2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 review


The Range Rover Velar has always presented as a stylish option in the luxury SUV segment. But is the Velar SE P250 a case of too much style and not enough substance?

2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or so the saying goes. Another aphorism suggests beauty is only skin deep. In the case of the 2023 Range Rover Velar, the former rings true while making a mockery of the latter.

Make no mistake, the Velar is an exercise in aesthetics. It’s no great surprise that since it debuted in 2018, the wider Range Rover line-up has adopted some of the Velar’s styling cues. It’s no longer a case of the Velar looking like a Range Rover, but a Range Rover looking like a Velar.

That’s no bad thing, the Velar always cutting a stylish figure either on the road or parked kerbside. And at a healthy chunk of money more affordable than even the most affordable Range Rover Sport, the Velar could be the Range Rover to buy if your budget doesn’t stretch to the full-fat Sport or eponymous models.

Changes for MY23 are few; a powered tailgate and a perforated leather steering wheel the headline additions across the range that now numbers six variants, up from five. The new addition to the Velar line-up is the range-topping R-Dynamic HSE plug-in hybrid, while a new diesel-powered option – Edition D300 – replaces the now deleted Velar SE D200.

Still, just a few short years ago, the Velar range exceeded 30 variants, which was often a complaint among potential buyers who came away bamboozled with choice. Kudos to Jaguar Land Rover for keeping it simple.

How much does the Range Rover Velar cost in Australia?

Our test car, the 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250, sits on the second rung of the Velar ladder, with a list price of $98,900 before on-road costs. As a guide, in NSW that translates to around $108,000 drive-away before options are added in.

Our test car wears a few options, with the headline act the $4420 sliding panoramic roof. Electronic air suspension adds another $2110, while the 21-inch alloys ($2080) replace the standard-fit 20-inch numbers.

That black contrasting roof looks magnificent against the Ostuni Pearl White paint of our test car. It also adds $1425 to the bottom line. Configurable dynamics, i.e. selectable drive modes, asks for $940 while privacy glass adds another $890.

Adding seat heating to the standard-fit 14-way power-adjustable seats with memory function for the driver adds $806, while bringing up the rear, premium cabin lighting (which adds extra colours to the ambient palette) at $540 and Argento Pinstripe veneer ($220) belong in the take-it-or-leave-it column.

Total price of our test car? Try $112,331 before on-road costs, or around $122,000 drive-away.

On top of the nice optional extras, standard equipment highlights include an 11.4-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a new for MY23 powered tailgate, 14-way power-adjustable seats with memory function for the driver, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a 12-speaker (including subwoofer) Meridian sound system, as well as some off-road tech like all-terrain progress control and a single-speed transfer case.

There’s also a full complement of safety technologies that we’ll delve into later.

Key details 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250
Price $98,900 plus on-road costs
Colour of test car Ostuni Pearl White
Options Sliding panoramic roof – $4420
Electronic air suspension – $2110
21-inch alloy wheels – $2080
Santorini Black contrasting roof – $1425
Configurable dynamics – $940
Heated seats – $806
Premium cabin lighting – $540
Argento Pinstripe veneer – $220
Price as tested $112,331 plus on-road costs
Drive-away price $122,000 (NSW, approx)
Rivals Genesis GV80 | Jaguar F-Pace | Land Rover Defender

How much space does the Range Rover Velar have inside?

Range Rover has long enjoyed a reputation for providing sumptuous interiors. Plush materials and a general ambience that screams luxury are hallmarks of the brand, and have been for a long time.

The Range Rover Velar carries on this tradition, the cabin of the R-Dynamic SE P250 a work of understated art that wouldn’t look out of place in the pages of an architectural or interior design magazine.

Our test car came fitted with the ebony perforated grained leather interior with suede accents on the seat bolsters. Supremely comfortable and with 14-way power adjustment, the perfect driving position isn’t far away.

Twin screens dominate the dashboard fascia, the top for the Velar’s infotainment system, the lower second screen for the car’s driving modes.

There are chunky dials for climate-control functions, although it’s worth noting while temperature and seat heating can be accessed via these dials, adjusting fan speed happens only through that second screen.

The second row offers decent enough space for adults, with the outboard seats soaking up their occupants with a comforting and comfortable plushness.

Amenities for second-row passengers run to a pair of air vents, although no separate climate controls. A pair of USB-C plugs are joined by a 12V outlet, while a fold-down armrest reveals a pair of cupholders.

The large transmission tunnel divides the foot well in the second row, impacting on space and comfort for those consigned to the middle seat. Par for the course.

A high window line does create a somewhat sombre ambience in the second row, with swathes of dark materials conspiring with the elevated window frames to keep things dark back there. Only the presence of the panoramic roof helped lighten the mood in row two.

