Sitting in the middle of Land Rover’s luxury SUV line-up, the Range Rover Velar may suffer a little from the middle child syndrome. But, there’s so much to like about this stylish and practical luxury proposition. So where does it go wrong?
2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250
When you think Range Rover, Velar probably isn’t the first nameplate that springs to mind. If anything, it’s a bit like the often overlooked middle child.
It shouldn’t be, though, because I see the Velar as the best of both worlds – similar muscular traits to a Range Rover Sport with a cheaper price tag, but with more room than a Range Rover Evoque.
The MY23 Velar line-up added a plug-in hybrid along wth the Edition D300, while the SE D200 was axed. The update also brought minimal newly standard additions to the range.
How much does the Range Rover Velar cost in Australia?
The Velar that I got the keys to for six weeks was the 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250. The badge is quite a mouthful, so let me break it down for you. The P250 describes the engine power, the R-Dynamic the styling, and the SE represents the trim level.
There are six model grades to choose from, with a choice of diesel, petrol and now a plug-in hybrid. Our car sits second in the line-up, but by no means does it feel like a lower-grade vehicle. The price kicks off at $98,900 plus on-road costs. While the new model year brought price increases across the range, this variant had the smallest increase (up $2217).
This test vehicle is packed with an abundance of options: electronic air suspension, adaptive dynamics, 21-inch diamond-turned with satin dark grey contrast wheels, sliding panoramic roof, privacy glass, power socket pack, premium cabin lighting, premium carpet mats, black contrast roof, Argento pinstripe veneer, configurable dynamics, and 14-way heated, driver memory front seats.
With all of these options, the total cost of our model is $134,985 drive-away.
This vehicle compares to the well-established BMW X3, with the 2.0 xDrive30i starting at $91,900, along with the Genesis GV70, which you can get at a steal with the top-tier turbo V6 model kicking off at $84,600. Both prices exclude on-roads.
In the way of standard features you get matrix LED headlights, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation, reversing camera and digital radio, power tailgate, perforated grained leather (or grained leather and suede) upholstery, 12-speaker Meridian sound system, keyless entry and start, and rain-sensing wipers, to name a few.
Driving around in this swanky car, I snagged plenty of head turns. It’s muscular yet chic, with a hit-you-in-the-face front grille. The black contrast roof, along with the copper-coloured body accents, give this car that extra pop. And the good looks continue once you step inside, which I’ll chat about shortly.
Something I used often throughout my loan period was the Land Rover app. A very handy tool, these applications are becoming increasingly widespread with car brands. I mainly used mine to document range and fuel, and it also worked wonders on chilly Melbourne nights, whereby I could set the temperature of the car and it would be warm by the time I entered. A godsend.
| Key details | 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 |
| Price | $98,900 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Ostuni Pearl White |
| Options | Sliding panoramic roof – $4420 Electronic air suspension – $2110 21-inch alloy wheels – $2080 Santorini Black contrasting roof – $1420 Configurable dynamics – $940 14-way heated and driver memory front seats – $810 Premium cabin lighting – $540 Argento Pinstripe veneer – $220 Premium carpet mats – $640 Power socket two-pack – $290 Privacy glass – $890 Adaptive dynamics – $2410 |
| Price as tested drive-away | $134,985 |
| Rivals | BMW X3 | Genesis GV70 | Mercedes-Benz GLC |
How much space does the Range Rover Velar have inside?
This interior is quintessential Land Rover in that it feels premium and looks the part. Step inside and you’re greeted by the waft of fresh leather, premium soft materials, and that uber chic badged steering wheel.
If any brand knows how to do simple yet sophisticated well, it’s this bunch. It’s the little characteristics that make this cabin pop, such as the detailing on the dash, the white stitching throughout, and the shiny black and silver accents.
Storage up front is generous with a large open compartment, fit for a small handbag, a decent-sized centre storage cubby, door bins and two cupholders. There’s a spot to fit your phone in the storage compartment, but don’t be fooled as it’s not a wireless charge pad.
