Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic S Review
Car Tested: Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic S Petrol; Road Test No. 1162; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 86.80 – 88.28 lakhs
With its eye-catching looks and feature-loaded cabin, the Range Rover Velar takes a simple yet elegant approach to luxury
In the past few years, Land Rover have been on a roll, consistently launching great products. The Range Rover Velar is one of the latest additions in Land Rover’s ever-widening portfolio. It is the most road-biased SUV the company has ever made. With irresistible looks and the promise of driver involvement, the Velar has its eyes on the coupe-SUVs like the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe and the BMW X4. Is Velar beauty with brains? We find out.
Sporty and dazzling, the Velar is an instant attention magnet
Exteriors – The Velar boasts of an interesting design language. Long stance, clean lines and stunning attention-to-detail prove minimalism can be sexy too. The design truly draws you in and this car is sure to turn heads wherever you go. The highlights at the front are the sporty-looking air vents and appropriately-sized grille. The faux air-intakes on the bonnet and on the fenders make the Velar look quite sporty. Small details like bronze accents and nifty ‘R-Dynamic’ badges on the side make the design special. R-Dynamic happens to be the only trim level available for the India-spec Velar now.
The design is simple yet very glamorous and enticing
The Velar is one of the most elegantly designed luxury SUVs on sale today
The trim features larger wheels which suit the rest of the design. It is from the side, where the Velar truly comes into its own. There is very little going on yet the car looks very attractive. For the sake of simplicity, the door-handles are deployable. When the car is locked, they sit flush to the body and that creates a continuous, uninterrupted flow on the side profile. The Velar is also fairly long and couple that with the uncluttered design, the SUV looks pretty elegant. The rear features large tail lights, again, neatly done. We like the blackened portion between the tail lights and the large ‘Range Rover’ badge. It is hard to imagine a more striking SUV. The Velar is one hell of a looker!
The cabin feels airy, plush and premium
Interiors – The theme of simplicity continues on the inside. The interior of the Velar feels like a modern-day studio apartment. It is minimalistic, airy and full of all the modern-day essentials. You get the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with two touchscreens, a feature increasingly seen on newer JLR cars. The top screen can be adjusted and comes out ever so slightly when you start the car. The infotainment system is crisp and easy to operate but we would’ve liked more physical buttons. The lower touch screen that controls climate and off-road settings is a bit distracting at first but has superb graphics and an intuitive interface.
The electrically adjustable front seats offer great comfort
The dual infotainment screens look futuristic but take time getting used to
The front seats are super comfortable and offer 10-way powered adjustment for maximum comfort. Space in the front is commendable and we can’t complain about the ergonomics. Soft-touch dashboard and liberal use of leather makes the cabin look and feel upmarket. The backseat is reasonably spacious. The headroom is not too big an issue in the Velar, unlike some cars with sloping rooflines. The backrest is slightly reclined and that liberated some headroom. Besides, the panoramic sunroof and the beige theme on our test car gave a sense of space. Visibility in the front is hampered slightly by the large front headrests and we found the backseat to be best for two and not three. The pronounced hump in the centre and protruding centre console make it less comfortable for the middle passenger. Still, you wouldn’t mind getting chauffeured around in this SUV.
The rear seat is best suited for two passengers
The R-Dynamic trim provides you with a long list of equipment. In addition to the smart infotainment system and panoramic sunroof, you get, four-zone climate control, Android Auto and Apple Car Play connectivity options, ambient lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirrors etc. Mention must be made of the well-executed instrument cluster and touch-sensitive steering mounted controls.
Features such as the rising gear selector give the Velar a luxurious touch
The feature-loaded cabin feels spacious and upscale thanks to the beige upholstery and panoramic sunroof
Quality of materials is at par with other SUVs of the segment and the attention to detail like the rising gear selector upon start-up adds character to the Velar’s cabin. To sum it up, the Velar’s simple and suave interior is a truly unique take on luxury.
The petrol engine offers linear power delivery & has a sporty exhaust note
Performance – The Range Rover Velar now gets just 2.0-litre engines which is disappointing because a car that looks as stunning and unique deserves more power for sure. However, the engines manage to do the job but won’t put your pants on fire. The 2.0-litre diesel outputs 180 BHP while the 2.0-litre petrol belts out 250 BHP, we are driving the latter. Torque output is 365 Nm from a low 1500 RPM, peaking in at 4000 RPM, resulting in linear performance and a screaming top-end where the sound is quite exciting.
