2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar P400 Dynamic SE Review – The Elegant Alternative

Where once there existed but a single model, Land Rover’s Range Rover lineup could now serve as a standalone brand with four models in the stable. Of course, many people have long looked upon the Range Rover brand as being separate from Land Rover just the same. The subject of this review—the 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE—is considered a compact crossover SUV and slots into the Range Rover lineup just above the ”entry level” Evoque and below the Range Rover Sport. This, in turn, resides just below THE Range Rover. Land Rover Range Rover Velar P400 Dynamic SE’s pricing starts at $70,600 for the 2024 model year. The price as tested for the version I drove is $79,933.

2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar P400 Dynamic SE First Impressions

Perhaps it’s the familial resemblance to the full-sized Range Rover, or maybe it’s an optical illusion fomented by the design, but the Velar has far too much presence to be considered a “compact crossover” SUV—in my opinion. From the crisp lines that taper gently toward the rear, to the classic Range Rover front end, to those tastefully sculpted doors—the Velar’s appearance is too elegant for my brain to apply the term ”compact crossover.”

At the risk of coming across as somewhat elitist, that term should be applied to vehicles with far less storied pedigrees. In other words, the Range Rover Velar looks way too classy to be lumped into that category. For the 2024 model year, Land Rover endowed Velar with a new grille treatment, updated exterior lighting instruments and a revised rear bumper. The result keeps the classic design fresh.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

The P400 powertrain fitted to “my” Velar featured a 395-horsepower, turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter DOHC inline six. This was teamed with a 48-volt hybrid system. The rated torque output is 405 lb-ft. and all four wheels are fed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A paragon of sophistication, the powertrain is smooth, quiet, and propels the compact Range Rover with authority.

Handling is similarly competent, if not exactly sporty. Ride quality is good and body motions are restrained. All in all, the Velar delivers a nice balance between an excellent ride and reasonably competent handling.

Performance Specifications

Land Rover Range Rover Velar Fuel Economy

The Feds say you can expect 19 MPG in the city, 25 on the highway and 21 combined. Those estimates proved spot on, as I averaged 22.7 MPG overall in a mix of city, highway and gravel driving. Like the Velar’s dynamics, I found this acceptable, if not exactly world beating.

Interior Design And Comfort

Minimalism is the order of the day inside the Range Rover Velar. Clean lines, limited switchgear and an abundance of rectilinear shapes give the cabin a thoroughly modern appearance. “Cluttered” is a word that will never apply to this interior treatment. In fact, with the vehicle switched off, all of its screens dark, and the center console doors closed, the Velar’s dash treatment looks almost stark.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

An 11.4-inch touchscreen, which appears to float above the dash, provides an interface for practically all the Velar’s comfort, convenience and entertainment features. Land Rover’s Pivi Pro operating system underpins all the features, while keeping everything working in harmony behind the screen.

Some people feel the Velar relies upon the touchscreen too heavily. However, the tradeoff is an exceptionally clean interior design. I like the appearance enough to forgive that. Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, voice control, a Meridian audio system, navigation, and CarPlay/Android compatibility are all standard.

Cargo And Storage Space

Cargo capacity is more generous than that sleek rear end treatment might lead you to believe. Moreover, if you opt for the air suspension package, you can lower the Velar slightly to make loading and unloading cargo easier. You’ll find 34.4 cubic feet of carrying space behind the second row. That’s more than enough to accommodate the luggage of a family of four. Fold the second row away, and you’ll have 70.7 cubic feet.

2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar P400 Vs. Its Competitors

As nice as the Land Rover Range Rover Velar is, the handsome crossover lags behind the top two models in this category by a considerable margin. Porsche’s Macan delivers similar levels of luxury—paired with the performance potential you’d expect from any automobile wearing a Porsche badge. Meanwhile, Genesis has stacked so much goodness on top of goodness in the GV70; you’ll do yourself a disservice if you don’t at least give it a look before you make a purchase decision in this segment of the marketplace.

How The Land Rover Range Rover Velar P400 Compares To The Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD

With a price point starting at $58,300, the Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD represents an outstanding value. What’s more, the degree of refinement and style you’ll experience will leave you astonished. Settling behind the wheel of a GV70, it’s easy to believe the compact crossover costs some $20,000 more than its maker demands. Which, by the way, is right about where the base prices of the other two models listed here start.

The 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged DOHC six-cylinder version of the GV70 makes 375 horsepower. All four wheels are fed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Handling, while not up to the standards of the Porsche, is more entertaining than that of the Velar.

Meanwhile, the fashion forward interior treatment is an amalgamation of fine materials, handsome lines and good ergonomics. What’s more, you’ll find every contemporary luxury feature you’d expect in a car in this category. Again, Genesis could easily demand its customers pony up an additional $20k over what it asks for the GV70.

How The Land Rover Range Rover Velar P400 Compares To The Porsche Macan S AWD

Where the Velar leans more toward luxury than sport and the GV70 bridges the divide between the two, the Porsche Macan is decidedly sport-oriented. In fact, the Porsche compact crossover would give more than a few highly regarded sport sedans serious runs for their money.

While the top spec Macan GTS boasts 434 horsepower, we’re comparing like for like here. To that end, the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged DOHC V6 in the Macan S AWD makes 375 horsepower. The Porsche is tuned to deliver abundant road holding, sharp steering and outstanding braking.

On the other hand, you’ll get more cargo capacity from both the Velar and the GV70. They’ll also accommodate rear seat passengers more readily. But those shortcomings will be all but forgotten when you’re ripping along your favorite twisty two-lane.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

I love to drive, so the Porsche would be the one that “followed me home” when I had to explain to Mrs. Me why we have yet another Porsche establishing its claim to space in our garage. The good news is she likes the Macan too, so there would be no dissent with which to deal. Of course, that’s also a function of our empty nest lifestyle on display here.

Meanwhile, pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the smart buy here is the Genesis. It combines much of the performance of the Porsche with practicality, as well as the elegance of the Range Rover—at a far lower price than you’d pay for the Macan or the Velar. However, the Genesis does lack the cachet of the Range Rover and the Porsche, which can be a big deal for some people. After all, you don’t have to offer any justification if you say ”Range Rover” or “Porsche” when someone asks what you drive. This cannot be said of Genesis—yet.

So, what it really comes down to is what matters to you the most. If you love to drive, and compromising isn’t a word with which you’re familiar, the Porsche is the choice. If you like saving money, while getting as much of the best of all worlds as possible—and don’t care what people think — go with Genesis. For everyone else, the Land Rover Ranger Rover Velar would be more than sufficient. Oh, and one more thing — the Velar is the only one of the three with genuine offroad ability.