Unfortunately, this vehicle isn’t equipped with wireless charging; in fact, it’s not even in the options list, which I find odd as if you check the website you can get a smoker’s pack, but not an everyday necessity. Sigh.
And there’s more bad news. The rear room for an adult of my stature seemed pretty reasonable. However, I had a full vehicle on occasions and a lot of those occupants were tall. They did complain constantly about the leg room, or lack thereof. A tall passenger up front ahead of a tall passenger in the rear left my travel associates to battle it out for the balance of leg room.
Also, there’s an excessively big transmission tunnel, which really hampers the comfort and room for the person that gets stuck in the middle of the second row.
But there is enough room for smaller adults, and for families there are two ISOFIX mounting points on the outboard seats.
Rear passengers have access to air vents, but not their own climate controls. There are also two USB-C ports, a 12V outlet, along with a fold-down armrest with cupholders.
The boot is large measuring in at 748L with the rear seats upright. With the rear seats folded, you get 1811L configurable in a 40:20:40 split. It’s worth pointing out that Land Rover uses what’s known as a ‘wet measurement’ for boot space whereas most competitors use a different standard of measurement, boosting the Velar’s figures compared to other brands.
You’ll need to pay an additional $1790 for the Convenience Pack if you’re wanting the kick sensor to open the tailgate hands-free. This pack also gets you the activity key and rear seat remote levers. As you can expect from a premium brand, this vehicle isn’t equipped with a full-sized spare, but comes equipped with a space-saver spare tyre instead.
| 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 748L seats up 1811L seats folded |
| Length | 4797mm |
| Width | 2041mm |
| Height | 1683mm |
| Wheelbase | 2874mm |
Does the Range Rover Velar have Apple CarPlay?
The Range Rover Velar scores an 11.4-inch touchscreen running Jaguar Land Rover’s Pivi Pro system equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and digital radio. This system is one of the best in class. It’s intuitive, has sharp graphics, and is easy to navigate through on the move.
And a little treat, the screen can tilt to ensure you get the desired angle. Below is an additional screen that is the crown jewel of the system, offering easy access to climate control, drive modes, and your air suspension. It’s a simple go-to when on the move and makes the entire system effortless.
Not forgetting you also have the choice of the steering wheel controls, which I have to say are a little more complex than some others.
Bluetooth connection and Apple CarPlay both worked seamlessly for me and connected without fault. In fact, quite a few people commented on how clear our phone line was and that the vehicle sounded silent.
The digital driver’s display can be configured depending on what you want on the screen. This means you can choose from two dials with information in between or opt for a full-screen map, which was my preferred choice.
Is the Range Rover Velar a safe car?
The Range Rover Velar boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating. However, it hasn’t been assessed since 2017. It’s worth noting that the requirements have become more stringent since the Velar was originally rated, and that ANCAP places an expiry date on ratings after six years, which means the five-star rating will end in 2023 unless Land Rover re-tests the Velar to current criteria.
In the report, the Velar scored highly for adult occupant protection (93 per cent) and child occupant protection (85 per cent), but safety assist systems and vulnerable road user (pedestrian protection) returned lower assessment scores at 72 per cent and 74 per cent respectively.
| 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2017) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Range Rover Velar have?
The Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 gets autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition with speed limiter, front and rear parking sensors, rear traffic monitor, tyre pressure monitoring and hill descent control.
Normally, a 360-degree camera and automatic parking can be added by purchasing the Park Assist Pack. Otherwise, the 360-degree camera can be optioned on its own for $1650. At the time of writing, supply issues and component shortages mean the 360-degree camera is not currently available on the Velar.
So, if you are wanting this vehicle, then you’ll need to decide if you can go without, as when I spoke to Land Rover they didn’t have any updates communicated to them as to when this option will become available again.
How much does the Range Rover Velar cost to maintain?
All Land Rovers are supported by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which includes five years of roadside assistance. Jaguar Land Rover offers a service plan over the five years and the amount may surprise you.
