RE: Range Rover Velar: Review

RE: Range Rover Velar: Review

Monday 24th July 2017

Range Rover Velar: Review

As groundbreaking as that original Velar proved to be, or a cynical attempt to get more people into SUVs?



You'll likely have read about the Range Rover Velar already; it's been hard not to given the amount of British press coverage. So you may already know what you need to - rendering this review obsolete - but, just in case you don't, we'd still like to contribute something to the simmering stew of stories. If only because you're likely to be seeing a great deal more of this car.

Land Rover describes the Velar as occupying the 'white space' between the Range Rover Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. The Land Rover Discovery, you say? Clearly that doesn't count. Probably too practical. So while there may be a gap between the Evoque and Sport, the unspoken message still seems clear: the buying public cannot get enough SUVs, and Land Rover is going to provide as many as possible.

Fancy new dash really works. No, it does
Fancy new dash really works. No, it does
Therefore, on top of the seven trim levels, buyers can choose between a four-cylinder petrol, two four-cylinder diesels, a V6 diesel and two V6 petrol engines. Yes, there are 32 different Velar models to buy right now, plus the usual host of options. If you want a Velar (short of a V8, of course), then Range Rover probably has it available.

No business like showroom business.
Thing is, you can't imagine prospective buyers taking much convincing once they're in the dealership. Claims like 'compelling, stand-out design', 'powerful, taut surfaces' and 'stunning silhouette' should always be treated with a degree of cynicism, but the Velar really is quite an attractive car. There's a hint of Peugeot 3008 to the rear lights, yes, and it's hardly radically different from existing Range Rover products. But with a very short front overhang, long wheelbase and some nice details, there's no denying the Velar's presence. This look has worked very well for quite a while now - why mess with it?

The inside is even better. 'Touch Pro Duo' makes its debut in the Velar, consigning nearly all features previously operated by buttons to a pair of 10-inch touchscreens. And you know what? It appears to work really, really well. It's quick, intuitive and responds swiftly to touch gestures - it's just the kind of selling point to bring more people in. There's substance to back up the style basically, at least on this experience.

Once out of the showroom however, the Velar isn't initially all that impressive to be honest. Partly this will be due to Norway's fairly ordinary roads (with extraordinary views), but partly it will be spec dependent too.

Get the right wheels for the right Range Rover waft
Get the right wheels for the right Range Rover waft
The first model driven is an £85K, supercharged V6 First Edition and, well, let's say it's not the pick of the range. That 3.0-litre engine is fine, though neither particularly torquey or especially fast. With peak power coming at 6,500rpm you need to push it for performance, and perhaps even use the Dynamic mode, where the Velar doesn't feel especially comfortable, for the full effect.

That's both figurative and literal too, as the Velar Launch Edition doesn't really deliver on the "outstanding ride comfort and refinement' claim. Why? 22-inch wheels. It's just too agitated for a Range Rover, not quite harsh over bumps but not as isolated as you might want either. There's more compliance at speed, yes, though low-speed driving - such as you might do around town - becomes irksome.

Diesel dream
Fortunately the situation improves markedly with the diesel Velar. Its easily accessible torque suits the car's more relaxed gait better, as does the fitment of 21-inch wheels. The diesel feels to have more of that Jaguar Land Rover flow that has proved so appealing over the past few years, despite the heavier mass up front. Bumps are absorbed and smothered better than in the petrol, progress is more serene and the whole experience more enjoyable. The steering is nicely geared - the Range Rover Sport is probably still better though - the gearbox intelligent and the refinement fantastic.

It can deal with this, and plenty more besides
It can deal with this, and plenty more besides
For a car to cover great distance in, on any kind of road, a diesel Velar would surely be very nice indeed. Well, mostly. See if you're covering a large distance you're probably going to have a lot of stuff, perhaps even a couple of other people too if you're lucky. And a Velar simply isn't all that big. Those over six foot will struggle to sit behind front seat occupants of a similar height, which seems bizarre in a car so large. The boot is big at 632 litres (or 558 with a spare wheel), but why not give the humans a bit more space?

What might impress your slightly squashed passengers though is the Velar's off-road ability, because it really is very impressive if you dare risk your 21s (or 22s) away from tarmac. Terrain Response is standard - Terrain Response 2, with the 'auto' setting, is standard on Launch Editions and optional on all others - so the driver has very little to worry about. With All-Surface Progress Control as well, they only really have to steer. What's surprising are the inclines, declines and terrains that something so ostensibly road focused can deal with. Land Rover had of course recce'd the route, though at no point during some mildly arduous off-roading did the Velar even appear to be struggling.

