enhance safety. It enables over-the-air connectivity potentially reducing the need to visit a dealer. Velar’s embedded data connection provides access to the most up-to-date apps, maps, services and vehicle software.
Instead of all leather upholstery, the Velar P400 HSE has attractive swatches of fabric on some touch points along with soft leather, suede, faux carbon and aluminium fascia and cladding.
Enhancing the occupant’s in-car experience is the Velar’s Active Road Noise Cancellation technology along with Cabin Air Purification Plus that optimises interior air quality.
Range Rover has expanded Velar’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that gains a Rear Camera as standard and Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist.
In terms of features, the Velar P400 HSE does well with voice control, keyless entry, paddle shift, heated exterior mirrors, acoustic laminated glass, auto wipers and headlights, electrically operated tail gate, flush, deployable exterior door handles, approach lights, driver’s seat memory function, trailer stability system, follow me home lights, a 750-watt Meridian audio system with 16 speakers and a sub-woofer, perimeter alarm, metal pedals, ambient light choices, dual-zone climate control, a load cover and a leather clad multi-function wheel.
USB-A and -C power sockets are provided in the front and rear seat rows with a 12-volt outlet in the rear.
A full suite of advanced driver assist safety features is fitted to the Velar including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, driver attention alert, lane keeping assist, blind spot assist, rear collision monitor, front and rear park assist, rear traffic monitor, traffic sign recognition and more.
Driving Impressions
There’s plenty of wow factor in the Velar P400 HSE; and not only in the looks department.
But the test car’s optional 22-inch black alloys set the tone followed by its striking silver duco and black roof. When you get behind the wheel and plant your right foot there’s even more ‘wow’ as the Velar P400 HSE is some kind of performance SUV despite weighing over two tonnes.
The high-tech 3.0-litre engine delivers impressive acceleration from idle through to redline at nearly 7000rpm never buttoning off along the way.
Being double boosted with a supercharger and a turbocharger no doubt helps throttle response, but so would the electric assistance provided by the vehicle’s belt driven electric starter generator.
And there’s a pleasing straight six wail from under the bonnet and out the back when you give it plenty of ‘welly’ which elicits pronounced squat in the rear and a big lift in the front just like a real muscle car.
Then, attain your cruising speed, button off and all’s quiet with barely a whisper from anywhere on the vehicle including from those huge tyres.
So, the engine is a strong point of Velar and it’s mated to an accurately geared conventional eight-speed auto that goes about its business imperceptibly, seamlessly. Having multiple drive modes readily at hand makes sporty driving easily accessible.
Ride quality is likewise governed by the drive mode selected with critical functions calibrated to suit certain drive modes. Sport is firm, with sharp responses through to Comfort which is the antithesis.
Though hardly a sports model, the Velar P400 HSE is a handy tool in the curves exhibiting a surprisingly flat attitude cornering fast and with exemplary braking from the 380mm front and 325mm discs. The adaptive air suspension delivers exceptionally well controlled ride characteristics.
On our favourite winding road, the Velar is quick, stable and predictable especially when you invoke the paddle shift and use Sport mode.
Driving normally is similarly engaging as the Velar seems equally at home in the ‘burbs and around town as it is on the run down to the snow or on the motorway.
With its sumptuous interior, sophisticated infotainment, premium audio and luxury kit to ease you on your way, the Velar makes light work of long drives.
Parking is a cinch thanks to the front and rear park assist and new rear camera and the five-seater vehicle itself isn’t as big as you think it is.
In mixed driving we achieved near to Range Rover’s fuel consumption claim at 8.8 litres per 100km.
We took it slightly off road carefully placing the Velar so as not to scratch it. With Terrain Response and the right off-road mode selected, the Velar floats over rutted gravel roads smoothly and is comfy and capable. It easily fords deepish crossings and can traverse quite rough, rocky sections without complaint. But we didn’t push it.
The luxury SUV tows a reasonable 2500kg braked.
The Range Rover Velar P400 HSE driven delivers driver engagement, luxury features and safety in a package to rival any premium European competitor.
Keyword: 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Velar HSE P400 Review