2024 Range Rover Velar pushes the design envelope for a Range Rover, but without compromising its core values
The 2024 Range Rover Velar, the entry-level Range Rover model has a classy exterior and a
premium-filled interior to satisfy even the most discerning buyer of this fine British mark.
The Velar may be small, but nothing is lost in its design that retains the premium appeal of the
larger Range Rover Sport Autobiography and the Range Rover Sport SE Dynamic.
But does the Velar still stand out as a distinct style offering on the heels of the bigger Range Rover and Range Rover Sport getting redesigns that made them imitate some of what the Velar is trying to do? Or is there still a few tricks left that are exclusive to the Velar?
Smooth propulsion
Headlight.news drove the 2024 Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE with the 3.0-liter turbocharged
inline 6-cylinder mild hybrid. This combination produced 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of
torque that powered all four wheels through a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.
Mild hybrid engine technology uses an electric motor in conjunction with a gasoline engine, but
unlike a traditional hybrid it cannot run solely on electricity.
The mild hybrid electric motor boosts the gasoline engine when accelerating and modestly helps with fuel efficiency. A 48V lithium-ion battery is replenished through regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy into
electric energy and stores it in the battery when applying the brakes or coasting. There is no
plug on the Range Rover to recharge the mild hybrid system.
Understated roadholding
The turbocharged 6-cylinder and an electric motor gave the Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE solid acceleration with 0 – 60 miles per hour consistently turned in the 5.2-second range. The paddle shifters produced quick shifts and were fun to play with, but the 8-speed automatic powering all four wheels was plenty to satisfy driving enthusiasts. Engaging the Adaptive Dynamics adjusts the steering for a sportier weight to the steering, transmission shift points, and throttle response for the best performance.
With driver-selectable drive modes of Eco, Comfort, and Dynamic the Velar has options for freeway, city, and performance driving. Using 91 octane fuel the 3.0-liter mild hybrid has an EPA
rating of 19 city/21 highway and 25 combined. Over 172 miles of Southern California city and
highway driving, our combined average was 20.9 mpg, which was acceptable for such a powerful
engine and the 4,430 lb curb weight.
The intelligent torque-on-demand all-wheel drive can vary the torque front-to-rear and side-to
side based on driving conditions. Torque vectoring through braking helps distribute torque to the
wheel in most need for extra grip. Off-road driving has a specific calibration with the Terrain
Response system which allows the driver to adjust vehicle settings of Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud-
Ruts, and Sand. Each alters the calibration of the engine, transmission, all-wheel drive system,
suspension, and stability control systems for optimum traction.
The Michelin Latitude Tour 265/40 all-season tires, mounted on optional dark gray 21-inch
alloy wheels with a diamond-turned finish ($2,600), were quiet and handled well. Stopping was achieved
through electronically controlled brake system that incorporates regenerative control and power-
assisted, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brakes. Towing is up to 5,511 pounds.
Classy and Elegant
Range Rover says the Velar has a “reductive design that is a reflection of modernity and is
captivating in its simplicity.” In this case, reductive means simplified and modern, but a design
that ages well. There isn’t too much hyperbole here as the exterior is smooth and classy. Our
test model, finished in Zadar Grey ($1,550 option) was a head-turner with amazing curb appeal. It is less boxy and looks sleek even sitting still than the Ranger Rover which is six inches longer, has a five-inch longer wheelbase, three extra inches in width, and is a significant 5.7 inches shorter in height. The two-row, five-passenger 2024 Range Rover Velar comes in four models of S and Dynamic SE with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine (247 hp and 269 lb-ft torque), and the Dynamic SE and Dynamic HSE with the mild-hybrid 3.0-liter set-up we drove.
The redesigned narrow grille, sporting a diminutive Range Rover badge, is framed by the slim
LED headlights and the subtle R-A-N-G-E R-O-V-E-R lettering on the sculpted hood. The side
view is clean with power recessing color-keyed door handles and no chrome or cladding. Black B,
C and D pillars are nearly invisible against the dark-tinted privacy glass.
