Driven: 2024 Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE
2024 | land rover | range rover | reviews | suvs
It’s been a few years since we drove a Range Rover Velar. Since then, Land Rover has made a few updates to the graceful SUV, including a powerful mild-hybrid drivetrain, a new, single touchscreen setup, and tweaks to its front and rear styling. It’s still one of the sleekest luxury sedans you can buy and looks just as modern as it did the day it debuted.
Land Rover likes to use the word "reductive" to describe the Velar's design, and we can't think of a better way to say it. It has one of the most streamlined exteriors in recent memory. Its flush-mounted automatic door handles help minimize drag, while a liftgate spoiler increases downforce. The overall shape helps it cut effortlessly through the air, reducing wind noise and improving performance. Our test vehicle came with upgraded 21" dark grey wheels with a diamond-turned finish.
The Velar is available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. of torque, or a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-volt motor that work together to output 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft. of torque. Our Velar Dynamic SE P400 was equipped with the latter, and it's quick and satisfying. The 8-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and without lag and helps launch the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Besides a desirable engine sound, it offers a very quiet ride, and its handling is well-balanced between comfort and dynamics. It's especially adept when cornering, thanks to an open differential and torque vectoring by braking.
The same minimalistic approach can be found inside the Velar. It's not as showy as some luxury vehicles, but it's clearly high-end. Materials and build quality are excellent throughout, with soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard, door panels, and center armrest. The seats are trimmed in a buttery-smooth leather, and there's a dark grey ash veneer wood trim on the doors and center console. There's real metal trim around the gear shifter and aluminum paddle shifters with a wonderfully cold touch that suggests they're anything but cheap.
The dual stack of displays from the prior-generation Velar has been simplified and replaced with a single 11.4" touchscreen with a curved glass face. Except for the ones on the steering wheel and shift lever, there are virtually no other buttons, wheels, or knobs to be found here. The latest version of the Pivi Pro multimedia system is responsive, easy to use, and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It took a little getting used to accessing the climate and volume controls on the touchscreen, though. We prefer tactile inputs for those commonly used features, but doing that would distract from the clean look of the center stack. Fortunately, there is a volume control wheel on the left side of the steering wheel.
While we love the clean design and shape of the electronic gear shifter, there's one thing we didn't like about it. Unlike most shift levers, this one moves if you grab it. You still need to push its trigger to switch gears, but it can be disconcerting to put your hand there and feel it rock forward or back while in motion. The shifter is a natural place to rest your right hand while driving, so it would be better if it were locked in place.
The front seats are very well cushioned and comfortable on long drives. The Cold Climate Pack provides front- and rear-seat heat and front-seat ventilation. A front-seat massage feature is available with the top-of-the-line Dynamic HSE. The back row offers enough legroom and headroom for adults to sit comfortably. There's a pair of USB-C charging ports available back there, as well as a flip-down cupholder in the center armrest. A large panoramic roof makes the cabin feel airy and open when its shade is opened. As a thoughtful touch, the shade automatically closes when you shut the car off and then re-opens when you start back up.
As 2-row SUVs go, cargo space is plentiful behind the back seats. The sloped roof does impact cargo height, but you'll still enjoy 30.9 cubic feet of space with the back seats occupied. That jumps to 62.7 cubic feet if you fold the seats. They fold in a 40/20/40 arrangement, so you can carry long items like skis while still seating four passengers. There's a retractable shade to protect your cargo from peeping eyeballs and bright sun.
While some automakers might feel pressure to redesign their vehicles significantly every five years or so, we like that Land Rover has kept the overall design of the Velar. It has had a successful look since the first concept sketch was revealed, and it still looks modern and distinctive. We like the more powerful mild hybrid drivetrain and appreciate the minimalism of the updated center stack. The Velar is a classy and sophisticated vehicle without being ostentatious and happens to be fast, too. The 2024 Range Rover Velar starts at $61,500 for the Velar S P250. The Velar Dynamic SE P400 has a $70,600 base price. The final sticker price with the options seen here and delivery totaled $79,933.
