Range Rover Velar Is A Most-Capable, Diesel-Powered Art Gallery

I doubt anybody, when the original Range Rover was launched in 1970, thought of it as museum quality design.  I mean, it was a utilitarian vehicle for surveying one’s estate.  But, when the body is stretched, slammed, and streamlined, it becomes art – none more than the 2018 Range Rover Velar.

Museum Worthy Design

Designers performed a great job of keeping traditional Range Rover styling cues, but translating them for today.  Our HSE-grade wagon with R-Dynamic trim busts out with sinister gloss black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black accents for the faux hood vent, side trim, and mirror caps.  Even the RANGE ROVER font on the hood and bootlid are black.  Very cool. 

But, you still see a lot of Range Rover in the wide hood, squinty LED headlamps, gently sloping roofline, and tucked-in rump.  Check the doorhandles that power in flush to the body.  They’re cool, but I do worry about them freezing shut in snow and ice.

If you get stuck inside, you’ll be quite content as you’re surround by divine-smelling gallery.  You get all of the smooth Windsor leather you can sniff, but piano black and aluminum accents bring it forward.  A nearly full glass cockpit places two touchscreens in the console plus a flatscreen for instruments.  Tap into 825 watts of Meridian audio, navigation, four-zone climate control, electrically heated windshield, and seat functions:  Heat, cool, and front massage.    

Of course, the Velar comes with a full suite of crash avoidance technology that includes adaptive cruise, forward collision mitigation, lane keep assist, blind spot, and rear cross path detection systems.  A 360-degree camera watches all flanks while the semi-autonomous parking system can ease the Rover into parallel and perpendicular spots, then ease it back out again.

Road Worthy Performance

When I first started reading the specs, I saw “180 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder” and about threw down.  No way would that be enough power for something the size of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.  But, then I read on...and regathered composure.  Apparently this rolling sculpture was implanted with a diesel engine that sends 317 lb.-ft. of torque to the full-time all-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed automatic transmission.  Even better, it achieves 26/30-MPG city/highway.  It takes a firm foot to get it off the line, but once the turbo awakens, smiles grace faces. 

Serious off-roaders like the diesel’s torque, but the Velar is armed with some other technology to help owners get around their estates – or just to valet stands.  Land Rover’s Terrain Response System allows drivers to optimize the chassis, powertrain, and steering for Dynamic (sport), Eco (saves fuel), and Comfort (best all-around).  When hitting hill and dale, keep turning the dial for Grass, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Ruts, or Sand.  Pick your poison.

Every stylish queen needs a Range Rover.  Just ask QEII, who moves around her estates in Range Rovers (so do her handsome grandsons).  If she was a little bit younger, ever more stylish, and up on the latest technology, this would be her ride.  And, she could be forgiven for driving one right into her art gallery.  A base price of $49,900, or $70,095 as tested, places it beside the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, and Lexus GX.

Storm Forward!

Watch Casey’s video of the Range Rover Velar; follow him on YouTube and Twitter:  @AutoCasey.

2018 Range Rover Velar

• Five-passenger, AWD Crossover
• Powertrain: 180hp 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, 8-spd auto trans
• Output:  180hp, 317 lb.-ft. torque
• Wheels f/r: 20”/20” alloy
• Brakes f/r: disc/disc
• Suspension f/r:  elect. Ind/Ind
• Must-have features: Style, Capability
• Fuel economy: 26/30 mpg city/hwy
• Assembly: Solihull, UK
• Base/as-tested price: $49,900/70,095