2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Review

　　

2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　Comfortable, off-road-capable and classically good-looking: These are attributes not commonly found in one vehicle. But that's exactly what you get with the Land Rover Range Rover Velar. Introduced in 2018, the Velar is the second smallest vehicle in the Range Rover line, slotting above the compact and stylish Evoque and below the larger, more luxurious Range Rover Sport. Just like the Evoque, the Velar adopts a sleek, fashion-forward exterior design, featuring a sloping roofline that lends it a wind-cheating silhouette.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar P250 S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$199/mo  for Range Rover Velar P250 S

　　Range Rover Velar P250 S

　　P250 S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $56,900 MSRPP250 R-Dynamic S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $58,900 MSRPP340 S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $63,900 MSRPP340 R-Dynamic S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $65,900 MSRPP400 R-Dynamic HSE 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $76,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　For 2021, Land Rover makes a number of significant improvements to the Velar. For starters, the old supercharged V6 has been replaced with a new turbocharged inline-six with a mild hybrid system that can help the car accelerate at low speeds and quickly restart the engine when stop-start is enabled. The Pivi Pro infotainment system is also new and is faster and more responsive than the system it replaces. Sadly, the SVAutobiography trim has been discontinued, and with it the potent supercharged V8 engine option.

　　The Velar's cabin is nearly as eye-catching as its exterior, featuring high-quality materials and a minimalist approach to its switchgear. Many of the controls are touch buttons that give the center stack a streamlined and tidy appearance. Front and center is the new Pivi Pro infotainment system running on two wide screens. The Velar's interior is a nice place to be, and it's made even more so when you opt for the available air suspension that grants the SUV a smoother ride.

　　The Velar competes with other small luxury SUVs, including the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, Porsche Macan, and its own platform-mate and corporate cousin, the Jaguar F-Pace. The Velar is pricier than most of its rivals, especially after you pile on the options. But if you're looking for a head-turning sport ute that's also sure-footed off the beaten path, few do it better than the second smallest Range Rover.

　　

Which Range Rover Velar does zzdcar recommend?

The base Velar S model already comes well equipped with a long list of standard features, and now that the optional six-cylinder engine has been upgraded to a new turbocharged mild hybrid inline-six it's an even better buy. Adding the bigger engine to the base trim is pricey, but the straight-six's smooth, effortless power delivery is well worth it.

　　

2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar models

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is available in three trim levels: S, R-Dynamic S and R-Dynamic HSE. The S and R-Dynamic S can be had with your choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four (247 horsepower, 269 lb-ft of torque) or a 3.0-liter turbocharged mild hybrid inline-six (335 horsepower, 354 lb-ft). The R-Dynamic HSE is available exclusively with the inline-six engine, which gets boosted to 395 horsepower and 405 lb-ft. All come paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Feature highlights include:

　　S

　　The base Velar starts you off with a long list of useful features:

　　19-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Panoramic roof Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors Power tailgate Automatic windshield wipers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Power-adjustable steering column 14-way adjustable heated front seats with driver's seat memory settings Leather upholstery Dual-zone automatic climate control Hands-free keyless entry Push-button start 360-degree camera 11-speaker Meridian premium audio systemAll Velars come with a suite of active safety features, including:

　　Front and rear parking sensors Automatic high beams Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Automatic high beamsR-Dynamic S

　　Builds on the Velar S equipment list with more luxury features:

　　19-inch alloy wheels finished in satin gray R-Dynamic bumpers and badging Leather and synthetic suede upholstery Black headliner Satin chrome shift paddles Dark aluminum interior trim Metal doorsill plates with R-Dynamic logoR-Dynamic HSE

　　The R-Dynamic HSE doubles down with more luxury and performance:

　　Standard air suspension Six-cylinder mild hybrid powertrain 21-inch alloy wheels finished in satin dark gray Heated and ventilated front seats with massage function Perforated leather upholstery Digital instrument cluster 17-speaker Meridian premium audio system Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Velar and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)The Velar also can be equipped with these packages and options:

　　Dynamic Handling package Air suspension Off-road driving modes Convenience package Gesture-controlled power liftgate Cargo net Wrist strap key fob Cold Climate package Heated windshield Headlight washer system Head-up display Wi-Fi modem with data plan

　　

2021 Range Rover Velar Highlights

Trim: P250 SP250 R-Dynamic SP340 SP340 R-Dynamic SP400 R-Dynamic HSEP250 S

　　

Base MSRP	$56,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$199/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	34.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles