Range Rover Velar 2017 Review

Once it was just one model, but now Range Rover is a brand spanning four models including the new Velar. Priced from under $72,000, in line with the Jaguar F-PACE on which it’s based, the Velar brings a new level of design, luxury and off-road capability to the mid-size premium SUV class including luminaries like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Porsche Macan.

Welcome to the latest instalment in the brave new world of Range Rover, which began in 2004 when the BMW X5-rivalling Rangie Sport joined the world’s original luxury SUV and expanded further in 2011 with the introduction of the sleek Evoque mid-sizer.

Now the weirdly named Velar fills the size and price gap between the latter two and -- because it shares its advanced, aluminium-rich platform and engines with the similarly priced Jaguar F-PACE -- is far more sophisticated and luxurious than the Evoke.

And because it’s fitted as standard with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system and -- except for the cheapest petrol and diesel models -- adaptive air suspension, it also brings a higher (and class-leading) level of off-road ability than Jaguar’s first SUV.

Naturally, Land Rover was keen to highlight this at the Australian launch this week, when we subjected the Velar to some of the Lithgow State Forest’s more challenging hill climbs and creek crossings, all of which it took in its stride.

The one caveat here is that we only drove air suspended Velars (the mid-range D240 four-cylinder and top-spec D300 diesels, and the flagship P380 supercharged petrol V6, all on R-Dynamic form), with a sizeable 251mm of ground clearance and a class-leading 650mm wading depth, as opposed to the 213mm and 600mm of coil-sprung versions.

All three models delivered plenty of low- and mid-range torque -- and enough mechanical and electronic traction – to make steep, loose inclines a breeze, and resisted any punctures over sharp river rocks, even if low-speed ride quality was a little brittle even in Comfort damping mode on these surfaces.

Throw in solid double-wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension, some serious approach, departure and ramp-over angles and, even if the airbox is not vented via the bonnet as in the Discovery and there’s an ultimate lack of wheel articulation, the Velar will go much further into the bush than the Audi Q5, BMW X4 or Porsche Macan.

But the other note of caution is that, although all models get Terrain Response, the more sophisticated Terrain Response 2 is optional across the range for $430, as is a full-size spare wheel (which adds $1020 and reduces luggage space to a still reasonable 558 litres), and an active locking rear diff is only available in V6 models ($1100).

What really matters
Not that many Velar buyers will care. The closest most owners will go to off-roading will be the gravel driveway to their country estate and, although rock-climbing capability will be a nice-to-know for customers and remains a prerequisite for Range Rover, it’s on-road performance that will matter to the vast majority.

Indeed, it’s here that the Velar excels. Quiet, refined and relaxed, it feels a little softer and more luxurious than the F-PACE and its other mid-size rivals from Germany on the bitumen, where the air suspension is supple and the steering precise, if a little slow and lacking in feedback.

Rear legroom is fairly tight, there are some reflections from the heavily chromed centre console and you have to pay extra for a surprisingly long list of optional extras – including even a luggage net – but we think prospective buyers will be so enamoured with the Velar’s ‘reductionism’ design and high-tech features that they’ll overlook these foibles.

First there’s the Jaguar-esque flush-fit pop-out handles for all four doors, then once inside front occupants are treated to a pair of twin sliding and flip-up centre armrests, while the driver gets capacitive steering wheel controls and even the base model’s Luxtec and suedecloth trimmed front seats with eight-way manual adjustment look and feel the part.

But the highlight of the beautifully crafted, high-quality interior is JLR’s new Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which comprises two 10-inch high-definition colour touch-screens – the upper one for navigation and the lower one for audio, climate, seat, off-road and other vehicle functions -- many of which are echoed in the 5.0-inch colour TFT instrument display.

Sadly there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality, but the centre console is littered with classy hidden-until-lit controls and switchgear that looks and feels like a luxury car’s should.

Spoilt for choice
There’s no shortage of choice with three diesel engines (D180 and D240 four-cylinder and D300 V6), six petrol engines (P250 and P300 four-cylinder and P380 V6), four equipment grades (Velar, S, SE and HSE) and three design packages (Velar, R-Dynamic and First Edition).

All models – from the 132kW Ingenium-engined D180 to the 280kW supercharged V6 P380 – come with a 2500kg braked tow capacity, but a tow hitch receiver costs $1000 extra (and is unavailable with the First Edition).

Standard safety equipment at base level is extensive, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, reversing camera, six airbags, traction/stability control, roll stability control, cornering brake control, torque vectoring by braking, anti-lock brakes, emergency brake assist, brake pad wear indicator, hill descent control, gradient release control, hill launch assist, trailer stability assist, tyre pressure monitoring and a perimeter alarm.

However, blind-spot, rear traffic and driver condition monitors are standard only from SE level, and high-speed AEB, lane-keeping assist and automatic parking only from HSE level.