For this 2.0-litre petrol variant across five years at 102,000 maximum kilometres, you’ll pay $1950. That works out to $390 a year, which for a premium vehicle is very reasonable.
A comprehensive car insurance quote totals $1987 per annum based on a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | Condition based |
| Servicing costs | $1950 (5 years) |
Is the Range Rover Velar fuel-efficient?
Land Rover claims 7.8L/100km on a combined cycle, and the Velar uses a minimum of 95-octane premium unleaded.
I drove in various different conditions and in different drive modes throughout the course of my loan. The average return reading after the six weeks was 10.0L/100km.
As expected, this number had a tendency to climb rapidly when solely in an urban environment, with my urban reading generally in the 12s (claimed urban 9.5L/100km).
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.8L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 10.0L/100km |
| Fuel type | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 82L |
What is the Range Rover Velar like to drive?
Under the bonnet this car packs a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
For me, the ride height and seating position in this car were the ultimate. It looks rather chunky and big, but when you’re behind the wheel, I can assure you I didn’t feel as though I was driving around in a bulky SUV.
With the amount of longer trips I did during this loan, I was extremely grateful to be cruising around in a rather bougie SUV, but more importantly, I was thrilled to be in a comfortable car. The seats, the environment, the technology, everything in the cabin made this car an effortless and sublime drive.
In the way of performance, it’s got some go off the line, but is certainly not bursting at the seams with power. It lets off quite a nice-sounding exhaust note, though – nothing that will get the heart racing, but it has its rumbly moments.
If you want something with more grunt, then you can take the step up to the P400 with a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbo petrol giving you more power and torque.
The steering in the Velar is just light enough, incredibly accurate, and agile when tackling tighter twists and turns. Another impressive trait of the Velar is that the car never felt flustered, conquering speed humps and back roads without a hitch, and with a nice ambience through the cabin.
In fact, the only time it really got loud is when I took full advantage of the impeccable stereo system. This Velar felt more relaxed at higher speeds, especially when cruising on a highway. In the lower rev range, at times, it felt a little unsettled.
In the way of safety, adaptive cruise control worked well, while features such as lane-keep assist help you without any annoyance. Some lane-keep systems can be very overpowering, but this generates gentle vibrations as a friendly reminder to keep you in the centre of the lane.
I also rated the speed camera alert, which gives you a beep followed by a voice alert, and the location displays on the infotainment system.
In the way of driving modes there are Eco, Comfort and Dynamic along with off-road driving modes. This is something I feel I need to flag. If you buy this car, it’s completely your decision, but perhaps think about a different set of tyres if you’re going off the beaten track.
I say this because as one of my missions with this car, and as asked by our Drive readers, I said I’d test out these modes by undertaking some light-duty off-roading – which I attempted.
We made tracks to a state forest with the intention of hitting some gravel trails to assess the Velar’s all-wheel-drive system, but did not make it all too far. In fact, it wasn’t too long before the Velar’s road-biased tyres succumbed to a puncture.
For the sections before getting a puncture, the Velar’s traction and driveline felt capable of tackling the challenge. But sadly we were unable to put the Velar to a more thorough test.
Finally, in the way of visibility, front and side are exceptional but the rear is average. This is the perfect case of form over function as the sophisticated design compromises its practicality.
| Key details | 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 |
| Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Power | 184kW @ 5000rpm |
| Torque | 365Nm @ 1300–4500rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power to weight ratio | 94kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 1950kg |
| Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
| Tow rating | 2400kg braked 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.94m |
Should I buy a Range Rover Velar?
This stylish SUV boasts a long list of great attributes, but is by no means perfect. While the Velar is practical with high-quality features to boot, this particular specification lacks in performance, is thirsty, lacks rear space, and misses out on some features that you may expect if you’re paying this kind of money.
Speaking of which, it’s expensive, even before you get stuck into the options list, but it at least feels expensive. The cost of servicing is incredibly reasonable, and there’s no doubting that this vehicle is a chic, good-looking offering in a premium market that offers an abundance of choice.
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