2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Performance

The standard 247-hp four-cylinder engine in the Land Rover Range Rover Velar delivers only average performance. In this guise, the all-wheel-drive Land Rover Range Rover Velar's 0-60 mph time is 7.1 seconds, and the top speed is 135 mph. Much more agreeable performance comes from the optional 3.0-liter turbocharged six-pot with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. In this form, the Velar can hit 60 in 5.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. There are quicker luxury SUVs out there, but at least the 3.0L model feels at ease getting up to highway speeds quickly. The previous 335-hp six-cylinder engine is no longer available.

At 5,511 pounds, the towing capacity of the six-cylinder model is also better, although the difference here is less pronounced; the four-cylinder model can tow 5,291 lbs.

Now down to just two engine choices, the P250 powertrain is equipped to the S and the standard Dynamic SE. This engine in the AWD Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo that manages 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Even though that torque peak is available from a nice and low 1,300 rpm, this engine struggles with the weight of the Velar. Especially as speeds rise, overtaking maneuvers become a little more stressful than you'd want them to be, and the eight-speed automatic transmission can't overcome the P250's lack of grunt.

Far superior is the P400 powertrain with its 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder unit bolstered by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. With 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, this mill is not only silkier in everyday use but has the muscle to match the rest of the Velar driving experience. Like the P250, this model comes with the smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic.

The base four-cylinder Velar doesn't have the efficiency advantage one might expect, considering its lack of performance, and that's probably because it has to work a lot harder to move the Velar's body. This variant of the Range Rover Velar returns 22/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined, but to be fair, that's the same combined figure as the four-cylinder Mercedes GLE 350 4Matic.

The six-cylinder P400 powertrain's gas mileage drops to 19/25/21 mpg, so it's nearly as efficient as the P250 if you do a lot of faster highway driving. However, a rival like the six-cylinder BMW X5 manages a much better balance between performance and efficiency; it's just a tenth of a second slower to 60 mph yet gets 4 mpg more combined.

Equipped with a 21.6-gallon gas tank, the Range Rover Velar's gas mileage amounts to a range between 454 and 497 miles.