The new-for-MY23 powered tailgate opens to reveal a cavernous boot space. With the second row in use, there’s a generous 748L of cargo capacity. That expands to a commanding 1811L with the second row stowed away in 40:20:40 split fashion.

The boot is festooned with tie-down points (four of them), as well as a smattering of bag hooks to help keep things nice and secure back there.

A space-saver wheel lives under the boot floor. If your car interior tastes run to Vogue Living, you won’t be disappointed with the interior of the Velar, its combination of sumptuous materials and feeling of solidity bearing all the hallmarks Range Rover is known for.

2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250
Seats Five
Boot volume 748L seats up
1811L seats folded
Length 4797mm
Width 2041mm
Height 1683mm
Wheelbase 2874mm

Does the Range Rover Velar have Apple CarPlay?

The 11.4-inch touchscreen running JLR’s Pivi Pro operating system is a cracker. It’s equipped with native satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, and a premium 12-speaker (including subwoofer) Meridian sound system.

It’s a sharp system, with excellent graphics displayed on a screen that can be angled up or down to suit your personal preference. The menu structure is easy to navigate, and Apple CarPlay connects quickly and seamlessly once initial set-up has been completed.

The second screen serves as the Velar’s nerve centre, allowing for switching between drive modes – Eco, Comfort, Dynamic – or off-road modes such as grass, gravel, snow, mud, ruts, and sand.

There’s also ride-height adjustment – from the lowest setting called Access through to Normal and Off-road. We loved the Access setting that has the Velar sitting close to the ground, adding even more menace to the already hulking presence the Velar casts on the road. Sadly, it is literally a setting for Access, as in making it easier to get in and out of your Velar, and once a certain speed is reached, the ride height adjusts to a higher – or Normal – setting.

A digital driver’s display can be configured to taste through any number of ways – from full-screen mapping to two traditional dials, to a single central tachometer, the driver’s display can show a wealth of driving information and trip data.

Interestingly, while JLR confirmed the MY23 update would revert to a smaller 7.0-inch digital display nestled between traditional dials, our MY23 test car was most definitely fitted with the older 12.0-inch fully digital iteration. Our personal preference was for a central tacho with a digital speed readout inside, mapping to the right and trip information on the left.


Is the Range Rover Velar a safe car?

The Range Rover Velar wears a five-star safety rating from ANCAP awarded in 2017.

It scored 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent child occupant, 74 per cent pedestrian protection, and 72 per cent for its safety assist systems.

Six airbags cover both rows.

While the Velar’s platform remains unchanged since it first debuted right at the tail end of 2017, it’s worth noting that ANCAP’s tougher testing protocols in the intervening years offer no guarantees the Velar would be a five-star car if tested today.

And ANCAP’s recent decision to bring in a six-year expiry to its ratings means the Velar will lose its five-star safety rating in September 2023.

2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250
ANCAP rating Five stars (tested 2017)
Safety report Link to ANCAP report

What safety technology does the Range Rover Velar have?

While its five-star safety rating dates back to 2017, the Velar’s safety technologies run the full gamut. Standard systems include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot assist, and rear cross-traffic monitoring.

Additional features run to traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a driver attention monitor.

It’s a pretty comprehensive suite of technology, and in league with its main rivals. While the Jaguar F-Pace matches the Velar’s safety suite, the Land Rover Defender ups the ante with 360-degree-view cameras, a feature also standard in the Genesis GV80. And the GV80’s airbag count runs to 10, four more than the Velar.

Our time with the Velar didn’t invoke any emergency responses, so we can’t comment on the systems’ efficacy. Similarly, we didn’t notice any overly eager responses from things like lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking, while adaptive cruise control was commendably accurate, both in terms of maintaining speed and distance from the car in front.

How much does the Range Rover Velar cost to maintain?

Range Rover covers the Velar with its standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty that also includes five years of roadside assistance.

Servicing intervals are not specified. Instead, the Velar’s systems will inform you when a trip to the workshop is required based on individual driving styles and conditions. An alert on the instrument panel displays the relevant service message and estimates the distance until the next service is needed.

Jaguar Land Rover offers just a single service plan for the Velar, and the five-year/105,000km schedule runs to a very reasonable for the segment $1950. That averages out to just $390 per annum/21,000km.

Comprehensive insurance runs to $2382.24 per annum on a comparative quote from one of Australia’s leading insurers and based on a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW – insurance estimates may vary based on your location and driving history.

At a glance 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250
Warranty Five years, unlimited km
Service intervals Condition-based
Servicing costs $1950 (5 years)

Is the Range Rover Velar fuel-efficient?