The rear has slim ‘U-shaped’ LED tail lights that sit high above the twin rectangular
exhaust ports. If you want even more classy, the rear wiper has been tucked under the visor,
resulting in an unobstructed view for the driver and a clean palette design. The results are
aerodynamics with a slippery 0.32 coefficient of drag.
Premium interior
The high-end interior has premium materials and soft-touch surfaces, with elements of dark or
light anodized aluminum trim, piano black, and Shadow Grey Ash wood veneer. Seats are
covered in either textile, or, like our Velar Dynamic SE with perforated-grained leather. Our
interior color, which is one of six options, was in Cloud/Ebony, The soft, supple, heated and
cooled front seats had 14-way power adjustments with driver-side memory. When the heated
60:20:40 rear seat is folded flat cargo space goes from 30.9 cubic feet to 62.7 cubic feet.
The 8.5-inches of ground clearance eased entering and exiting, but the slanted windshield
and floating roof made for a few head knocks before remembering to accommodate these sleek design features. The driver seat was comfortable and headroom was good once situated.
The leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel has controls for audio, hands-free
Bluetooth telephone operation, and the adaptive cruise control. The 12.3-inch digital interactive
driver display has high-definition graphics clearly displaying the vehicle operation information.
The centerpiece of the Range Rover Velar cockpit is the floating 11.4-inch high-definition
touchscreen that sits above the most sparse center console we have encountered.
This houses the knob-and-switch-and-button-free Pivi Pro infotainment system for navigation
and entertainment, and is how the Velar becomes a ‘connected car’ through a mobile phone
after downloading the iGuide App. While the dash is clean and modern, it would have been great
to have physical controls for the volume and channel selection.
The 400-watt amplifier powered the Meridian sound system offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM,
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, multiple USB ports, Wi-Fi, and wireless phone
charging. Noise cancellation helps reduce the in-cabin presence of road and wind noise.
As part of the Cold Climate Package ($1,175) there was a heated windshield and washer jets.
The two-zone climate control features an air quality sensor with cabin air ionization. Our Range Rover
had the optional Head-Up Display ($1,00 option), bright metal pedals, ambient lighting, carpeted
mats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, Homelink auto-dimming rearview mirror, push button and
remote start.
Safety and convinence
The 2024 Range Rover Velar has safety systems including airbags, dynamic stability control,
electronic traction and roll stability control, hill and low traction launch assist, anti-lock brakes
with emergency braking, electronic brake-force distribution, and cornering brake control. The
surround camera, blind spot and rear traffic monitors, and lane keep assist all aid in safer
driving. Convenience features included power-folding heated exterior mirrors with nighttime approach
lights, keyless entry and push button start, tire pressure monitor, and auto hold.
Pricing
These are the base prices for the four 2024 Range Rover Velar models, including the mandatory
$1,275 destination and delivery charge.
P250 S 2.0-liter $62,775
P250 Dynamic SE 2.0-liter $64,875
P400 Dynamic SE 3.0-liter $71,875
P400 Dynamic HSE 3.0-liter $71,875
Headlight.news tested the 2024 Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE P400 with a final price of
$80,533. This included $8,658 in options and packages, and the separate $1,275 destination charge.
Warranties
• Powertrain Four years/50,000 miles
New Vehicle Four years/50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance Four years/50,000 miles
Corrosion Perforation Six years/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2024 Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE P400
The competition for luxury midsize SUVs is fierce with the likes of the Porsche Macan, Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz GLC-
class, BMW X3 Volvo XC60 and the Cadillac XT6. The Range Rover’s popularity, due to on and off-road versatility plus classic British looks, has
made it a go-to for those who want to be seen but not in a show-off kind of way.
John Faulkner has 40 years of experience branding, launching and marketing automobiles at each of the Detroit Three as well as several Japanese brands. Faulkner is the Road Test Editor/Senior Writer at Clean Fleet Report, and is a journalist member of the Motor Press Guild and Western Automotive Journalists.
Too bad Tata can’t do something similar for poor Jaguar.