2023 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

　　

2023 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Land Rover has a dual personality. On one hand, you have vehicles such as the Range Rover and Defender that rely heavily on their storied history. On the other, you have the Evoque, which is a more modern interpretation of the brand and caters to people looking to get into their first luxury SUV. The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Velar sits in the middle of that lineup, adopting the Evoque's sleek style and combining it with more space, power and capability.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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

　　$208/mo  for Range Rover Velar P250 S

　　Range Rover Velar P250 S

　　P250 S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $60,300 MSRPP250 R-Dynamic S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $62,400 MSRPP340 R-Dynamic S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $69,200 MSRPP400 HST 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $79,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　As a Land Rover, the Velar also comes with some impressive off-road abilities and all-wheel drive as standard equipment. Even if you're not planning on exploring the wilderness, the Velar should be an excellent luxury SUV for those in wet and snowy climates. This year, the Range Rover Velar returns largely the same. Last year's HSE trim has been renamed HST, with most of the same features.

　　On the inside, the Velar delivers the kind of experience expected of a premium luxury SUV. The quality of materials is excellent throughout the cabin, and the minimal and high-tech style leaves a lasting impression. This doesn't come cheap, though. The Velar is more expensive than many rivals in the class, including the Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3. These may be better alternatives for everyday use, but if you desire some off-road capabilities and are drawn to more modern styling, the Velar is the clear choice.

　　

Which Range Rover Velar does zzdcar recommend?

Go for the R-Dynamic S trim. It looks sportier than the base S and doesn't cost much more. It also gives you the option of getting the six-cylinder engine. We prefer the six-cylinder for its more robust power, but know that Land Rover says its availability will be limited in 2023. You might have to settle for the four-cylinder. Consider adding the Dynamic Handling package to add the more comfortable air suspension.

　　

Land Rover Range Rover Velar models

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a small luxury SUV that seats five people. It's available in three trim levels: S, R-Dynamic S and HST. The S and R-Dynamic S come standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine (referred to as the P250) that makes 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The R-Dynamic can also be optioned with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (P340) that generates 335 hp and 354 lb-ft. Finally, the HST trim comes exclusively with an upgraded version of that inline-six engine (P400) good for 395 hp and 405 lb-ft. All come paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Feature highlights for each trim include:

　　S

　　Starts off the Velar lineup with:

　　19-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Panoramic roof Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors Power-adjustable steering column Power-adjustable, heated front seats with driver's seat memory settings Leather upholstery Dual-zone automatic climate control Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration 11.4-inch center touchscreen Integrated navigation system 12-speaker Meridian premium audio systemAll Velars come with a suite of active safety features, including:

　　Front and rear parking sensors Automatic high beams Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Velar and the car in front) Lane keeping assistance (steers the Velar back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) 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)R-Dynamic S

　　Builds on the Velar S equipment with:

　　19-inch alloy wheels finished in satin gray Sportier-looking bumpers Special interior trim and badgingHST

　　The HST doubles down with more luxury and performance with:

　　Air suspension with adaptive dampers (adjusts the vehicle's ride height and balance between handling and ride comfort) 21-inch alloy wheels Synthetic suede interior trim Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Meridian premium surround-sound systemThe Velar also can be equipped with a variety of packages and stand-alone options. Highlights include:

　　Dynamic Handling package Air suspension with adaptive dampers Off-road driving modes Convenience package Gesture-controlled power liftgate Cargo net Wrist strap key fob Cold Climate package Heated windshield Headlight washer system 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Velar and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Adaptive cruise control with lane keeping (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Upgraded front seats combined with heated, power-reclining rear seats

　　zzdcar Latest Land Rover Range Rover Velar News

　　We Join Land Rover at Destination Defender 2023

　　2024 Range Rover Evoque and Velar Review: Small Changes Only Yield Small Improvements

　　Range Rover Carmel Edition Is Limited to Seven, Costs $370,000

　　New SV Model Is the Most Powerful Range Rover Sport Ever