The 8-speed gearbox offers smooth shifts and also has a manual mode
The India spec Velar is only available with 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engine options
Reaching the ton takes a claimed 7.1 seconds and there is no step-up in power anywhere as turbo lag is well contained and performance is linear. The motor does get more exciting as well as vocal as you rev it harder, redlining at 7000 RPM in manual mode. The 8-speed gearbox is fast with shifts but not the quickest to give you a downshift although there is a Sports function for the transmission while the Dynamic mode alters the engine, gearbox and steering of the Velar. Fuel economy is between 7-9 km/l with a 63-litre fuel tank extending the range a bit.
Being a Land Rover, the Velar has exceptional grip & high speed stability
Driving Dynamics – The Range Rover Velar offers excellent grip with the all-wheel-drive system working brilliantly well and the wide tyres ensuring no wheel-spin even with the traction control off. A slew of electronics like torque vectoring, all surface progress control (a.k.a. cruise control at low speeds) and Terrain Response 2 ensures the car performs exceptionally in all kinds of conditions. However, it’s a bit too stiff which affects the ride quality. On good roads, the Velar does a great job but find me a good road please because no matter where I drove the Velar, the stiffness could be felt and the tyre sidewall isn’t too less at 50 profile!
Despite being on the heavier side, the Velar has minimal body roll
The ride feels extremely stiff on bad roads due to the low profile tyres
Thus, the Velar doesn’t feel very Range Rover in terms of ride comfort but does drive well with body roll being well contained, still, there is no getting away from the fact that it weighs 1874 kgs! The steering does weigh up and offers good feel at higher speeds and the car remains glued to the road. The brakes offer very surefooted stopping power with nose dive well contained under heavy braking.
The Velar boasts of an impressive build quality and a 5-star safety rating
Safety and After Sales Service – The Velar comes with 6 airbags and lane departure warning along with other common features like traction control and driver attention monitor. The fabulous build quality is reflected in the way the doors shut and how stable the car feels at high speeds. A strong build is an instant give away that it is a safe car. For absolute peace of mind, the Velar has been awarded a full five-star rating by Euro NCAP. Service network of JLR is constantly improving and after-sales shouldn’t be an issue.
The CKD route has made the Velar a fantastic buy
Verdict – The Velar’s biggest strength is its ability to stand out from the crowd. It is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous SUVs in the market today. The interiors are polished and the SUV scores high on features and feel-good factor. We also liked the fact that the Velar is amongst the better SUVs in the segment as far as dynamics go. The petrol engine proves to have more than enough grunt and it sounds great too! However, the Velar is not without its drawbacks. The ride could’ve been better and the rear seats could’ve been more practical. The locally-assembled model comes with only one trim level and two engine options, limiting the Velar’s appeal. However, at Rs. 86.8 lakhs on-road, Mumbai, the CKD route has kept the prices in check. With a relatively lower price tag, smashing looks, premium interiors, entertaining performance, sorted dynamics and a strong brand image, the Velar makes a compelling case in the luxury SUV segment.
The touch sensitive steering controls reflect the current action
What’s Cool
* Gorgeous looks with terrific road presence
* Airy cabin with loads of features
* Refined and sporty sounding petrol engine
* Superb grip and body control
* Comes with a 5-star safety rating
What’s Not So Cool
* Could have done with more powerful engines
* Rear seats could have been more spacious
* Stiff ride due to low profile tyres
Alternatives: – Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe, BMW X4, Jaguar F-Pace, Volvo XC60, Lexus NX 300h, Porsche Macan
A large boot makes the Velar ideal for weekend getaways
Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic S Specifications
* Engine: 1997cc, 4-Cyl, Petrol | 1999cc, 4-Cyl, Diesel
* Power: 250 BHP @ 5500 RPM | 180 BHP @ 4000 RPM
* Torque: 365 Nm @ 1500-4000 RPM | 430 Nm @ 1750-2500 RPM
* Top Speed: 217 km/hr
* 0-100 km/hr: 7.1 seconds
* Transmission: 8-Speed AT
* Fuel Consumption: 7-9 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol | Diesel
* Tyre Size: 255/50/20 (Front & Rear)
* Suspension: Air Suspension (Front & Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP
Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic S Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4797 mm X 2145 mm X 1665 mm
* Wheelbase: 2874 mm
* Ground Clearance: 196 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 63-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1874 kgs
The Velar is without a doubt, the best looking SUV in its segment
Further Reading –
2018 Range Rover Velar Review
Range Rover Velar First Drive Review
[wp-review id=”248402″]