Course it's good, but it's not perfect
Course it's good, but it's not perfect
Range extender
It's intended as a compliment to the rest of the Range Rover line-up that the Velar feels merely quite good rather than truly groundbreaking.

Cars like the Evoque and second generation Range Rover Sport genuinely felt like new and original takes on the SUV format. Whereas the Velar feels more like a combination of their existing - though very desirable - traits, rather than something really innovative and fresh. This makes it an accomplished and likeable vehicle, if seemingly less significant in the Range Rover story than that name suggested it might be. You'll see plenty of them, and it deserves to succeed, but the Velar doesn't immediately feel like the class leader it might have been.

 


RANGE ROVER VELAR D300 R-DYNAMIC HSE
Engine
: 2,993cc, twin-turbo V6 diesel
Transmission: 8-speed ZF automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 300@4,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 516@1,500-1,750rpm
0-62mph: 6.5sec
Top speed: 150mph
Weight: 1,959kg
MPG: 44.1 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 167g/km
Price: £70,530 (Velar S £57,670, SE £61,610, HSE £68,110, R-Dynamic S £60,090, R-Dynamic SE £64,030, R-Dynamic HSE £70,530 and First Edition £83,350)

RANGE ROVER VELAR P380 FIRST EDITION
Engine
: 2,995cc, twin-turbo V6 petrol
Transmission: 8-speed ZF automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 380@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@3,500-5,000rpm
0-62mph: 5.7sec
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,884kg
MPG: 37.7 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 214g/km
Price: £85,450 (HSE £70,210, R-Dynamic HSE £72,630 and First Edition £85,450)

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
Author
Discussion

edo

Original Poster:

16,699 posts

264 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Really struggling to see what question this is answering between the models already there.

richthebike

1,733 posts

136 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
I'm two years into Range Rover ownership. Fantastic product, when it isn't breaking down, let down even further by the worst dealership experience I have ever known.

Even if this won every road test in every magazine I'd not buy it, and I'd be first to tell people who ask my opinion to avoid the brand on the whole.

Looking to switch out of my FFRR asap and have asked the network to buy it back.

J4CKO

41,284 posts

199 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Not what I would normally buy, mainly as I cant afford it but what a belting looking thing that is, makes the competition look a bit dowdy, apart from maybe the Macan.


p1stonhead

25,489 posts

166 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
edo said:
Really struggling to see what question this is answering between the models already there.
Isnt it a bit like the mecan where as the RRS is like the cayenne?

Its very bloody niche though.

SFO

5,162 posts

182 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
stunning looking SUV

Stick Legs

4,825 posts

164 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
I struggle to see the point when the RRS & Evoque exist.

More troubling is the wholesale debasement of everything that made JLR special vehicles in the first place.

Range Rover, Discovery & Land Rover was a long time ago now but they are still trading on that image & heritage.

I can see the whole JLR project collapsing a'la Rover once the current product lines are swelling the classifieds and the 'specialness' has gone.

Shame.


RammyMP

6,729 posts

152 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
richthebike said:
I'm two years into Range Rover ownership. Fantastic product, when it isn't breaking down, let down even further by the worst dealership experience I have ever known.

Even if this won every road test in every magazine I'd not buy it, and I'd be first to tell people who ask my opinion to avoid the brand on the whole.

Looking to switch out of my FFRR asap and have asked the network to buy it back.
Snap. We've had a number of Discovery Sports when the Evoque has been in to get fixed and I get that they need an intermediate luxury model as the Disco Sport feels very cheap.

Unfortunately there is no way that LR will get any more money out of me until they build a reliable car and their dealers provide a service better then fking piss poor!

p1stonhead

25,489 posts

166 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Stick Legs said:
I struggle to see the point when the RRS & Evoque exist.

More troubling is the wholesale debasement of everything that made JLR special vehicles in the first place.

Range Rover, Discovery & Land Rover was a long time ago now but they are still trading on that image & heritage.

I can see the whole JLR project collapsing a'la Rover once the current product lines are swelling the classifieds and the 'specialness' has gone.

Shame.
+1 look how bloody similar all of these look!


numtumfutunch

4,704 posts

137 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all

Saw one on trade plates on the motorway last weekend

Having admired the pre release shots I was surprised at 2 things:

Approaching from the rear (fnarr) its actually fairly petite, much smalller than Id expected

Its also not a looker from this angle either, but when I overtook it the side and front profiles are lovely


Cheers!

JohnoVR6

690 posts

211 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Lovely interior, awful exterior.

It reminds me of a roof-chopped hot rod. And not in a good way.

