2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Review

If you're looking for a premium SUV that's easy on the eyes, comfortable on the road and better than average off the beaten path, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar should be on your list. Part of the Range Rover family of vehicles, the Velar slots between the Evoque compact luxury SUV and the midsize Range Rover Sport. Like the smaller Evoque, the Velar places heavy emphasis on its exterior styling, with a raked roofline creating its sleek rear styling. But there's more to like about the Velar than just its stylish good looks.

Inside the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a lavishly appointed interior with minimal switchgear. You'll find many of the Velar's controls in the dual central screens, which run Land Rover's recently introduced Pivi Pro infotainment system. The Velar's cabin is also exceedingly comfortable, especially when you opt for the available air suspension.

The Velar offers three powertrains from Jaguar Land Rover's Ingenium family of engines, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six assisted by a mild hybrid system. The six-cylinders offer commendable performance, with the mild hybrid version estimated to scoot from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The Velar can also hold its own on the trails when equipped with the available Terrain Response 2 off-road driving system with selectable modes. Just don't expect it to hang with Defenders and traditional Range Rovers since it has less ground clearance and no low-range gearing.

For 2022, Land Rover makes a few more features standard, including heated front seats and the All Terrain Progress Control off-road cruise control system. Velar S and R-Dynamic S models also receive a traditional coil-spring suspension setup in place of the previous air suspension, in a bid to reduce cost. An air suspension is still available on the R-Dynamic S and comes standard on the HSE.

The Velar's competitors include the BMW X3, Porsche Macan and the Velar's mechanically related corporate cousin, the Jaguar F-Pace. It may be more expensive than its rivals after you load it up with options, but for those seeking a head-turning interior and exterior design, the Velar is tough to beat.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is available in three trim levels: S, R-Dynamic S and HSE. The S and R-Dynamic S can be had with your choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four (247 horsepower, 269 lb-ft of torque) or a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six (335 horsepower, 354 lb-ft). The HSE is available exclusively with the inline-six engine, which gets paired with a mild hybrid system for a boost to 395 horsepower and 405 lb-ft. All come paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Feature highlights include: