Range Rover Velar S
19" Style 5108 wheels
14-way driver memory front seats
Grained leather seat facings
Heated steering wheel
Range Rover’s rich line-up has expanded to include the Velar, the newest model to wear the legendary Range Rover branding. Slotting between the Evoque and Sport, it brings a more stylish, rakish design than those two cars and fits right between them when it comes to price as well. Yet still offering plenty of quality and technology, as well as Land Rover’s legendary off-roading pedigree, the Velar has plenty to bring to the SUV table.
The Velar’s name comes from the very first Range Rover prototypes, which were derived from the Latin ‘velare’ meaning to veil or cover, as development engineers needed to hide the Range Rover’s true identity.
The Range Rover Velar is available as a plug-in hybrid, which brings a certified all-electric range of up to 40 miles.
The latest Range Rover Velar features a large floating curved glass touchscreen to access a broad range of functions.
19" Style 5108 wheels
14-way driver memory front seats
Grained leather seat facings
Heated steering wheel
20" Style 1089, 10 spoke wheels
14-way driver memory front seats
Grained leather seat facings
Dynamic Exterior Pack
21" Style 5109, Satin Dark Grey wheels
Windsor leather seats
Dynamic Exterior Pack
Sliding panoramic roof
22" Style 1075, 10 spoke wheels
20-way massage front seats
Extended Windsor leather seats
Dynamic Exterior Pack
19" Style 5108 wheels
14-way driver memory seats
Grained leather seat facings
Wireless device charging
Design is centric to Range Rovers, and is a key part of what makes our luxury SUVs as appealing as they are. You might wonder if there’s room for a model between the Range Rover Evoque and Sport, but the Velar has proven there most certainly is a place.
Its sleeker shape makes it a key competitor in the growing coupe-SUV segment, and it’s arguably the most stylish model to possess the Range Rover badge. There are a range of versions available, with the flagship Autobiography model bringing exquisite rose gold detailing and large alloy wheels.
Arguably the most stylish Range Rover around, the Velar features an eye-catching coupe-like shape, enhanced further by its ‘floating roof’ that gives the appearance of a very low roofline. A sharp waistline running down the sides of the Velar gives it a sleek look as well, as do the flush door handles that pop out when required, but otherwise sit nearly into the sides of the car.
The latest Velar only builds on the sharp design, with Range Rover fitting a new grille with an updated pattern. There are super-slim LED headlights fitted as well, which can come with Pixel technology that enhances vision for you as a driver, while avoiding dazzling other road users.
The previous Range Rover Velar featured a dual touchscreen setup, but the latest model instead uses a new curved 11.4-inch display running Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment. The placement of the screen gives it the appearance that it’s floating, and it gives the interior a very modern feel. Controls for the climate, seating and audio are always visible on new sidebars that provide instant shortcuts to key functions. The scream supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto too.
Other technology highlights include the fact the touchscreen features the pinpoint-accurate what3words navigation integration. The Velar also packs Active Road Noise Cancellation technology, which is where when external sound frequencies are sensed, anti-noise is played through the vehicle’s audio system, helping to reduce road noise and makes the Velar one of the quietest cars in its class.
A great range of engines are available on the Range Rover Velar – petrol, diesel and a plug-in hybrid that we’ll come onto in a separate section. All models feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel-drive too.
Kickstarting with diesel units, there is the choice of the D200 and D300 – a 201bhp 2.0-litre and a 296bhp 3.0-litre. If you’d prefer petrol, the options consist of the 247bhp 2.0-litre P250, as well as the 395bhp 3.0-litre P400.
Choose the P400 for its performance, as 0-60mph is possible in just 5.2 seconds, while where fuel economy is concerned, outside of the plug-in hybrids, the D200 makes the most sense, with JLR claiming 43.7mpg and 170g/km CO2 emissions.
You can also choose a plug-in hybrid version of the Range Rover Velar, known as the P400e. Pairing a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, the combined power output is 399bhp – the most of any Velar available today. It remains four-wheel-drive.
The latest P400e model also uses a larger 19.2kWh battery, offering a 21 per cent range improvement, and allows for a 40-mile electric range. The Velar, like all JLR plug-in hybrids, can also be rapid charged, with the possibility of charging it up in just 30 minutes.
This is not only the most efficient on paper, but the quickest. Up to 167.9mpg is claimed, along with 39g/km CO2 emissions. If you’re in a hurry, 0-60mph takes just 5.1 seconds as well.