Used 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

#9 in Best Midsize Luxury SUVs of 2020

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is the sleekest SUV in the British manufacturer’s fleet, shunning the upright boxy look of its larger Range Rover siblings in favor of something more ready to walk the runway than traverse the Scottish Highlands. This design serves the Velar well as it plays in a rather packed field, running up against less expensive luxury SUVs like the Lexus RX 350 and Lincoln Nautilus, as well as proven performers such as the BMW X5, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

From its potent engine options to its capable handling, the Velar can run with the best of them. However, when the paved road ceases and all that’s left is dirt, rocks and mud, the Velar can venture where very few dare to follow.

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Getting a driving impression from the 2020 Land Rover Velar depends on which engine is under the bonnet (that’s British for “hood”). The standard 2.0-liter turbo isn’t blatantly speedy, but it does provide quick off-the-line acceleration. With nearly as much torque as the supercharged 3.0-liter V6, the base engine delivers modest passing power with two people aboard. Fuel economy with this engine is the best of the bunch, but still below that of many rivals.

The aforementioned V6 is a more enjoyable powerplant, but ordering it in the R-Dynamic HSE brings along an electronic air suspension that adds weight and detracts from the Velar’s otherwise excellent handling.

However, for those who plan to venture off-road or tow a heavy trailer, the air suspension is a must-have. If not, the standard coil-spring suspension offers a smoother ride and better cornering. For those seeking the ultimate in Velar performance, the supercharged V8 in the SVAutobiography has what it takes to run with competitors like the Porsche Macan and BMW X5 M.

An elegant, simple layout, high-quality materials, and the most modern amenities available in a Range Rover to date are found in the new Velar’s cabin. With the ignition off, you see a clean, tasteful layout with contrasting dark and light hues plus brushed-aluminum accents. Leather is standard, but if you prefer an alternative material, there’s a Kvadrat interior, a mix of textile and Suedecloth inserts. Push the start button, and what seemed like blank spaces illuminate the digital gauge cluster in front of the driver, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment and climate control in the center stack.

The Velar’s styling isn’t as upright as the Range Rover but more sweptback and fluid than the Discovery Sport. That makes the Velar a rather attractive prospect with a look all its own. Unique features like the flush-mounted side door handles that extend when the vehicle is remotely unlocked are a nice touch, as are the R-Dynamic’s 20-inch wheels (you can opt for 22s, if that’s how you roll). The black roof and D-pillar add even more visual punch, but the lack of integrated roof rails requires those needing more cargo space to opt for the available roof-rail package and crossbars.

TOUCH-SCREEN CONTROLS
Land Rover’s InControl Touch Pro Duo sounds like a complicated title for what is a pretty complicated system. Once you get used to how the touch-screen interface works, however, it’s pretty much like operating a big smartphone, with touch and swipe gestures giving access to the configurable digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus navigation. A second 10-inch screen below controls climate functions.

TRACTION TECH
While every luxury SUV offers all-wheel drive, most can do little more than tackle dirt or snow-covered roads. Not so for the Velar. Land Rover’s advanced AWD system offers Terrain Response 2 that can adapt to differing off-road conditions, an active locking rear differential and an available air suspension offering varying heights for clearing rocks or fording streams.

All Velars come standard with all-wheel drive, a 5-passenger layout and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The base Velar comes with the 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine. It has heated power-folding side mirrors, a power tailgate, Terrain Response, trailer-stability assist, torque vectoring, rain-sensing wipers, Park Assist, hill-launch assist and hill-descent control, front and rear parking aid and lane-departure warning. Inside, there’s a 380-watt 11-speaker Meridian sound system, along with navigation and 14-way-power seats with lumbar and memory. The Velar S rides on 19-inch wheels.

The S and R-Dynamic S can be equipped with a 340-horsepower supercharged V6. Move up the ladder to the R-Dynamic HSE and you get a 380-horsepower supercharged V6 and air suspension, an on/off-road package that includes Terrain Response 2, a configurable dynamic mode, and more; adaptive cruise control, park assist that takes care of parallel and perpendicular parking, high-speed emergency braking, 360-degree parking assist, a 825-watt 17-speaker Meridian surround-sound audio system and 20-way-power heated and cooling front seats with all five spots covered in perforated Windsor leather.

The SVAutobiography brings much of the HSE equipment along with a 550-horsepower supercharged V8. The Driver Assist pack adds a 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control with steering assist. A head-up display and 1,600-watt 23-speaker Meridian sound system, heated windshield and electric deployable side steps are also on the options list.

As with most luxury brands, there are multiple engine options for the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar. Standard is a very good 2.0-liter gas-powered engine that is smooth and efficient, with 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. There are two optional supercharged 3.0-liter V6s, one producing 340 horsepower in the S and another good for 380 horsepower in the HSE. Lastly is the new SVAutobiography’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8 good for 550 horses.

Regardless of engine choice you’ll get an excellent 8-speed automatic transmission teamed to Land Rover’s legendary all-wheel-drive system. The Velar is tow-rated at 5,500 pounds.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (S, R-Dynamic S)
247 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
269 lb-ft of torque @ 1,200-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 mpg

3.0-liter supercharged V6 (S, R-Dynamic S)
340 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg

3.0-liter supercharged V6 (R-Dynamic HSE)
380 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg

5.0-liter supercharged V8 (SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition)
550 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
502 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg