Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE D300 2018 Review

Name: Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE D300 2018 Review
Brand: Land Rover

Where pomp and prestige is concerned, the 2018 Range Rover Velar is king!

Model Tested

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE D300

Review Type

Long-Term Test

Review Location

Introduction

Filling a seemingly non-existent gap, the five-seat 2018 Range Rover Velar neatly positions itself between the compact Evoque and larger Range Rover Sport in a pedigree stable that teases both the cashed-up and aspirational SUV buyers like few others can do. Priced from $71,550 (plus ORCs) and stretching to more than double that for the range topper, the 2018 Range Rover Velar isn’t for everyone. Sad but true. For the next few months, however, it takes residence in the long-term garage at motoring.com.au

Pitch Perfect

Launched in 2017 the Range Rover Velar quickly claimed it’s position as the new darling of the Range Rover family. It’s fair to say the 2018 Range Rover Velar is right up my alley with equal parts prestige, pomp and performance pleasing my discerning eye. But as a professional motoring journalist, (apparently) I need to take this assessment beyond the benefits of neighbourly one-upmanship and school yard bragging rights.

There’s no denying however, the Velar’s sleek proportions turn heads like few other SUVs can lay claim to. A trip to Portsea on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula confirmed this. In the affluent seaside village where Range Rovers are outnumbered only by Lulu Lemon leggings, this active-wear-friendly motoring journalist fit right in.

Cutting a unique shape in the sea of SUVs in Australia is no mean feat. The Land Rover Range Rover Velar does it beautifully and mighty convincingly. My guess is that most buyers will choose the Velar based on looks alone. The fact is has credentials well beyond its beautiful physique are simply a bonus.

With the choice of three diesel engines, six petrol, four equipment levels and three design packages you’re looking at up to 50 Velar variants to choose from. Priced from $71,550 (plus ORCs) for the entry level Range Rover Velar D180, we’re sampling the diesel-powered R-Dynamic HSE D300 with all the bells and whistles.

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Options Abound

Like many of its potential buyers, our Velar R-Dynamic HSE D300 has undergone considerable cosmetic tweaking – to the value of $35,850 in the case of our long-termer. The vehicle on test was actually built and customised by Road Test Editor, Matt Brogan.

The Velar’s customization is limited by your imagination only and it’s a lengthy and costly list that makes this Range Rover Velar look and feel quite unique. Here are a few of the headline treats: Meridian Signature 23-speaker Sound System, $5640; sliding panoramic roof, $4370; R-Dynamic Black Pack, $2180; Byron Blue metallic paint, $1780; Illuminated metal load space scuffplate, $640; illuminated metal front branded treadplates, $640 and black roof rails, $940 – just to name a few.

Behind the wheel

You’re immediately presented with the cabin hero, dual 10-inch touch screens that, I have to admit, took some time to master. The upper screen handles infotainment, phone connectivity and navigation while the lower is where you handle climate control and drive modes.

Technology is laid on thick, in the form of infotainment and driver assist systems including blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control, lanekeep assist, park assist, rear traffic monitor and so on. Assist overload. But why no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? We’ll cover this in detail in later updates…

Our long-term test Velar R-Dynamic HSE D300 has undergone considerable cosmetic tweaking

Power from the V6 is always on – it’s smooth, responsive and stops as well as it goes. The Velar is no lightweight (from 1959kg), but it never feels all that, with great maneuverability for running around the ‘burbs. The eight-speed automatic transmission is remarkably swift in its changes, too.

If there was an errand to run, I drove. I even drove the kids the 500m trip to school some days. A win for driving pleasure, perhaps not the environment however. My time in the Velar returned an average fuel consumption of 10.4L/100km.

The boot features four bag hooks, four anchor points and a retractable cover

Family Friendly

Only parents of young children can truly understand the horror that ensures when you’re faced with a cream leather interior that you have to safe guard from mud, shoes, pens, slime, school projects leaking lunch boxes and unexpected bodily functions for two whole weeks. But somehow, where kids-versus-car was concerned, the Velar won. It was a tense two weeks, however.

The second row of the Velar is as luxurious as the font of cabin, but it’s also surprisingly immune to childish behaviour, the robust wipe-clean molded plastic seat backs for example.

Those soft leather seats also feature electric reclining function that ups the comfort levels for longer trips.

You’ll find dedicated climate control and two directional air vents, as well as USB and 12-volt charge outlets in the centre armrest.

With room for five only, the 2018 Range Rover Velar is limited to smaller families, particularly as the leg room in the centre position is compromised. But where overall space is concerned, the Velar is on par with many similar-sized rivals. Second-row bench width is around 135cm, placing it (internally) larger than a CX-5 and a few centimetres shy of a CX-9. It was, however, perfect for my family of four and the occasional extra. If the centre position occupant was suffering, they were doing it in silence.

The boot features four bag hooks, four anchor points and the retractable cover fits neatly in the boot when not in use. It also features my personal favourite, 40:20:40 split folding seats for greater load flexibility.

The Velar’s beauty knows no age limits – my young children (and their friends) also swooning.

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It’s a yes from me

I was undeniably taken by the Velar’s package. The cabin refinement and ride comfort were a highlight.

But I’m not going to lie, it was the Velar’s stealth-SUV like looks that what won my heart. So much so that I found many a solid justification for the get-what-you-pay-for prestige price tag (see, I did it again).

How much is a 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE D300?
Price: $135,150 (plus on-road costs), $171,050 (as tested)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 221kW/700Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.4L/100km (ADR Combined) / 10.4L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 167g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)