by Aiden Eksteen
SUVs and crossovers are some of the most popular vehicles in the USA right now and the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar parades itself as a glamorous and high-end 5-door compact SUV to stand out from the hordes of mostly ordinary crossovers. Along with its distinct aesthetic, it also carries a commanding presence that just further strokes the confidence and ego of the driver and their passengers. The base engine, however, a 247 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4 unit, offers weak performance and makes the Velar feel rather timid, something that can quickly be fixed by opting in the 3.0-liter twin-turbo-V6 mild-hybrid unit. This is offered in two states of tune - 335 hp/354 lb-ft of torque or 395 hp/405 lb-ft. At a starting price of $56,900, you'd certainly want to do more than just read the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velars review before spending money on it, go give it a test drive.
The 2021 Range Rover Velar continues as part of the first-generation Velar line and remains mostly unchanged, except for two noteworthy updates. The first is that the supercharged 3.0-liter inline-6 gas engine is retired and replaced with a new twin-charged and hybridized variant on the P340 and P400 trim levels. The other important change is the ditching of the old infotainment system's software in favor of Land Rover's much more up-to-date Pivi Pro interface. There are smaller changes, too, like the addition of noise-canceling tech to aid refinement and the discontinuation of the V8 SVAutobiography model. Finally, minor changes have been made to the standard and optional features and fewer paint colors are available in 2021.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P250 S |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$56,900 |
| P250 R-Dynamic S |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$58,900 |
| P340 S |
3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$63,900 |
| P340 R-Dynamic S |
3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$65,900 |
| P400 R-Dynamic HSE |
3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$76,900 |
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
Buyers seeking a vehicle like the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar SUV are primarily concerned with the prestige and image elicited by the premium, high-end design and extravagance packed within them and don't necessarily worry about whether they're actually good cars or great value for the money. The Velar's pros and cons are still worth going over, nonetheless. It's undoubtedly a good-looking vehicle; its premium standing shines through and its rugged SUV design has it exude a commanding presence on the road. It delivers a genuinely luxurious ride quality and is impressively capable off-road, too. The base engine may be underpowered for the Velar's size and heft, but the new inline-6 is just fine and easily attainable with a step up to one of the higher trims. Creature comforts, conveniences, and advanced driver-assist and safety features are otherwise plentiful throughout the lineup, and there are numerous unique customisation options available. Sadly, there is no official safety rating to put your mind at ease. The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's price may be a straight kick to the tenders for the average Joe, but for those who want to flex their financial superiority, it's the perfect way to blow some surplus dolla dolla bills.
When it comes down to it, the Range Rover Velar SUV is all about extravagance, so you'll be paying a premium even if you go for the entry-spec model. But, as the saying goes, either go big or go home. Therefore, you may as well go all in and aim straight for the R-Dynamic HSE. It comes with the most powerful engine of the lot, the 3.0-liter P400 MHEV, which delivers far better acceleration responses over the weaker engines and with only an insignificant decrease in fuel efficiency. And of course, as the top-spec model, the HSE also comes standard with everything the Velar range has to offer this year in terms of premium cosmetics and luxury features.
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