RANGE FINDER
The Range Rover Velar 2.0 P250 Dynamic HSE proves you don’t have to go home just because you didn’t go big
There never used to be any question when you mentioned “Range Rover” because to many folks, there is just the Range Rover for all your stealth wealth urges. Of course, we are referring to the OG, oversized, anti-fashion model — the plush and lush 4x4 that pretty much defined the genre of luxury off-roaders when it was launched over 50 years ago.
These days, other models under Range Rover’s big umbrella work their magic downstream. These include the entry-level Evoque (also the smallest of the range), the Range Rover Sport and the Velar, its gorgeous counterpart we tested that was recently updated with minor nips and tucks.
Most notable among the updates is a new front grille, which gives the svelte Velar a modern, minimalist (or “reductive” as the brand calls it) air, especially in combination with the model’s characteristic “floating” roof and familiar retractable door handles.
If you find the full-fat Range Rover too big and the Evoque too small, the Velar could be the sweet spot in terms of size, silhouette and specifications. It does not have its big brother’s imposing stature, but the Velar cuts a sleek and elegant figure as it eases its way through traffic.
The turbocharged 2.0-litre produces 250hp and 365Nm, with a nice wave of torque to ride on from just 1,300rpm. This translates to spritely performance from a standstill, which is no mean feat given the Velar’s two-tonne kerb weight.
Even if it is no performance track star, the Velar never feels laggardly as the 8-speed automatic gearbox’s well-spaced ratios bring the stylish 4x4 briskly to cruising speed.
As with its big brother, a lot of the Velar’s magic lies in the tranquillity of the cabin, especially given the supple nature of its well-damped suspension. It is more contemporary comfort than old-world opulent, with the occupants ensconced in a sophisticated refuge that helps detract from the drudge of the daily commute.
The hushed progress is not your imagination either because the Velar employs an Active Road Noise Cancellation technology, which is touted to reduce interior noise levels by a minimum of 4dB.
The physical controls have mostly gone — leaving only the stubby gear selector — with the car’s driving, comfort and convenience features accessed via the central “floating” 11.4-inch Pivi Pro curved glass touchscreen.
These migrations from physical to touchscreen tend to be cyclical. Some brands bring them back after they discover — through customer feedback or real-world test use — that certain essential functions should be controlled by physical buttons.
The minimalist look is chic but finding an exact position on a slippery touchscreen while travelling on roads far from perfectly smooth can be distracting — worst if you have ventured off-road and cannot afford to look away from the road.
So far, we have found that the touchscreen on the Maserati Grecale is a masterclass in UX and has been intuitive enough to use without taking one’s eyes off the road.
As a brand with such a rich heritage, we’ve always felt that Range Rover’s evergreen cachet and appeal transcend fashion and the hype brigade, especially given its instantly recognisable design, regardless of model.
People love the big Rangie because it is anti-cool and anti-establishment. With no real substitute, the OG pretty much sells itself and it is now available in all-electric guise to boot, which only adds to its waft-worthy performance.
Further downstream though — like in the cases of the Evoque and this Velar for instance — its models often face competition from the usual suspects: BMW, MercedesBenz, Audi, Porsche et al.
However, the reality is, that when you are looking for a Range Rover, you are never really looking for anything else.