The Range Rover Velar sits between the Evoque and Range Rover Sport in the brand’s line-up and focuses more on design and comfort than outright sportiness. The current model is the facelift introduced in 2023, with subtle styling tweaks and a more minimalistic interior. Priced from around Rs 79.9 lakh, ex-showroom, the Velar rivals luxury SUVs such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Here are two reasons to consider buying it and two reasons you may want to skip it.
Range Rover Velar pros
1. Comfy interior
Seats are supportive and long-distance comfort is strong
The Velar’s cabin follows a clean, minimalist design with most controls integrated into an 11.4-inch curved touchscreen. The seats are well-cushioned and comfortable at both the front and rear, and there is generous legroom for passengers. A large panoramic sunroof (fixed: Dynamic SE, sliding: Autobiography) helps make the cabin feel airy despite the high window line. The Velar also offers features such as massaging front seats, four-zone climate control, a Meridian sound system and a 360-degree camera, adding to overall comfort and convenience.
2. Striking looks
Still one of the best-looking SUVs in its class
Even several years after its debut, the Velar remains one of the most stylish SUVs in the segment. The facelift brought only small changes such as a revised grille, new LED headlamps and updated alloy wheel designs, but the overall shape continues to stand out. Its clean lines, flush door handles and wide stance give it a sleek, modern appearance that still turns heads.
Range Rover Velar cons
Now, let’s look at a couple of areas where the Velar shows some compromises.
1. Unsettled ride
Comfort mode feels soft but can get unsettled on bad roads
The Velar’s ride is generally comfortable, especially at lower speeds, but it can feel unsettled over larger bumps and broken roads. In Comfort mode, the ride softens but tends to allow some roll and pitch as speeds rise. Switching to Dynamic mode improves body control and makes the SUV feel more planted, but the overall ride still lacks the plush, effortless feel seen in larger Range Rovers.
2. Too few physical buttons
Touchscreen-heavy layout can be distracting
In the Velar’s minimalist interior, almost all functions are controlled through the central touchscreen. While the graphics and interface are easy to use, basic functions such as adjusting climate control or changing terrain settings require navigating through menus. This means taking your eyes off the road more often than in cars with physical buttons, which can be inconvenient during everyday driving.
Uday Singh
Glenn Noronha
Dipan Sur