Stick Legs

4,825 posts

164 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
numtumfutunch said:
Approaching from the rear...
Its also not a looker from this angle...
But try this with the new Discovery and not lose your lunch!

vomit

Ares

11,000 posts

119 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
edo said:
Really struggling to see what question this is answering between the models already there.
When you see it in the flesh, it makes a lot of sense.

The medium SUV market is the fastest growing segment. F-Pace, Macan, Q5, X3, whatever the Mere is called... This fits and potentially trumps them in prestige and style (and true 'off-road' performance).


Ares

11,000 posts

119 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Stick Legs said:
I struggle to see the point when the RRS & Evoque exist.

More troubling is the wholesale debasement of everything that made JLR special vehicles in the first place.

Range Rover, Discovery & Land Rover was a long time ago now but they are still trading on that image & heritage.

I can see the whole JLR project collapsing a'la Rover once the current product lines are swelling the classifieds and the 'specialness' has gone.

Shame.
Evoque is small. As my dad calls them, a girls 4x4.

RRS and FFRR are big and proper full size SUVs (in the UK).

This is a good fit between the two.

edo

Original Poster:

16,699 posts

264 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
richthebike said:
I'm two years into Range Rover ownership. Fantastic product, when it isn't breaking down, let down even further by the worst dealership experience I have ever known.

Even if this won every road test in every magazine I'd not buy it, and I'd be first to tell people who ask my opinion to avoid the brand on the whole.

Looking to switch out of my FFRR asap and have asked the network to buy it back.
This seems only too common with JLR products, and the reason I wont even consider them at the moment. You only need look at the JD surveys too.

Ares

11,000 posts

119 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
RammyMP said:
richthebike said:
I'm two years into Range Rover ownership. Fantastic product, when it isn't breaking down, let down even further by the worst dealership experience I have ever known.

Even if this won every road test in every magazine I'd not buy it, and I'd be first to tell people who ask my opinion to avoid the brand on the whole.

Looking to switch out of my FFRR asap and have asked the network to buy it back.
Snap. We've had a number of Discovery Sports when the Evoque has been in to get fixed and I get that they need an intermediate luxury model as the Disco Sport feels very cheap.

Unfortunately there is no way that LR will get any more money out of me until they build a reliable car and their dealers provide a service better then fking piss poor!
This is the posh version of the Disco Sport.

Ares

11,000 posts

119 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
p1stonhead said:
+1 look how bloody similar all of these look!

Brand following similar design cue shocker?


No-one else does that. Except BMW, Audi, Merc, Lexus, Porsche, Jaguar,.....

p1stonhead

25,489 posts

166 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Ares said:
p1stonhead said:
+1 look how bloody similar all of these look!

Brand following similar design cue shocker?


No-one else does that. Except BMW, Audi, Merc, Lexus, Porsche, Jaguar,.....
How many companies have 6 very similar looking SUV's (or any single type of vehicle) and nothing else?

Ares

11,000 posts

119 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
JohnoVR6 said:
Lovely interior, awful exterior.

It reminds me of a roof-chopped hot rod. And not in a good way.
In the flesh it's stunning. Best looking SUV by a mile.

Stick Legs

4,825 posts

164 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Ares said:
Evoque is small. As my dad calls them, a girls 4x4.

RRS and FFRR are big and proper full size SUVs (in the UK).

This is a good fit between the two.
1) It's fking hideous.
2) They make a Discovery & a Discovery Sport which are 'a good fit between the two'.
3) As it's now obviously school holiday's you can tell your Dad that he's right. And add that this is a bell end's 4x4.

smile

richthebike

1,733 posts

136 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
RammyMP said:
richthebike said:
I'm two years into Range Rover ownership. Fantastic product, when it isn't breaking down, let down even further by the worst dealership experience I have ever known.

Even if this won every road test in every magazine I'd not buy it, and I'd be first to tell people who ask my opinion to avoid the brand on the whole.

Looking to switch out of my FFRR asap and have asked the network to buy it back.
Snap. We've had a number of Discovery Sports when the Evoque has been in to get fixed and I get that they need an intermediate luxury model as the Disco Sport feels very cheap.

Unfortunately there is no way that LR will get any more money out of me until they build a reliable car and their dealers provide a service better then fking piss poor!
Good to hear it's not just me on the wrong end of their woeful service (sorry to wish it on you, but hopefully you know what I mean).

The FFRR is a brilliant, brilliant product, when it works. But when it doesn't you're in the hands of their service division / warranty department and it is unbearable.

I won't write the details here because we're in a bit of a dispute, but I cannot emphasise enough how much I'd advise everyone in the PH community not to get drawn in by the lovely product, and think very carefully about whether you can live with the associated frustrations.