Used 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 5-passenger larger-than-compact luxury SUV packs that special Range Rover magic into a bundle that’s easy to live with around town, yet spacious enough for journeys further afield. That magic includes (but is certainly not limited to) a standard all-wheel-drive system, high-quality interiors, and stylish exteriors.

Working on the premise that the Evoque stablemate is a subcompact SUV, then logic suggests that this 2023 Velar — which is the next size up in the Land Rover lineup, yet smaller than the midsize Range Rover Sport — should be the marque’s compact offering. It isn’t quite as cut and dried as that. The Velar is roomy for the luxury compact SUV class.

Compared with something like the Audi Q7 or BMW X5 (both starting in the low $60K range) the Velar is around 5 inches shorter, making it slightly easier to park, but with comparable interior space. Factor in the high level of standard equipment as well, and the Velar goes some way in justifying its relatively high prices.

It’s probable that most 2023 Range Rover Velar luxury SUV owners will stick with bed and bath, without going beyond. But it’s always good to know that an excursion over the Atacama Desert is possible in theory. And those who live in places where winter is a regular, over-staying visitor will appreciate the Velar’s ability to cope with a range (pardon the pun) of challenging conditions.

One self-inflicted challenging condition is the base engine, which needs all of its 247 horsepower to get the Velar moving at a decent rate. Climbing to high altitudes with the family and their paraphernalia aboard would be better accomplished by one of the 6-cylinder alternatives.

Many manufacturers offer V6 engines, but Range Rover Velar models with the optional 6-cylinder engine use an inline setup. There’s an inherent smoothness to this configuration that complements the rest of the Velar’s silken driving experience.

The ride quality is an aspect that becomes even silkier with the air suspension that’s standard in the top HST trim and optional in the lower models. It enables the Velar to drop down for optimum aerodynamics on the freeway or lift up for greater ground clearance over rough terrain.

High-quality materials and high-class styling are hallmarks of every Range Rover cabin, including this 2023 Velar SUV.

The 5-seater Velar also has the virtue of generous accommodations for people and things. At 37.1 inches, rear legroom is pretty much the same as the midsize BMW X5. Behind the rear seats (that split and fold in 40/20/40 fashion) is a luggage area of 29.5 cubic feet. This expands to a maximum cargo space of 60.2 cubic feet when those seats are down.

There might be some people who don’t like the Range Rover design approach, which achieves a pinnacle of sorts in the 2023 Velar, and they’re entitled to their opinion. They’d be wrong, though.

We’re kidding (kind of), but anyone who manages to make an SUV look sleek without doing the whole “4-door coupe” thing has a rare talent. The way the body seems to kick up at the back, in combination with the contrasting black roof (only available and fitted as standard on the top HST model), really disguises the Velar’s dimensions.

The R-Dynamic treatment brings gray and copper elements, while an optional R-Dynamic Black styling package turns those items gloss black — this is standard on the new Velar HST trim. It’s also possible to dress up the base S with the same gloss black touches.

Charente Grey joins the list of premium metallic paint choices, as Silicon Silver is discontinued. Arroios Grey metallic is offered exclusively with the HST model.

TERRAIN RESPONSE SYSTEM
Although the 2023 Range Rover Velar is a luxury SUV, it’s still made by Land Rover, which counts as off-road royalty in dear old Britain. Over all the years Land Rover has been shunning paved roads, it has built up a vast reservoir of experience and expertise that has gone into the Terrain Response System, helping drivers deal with mud, snow, rocks, and sand. The 2023 Velar also comes standard with All Terrain Progress Control, which is like a low-speed cruise control for off-roading, allowing the driver to concentrate more on steering.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Not that there’s any one remarkable thing about it, but we like this system’s up-to-the-minute tech like pinch-to-zoom functions and over-the-air update capability. Yet this is not at the expense of user-friendliness. The features that are most commonly accessed don’t require a lot of scrolling to find.

Trim levels for the 2023 Range Rover Velar lineup are P250 S, P250 R-Dynamic S, P340 R-Dynamic S, and P400 HST.

The S version comes with many items that perhaps wouldn’t be available until a higher trim in rival vehicles, such as the power-adjustable steering column, perforated leather seating surfaces, all-wheel drive with a terrain response system, and various driver assistance features.

The rest of the standard inventory includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, rain-sensing wipers, panoramic roof, powered tailgate, keyless entry/ignition, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated/14-way power-adjustable front seats (with memory settings on the driver’s side), and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

The infotainment system is controlled by an 11.4-inch touchscreen, while adding Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, navigation, voice control, satellite radio, one USB-A port, one USB-C port, Bluetooth, and a 400-watt/12-speaker Meridian sound system — Meridian is a well-respected company in audiophile circles.

Safety systems include front/rear parking sensors, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.

The R-Dynamic S adds leather/simulated suede upholstery, and several cosmetic elements. Plus the option of the P340 6-cylinder engine. This more powerful version also includes an adaptive suspension.

The new Velar HST has the P400 powertrain (see the section below for more details), plus an air suspension, 21-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel wrapped in simulated suede, head-up display, and a 750-watt/17-speaker Meridian surround-sound system.

Options across the board include parking assistance, wade sensing, 360-degree camera system (with ClearSight Ground View, which is extremely useful off-road), larger wheels, 4-zone automatic climate control, Wi-Fi, nicer leather, fog lights, heated/ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats with powered recline, Activity Key, hands-free tailgate operation, and a configurable instrument cluster.

Some standard items in the HST are optional further down the trim level ladder, like the Meridian surround-sound system, air suspension, heated steering wheel, and the head-up display.

The HST also has some exclusive extras, including 20-way power-adjustable/heated/ventilated/massaging front seats, plus more interior and exterior color schemes.

The first two 2023 Range Rover Velar trim levels — S and R-Dynamic S — have a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. It’s referred to as the P250 setup.

The R-Dynamic S model also offers a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 developing 335 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This setup is known as the P340. This same engine is tuned to produce 395 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque in the HST, taking the title of P400. These 6-cylinder units also have a mild-hybrid system that helps with things like the fuel-saving engine stop/restart function.

An 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard across the lineup. Maximum towing capacities are 5,291 pounds (P250) or 5,911 pounds (P340/P400).

Each engine requires premium gasoline. These fuel economy estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relate to 2022, but there shouldn’t be any differences for 2023.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (P250 S, P250 R-Dynamic S)
247 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
269 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (P340 R-Dynamic S)
335 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
354 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (P400 HST)
395 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 mpg