Other range-wide standard equipment includes all-wheel drive, a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, Terrain Response, Powered Gesture Tailgate, electric park brake, adaptive dynamics, idle-stop, electric power steering, automatic wipers and headlights, front/rear LED lights, heated wing mirrors, acoustic laminated windscreen, keyless entry/start and rear parking sensors.

Base models run on 18-inch alloy wheels but still score a leather steering wheel, illuminated vanity mirrors, Morzine headlining, 5.0-inch instrument panel display, black gearshift paddles, metal scuff and tread plates, dual-zone climate-control, ambient interior lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, air quality sensor and 250W eight-speaker audio.

At the entry level there’s also a 40:20:40-split folding rear seat, four one-touch power windows, cruise control, speed limiter, lockable glovebox, luggage cover, two USB outlets and three 12V sockets.

Stepping up from the standard Velar to the S, SE and HSE brings 19-, 20- and 21-inch wheels, premium LED, Matrix LED and Matrix LED headlights with signature DRLs, and higher-spec seats and sound systems for a price premium of $11,100, $8900 and $16,300 respectively.

In addition, for another $6000, R-Dynamic models add design upgrades including unique front and rear bumper designs with front fog lights and integrated rear exhaust finishers, branded treadplates, a leather steering wheel with chrome bezel, Satin Chrome gearshift paddles, Shadow Aluminium trim finisher, Bright metal pedals, Ebony Morzine headlining and Gloss Black side mirrors with Narvik Black scalps.

Then there’s the First Edition model -- $168,250 for the D300 and $168,862 for the P380 – that for $53,200 more comes with a host of extra luxury features available at extra cost in lesser models, including All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC), Terrain Response 2, Configurable Dynamics, Active Rear Locking Differential and Wade Sensing.

Differentiated by First Edition badging on the B-pillar, there’s also a black contrast roof, sliding panoramic roof, Matrix-Laser LED headlights with Signature Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and privacy glass and 22-inch wheels with Diamond Turned finish.

Other additional features include 20-way heated/cooled front seats with memory and massage functions in Light Oyster/Ebony perforated Windsor leather, heated rear reclining seats, Carbon Fibre with Copper Wire Weave trim finishers with exclusive First Edition script, Suedecloth headlining, illuminated R-Dynamic treadplates and premium carpet mats.

Rounding out the First Edition extras is configurable Ambient Interior Lighting, a heated steering wheel, heated windscreen, head-up display, 1600W/23-speaker Meridian Signature Sound System, Power Socket Pack 2 (4xUSB, 3x12V), instrument panel chrome ends, reduced section alloy spare wheel, Interior Luxury Pack Plus, Surround Camera System and the Activity Key wristband.

If that’s not enough and you don’t like the standard Corris Grey paint, you can option the First Edition with Silicon Silver ($1780) or Flux Silver ($13,120) paint, bringing the price to about $182,000.

Getting silly now
But there’s more, in the form of a boggling array of extra-cost options available across the range, including a black contrast roof ($1260), fixed panoramic roof ($3550), sliding panoramic roof ($4370) and silver or black roof rails ($940).

Among the host of other range-wide options are metallic paint ($1780), premium metallic paint ($3550; the only standard solid paint colours are white and black), a luggage net ($380), Terrain Response 2 ($430), cooled glovebox ($430), configurable ambient lighting ($540), All Terrain Progress Control ($640), Interactive Drive Display ($890), privacy glass ($890), digital DAB+ radio ($940), Activity Key ($960), surround camera ($1650), four-zone climate-control ($1910), digital TV ($2220), head-up display ($2420), an 8.0-inch rear entertainment system ($5490) and an array of seat options.

In short, with 50 model variants and an endless options list, there’s a Velar for everyone – if you’re prepared to pay for it and wait for it.

Land Rover Australia says customers will face a minimum six-week waiting time, but new orders won’t be delivered until March, the average will be three months and bespoke order will take “significantly longer” to arrive.

We’re willing to bet that the 400-plus early adopters won’t mind too much. The question is how many of the conquest buyers Land Rover expects to extract from its German rivals will.

Either way, with this much customisation, style, technology, luxury and all-terrain capability now available in the mid-size premium SUV segment, get ready to see a lot more of the sleekest, most car-like Ranger Rover ever at your local school kiss-and-drop soon.

2018 Range Rover Velar D240 pricing and specifications:
Price: $80,950 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 177kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km
CO2: 154g/km
Safety rating: TBC

2018 Range Rover Velar D300 pricing and specifications:
Price: $92,850 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel
Output: 221kW/700Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.4L/100km
CO2: 167g/km
Safety rating: TBC

2018 Range Rover Velar P380 pricing and specifications:
Price: $93,462 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol
Output: 280kW
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.4L/100km
CO2: 214g/km
Safety rating: TBC