“The Velar plugs a gap in, er, Land Rover's range of Range Rovers. It's bigger than the Evoque but smaller than the Sport ”
PROS Achingly stylish inside and out. Improved engines and plug-in option make the heavy-duty bits more competitive. Relaxed and refined, yet unusually superb off-road.
CONS Infotainment screen not quite Land Rover’s latest and greatest. Expensive once you start speccing it
The Range Rover Velar is a stylish, refined and seriously appealing coupé SUV. If you keep to small wheels, it's a comfy companion while our favoured S trim gets plenty of kit. It’s best to stick to the cheaper trims and engines – once you start moving up the range, the price rises into the realms of better-resolved cars, such as the Audi Q8 and BMW X6.
PROS Decent economy with diesels and plug-in Smooth and punchy D300 engine Good off road
CONS Average rear leg room Wallowy handling Some cheap plastics inside
Pros Huge fuel economy gains Seriously improved towing capacity Thoughtful and easy third-row access
Cons Unsettled ride quality Interior quality fails to match the price tag Mushy brake pedal saps confidence
Pros Handsome new styling, powerful and relatively efficient hybrid powertrain, quiet cabin.
Cons Rear-seat headroom is limited, feels unwieldy to drive, third row of seats don't fold flat into the floor.
Pros Ample power from the V6 hybrid drivetrain Impressive list of standard and available tech features Comfortable ride for a truck-based SUV High max towing capacity
Cons Noticeable wind noise at highway speed Awkward third-row seating position