Range Rover claims the Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 will use just 7.8L/100km of 95-octane premium unleaded. The Velar’s fuel tank measures in at 82L.

That seems a tad ambitious on paper, and so it proved, our week with the big SUV returning an indicated 12.2L/100km.

That was achieved over a variety of conditions – from city traffic to urban sprawl as well as long, loping highway runs. Using the fuel indicator as a guide, the urban environment isn’t the Velar’s best friend, the trip meter regularly indicating fuel use in the 15s.

A long highway run saw that number drop to mid-9s, but once back in the ’burbs, it ballooned back up to 12s before settling on our final figure of 12.2L.

While we expect real-world fuel usage to be higher than a manufacturer’s claim, 4.4L over the odds isn’t great by any measure.

Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp

Fuel Useage Fuel Stats
Fuel cons. (claimed) 7.8L/100km
Fuel cons. (on test) 12.2L/100km
Fuel type 95-octane premium unleaded
Fuel tank size 82L

What is the Range Rover Velar like to drive?

The turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine under the Velar’s bonnet is good for 184kW at 5000rpm and 365Nm from 1300–4500rpm. It’s part of the Ingenium family and, in this specification, also finds a regular home in any number of the broader Jaguar Land Rover stable – Jaguars XE, XF, XJ and F-Pace, and Range Rovers Evoque and Velar.

While the turbo four might be eager to hurtle a medium sedan or even a compact SUV with some alacrity, in the Velar its shortfalls soon become apparent.

It’s a docile enough powertrain to offer enjoyable medium-speed motoring around town, but stretch the Velar’s legs and it soon becomes apparent a 2.0-litre turbo four isn’t enough to get the 1881kg Velar moving at respectable pace.

Range Rover claims a 0–100km/h sprint time of 7.5 seconds which, while not exactly slow, ain’t rapid either.

Moving away from standstill, it feels like the engine is working harder than it ought to in getting the Velar moving and up to speed. Perhaps that’s why the fuel consumption figure was blown out over our week with the car. A heavier right foot was needed to keep pace.

Similarly, out on the highway, the powertrain felt a little stressed in getting up to speed, although once there it settled into a relaxed enough hum.

The eight-speed automatic transmission offered some redemption, its slick and intuitive nature ensuring the right cog to maintain momentum.

A high point of the drive experience is the ride, thanks no doubt to the optional electronic air suspension. It feels plush on the road, without ever straying into overly soft territory.

It’s at its best on scrappy suburban roads, soaking up blemishes with nary a ripple felt inside the cabin. And navigating speed humps has never felt so cushioning.

Despite its size and obvious heft, the Velar remains surprisingly not exactly agile, but certainly composed – and flat – when cornering or navigating roundabouts

Drive modes – from Eco through Comfort and Dynamic – alter the characteristics of the Velar, but not so much as you’d really notice. In Dynamic, the Velar holds onto revs a little longer, but it’s a case of a lot of noise with no visible gain.

Off-road drive modes cater to a variety of surfaces, none of which we were able to test during our time with the Velar. We’d venture not a lot of Velar owners are tackling off-roading in any meaningful way. But, of course, reputationally at least, Range Rovers of all shapes and sizes can more than hold their own when it comes to off-road terrain.

Overall, the Velar in this specification is pleasant to drive, if not thrilling or engaging. It does most things acceptably, but falls short in some areas.

We’d like a bit more poke, but we also suspect the 2.0-litre four in this specification is at close to its zenith. Still, a commendable ride and okay performance should be enough to get the Velar across the line for buyers who prioritise style and comfort over performance.

Key details 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250
Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power 184kW @ 5000rpm
Torque 365Nm @ 1300–4500rpm
Drive type All-wheel drive
Transmission Eight-speed torque converter automatic
Power to weight ratio 98kW/t
Weight (kerb) 1881kg
Spare tyre type Space-saver
Tow rating 2400kg braked
750kg unbraked
Turning circle 11.94m

Should I buy a Range Rover Velar?

The Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 answers a lot of questions for buyers who value style. From its undeniable street presence to an interior that oozes modern chic, the Velar cuts a striking figure from wherever you’re sitting.

Its powertrain may feel a little underdone in this specification, but it’s perfectly serviceable for most duties, if a touch thirsty.

We can’t help but think the Velar P400 and its powerful inline six-cylinder might be the pick of the range, though, if your budget can stretch to around $136,000 on the road. But that’s starting to nudge into Range Rover Sport type of money.

Still, the Velar’s stylish and imposing take on the segment is matched by an interior that oozes luxury brand – a feeling backed up by the badge on the grille. It’s a lovely place to spend time behind the wheel in, even if the performance doesn’t quite live up to expectations.

The post 2023 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE P250 review appeared first on Drive.



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