Add another name to the list of vehicles I haven't driven until now. In the six years it's been on the market, I've never had the opportunity to drive a Range Rover Velar.
Situation rectified, as the folks at Jaguar Land Rover made sure I got a week in the newly-refreshed 2024 Velar.
There are four vehicles that wear the Range Rover (as opposed to Land Rover) badge: The compact Evoque , the midsize Velar, the slightly larger Range Rover Sport and then the Range Rover. They may differ in size, but not in mission. Each lives up to the luxury image of Range Rover.
Under the hood of the 2024 Range Rover Velar is a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder. 395 horsepower, 405 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, selectable drive modes, adaptive dynamics and torque vectoring. Sixty miles an hour from a standing start should be in the low-five-second range, and the EPA fuel economy estimate is 21 miles per gallon combined city/highway.
The base price of the 2024 Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE is $71,875 and it comes with a solid list of standard features, including 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and running lights, with auto-leveling and auto high beam assist, a sliding panoramic roof, rain-sensing wipers, rear privacy glass, auto-dimming driver's side exterior mirror, perforated grained leather seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, ambient lighting, keyless entry, pushbutton start, an 11.4-inch touchscreen and a 400-watt Meridian sound system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a comprehensive suite of active safety features.
Our test car also had some extra-cost options, including the Cold Climate Pack (heated windshield, headlight power was, heated and cooled front seats and heated rear seats) for $1,175, 21-inch dark grey wheels with diamond turned finish for $2,600, and a head-up display for $1,000.
The Varesine Blue paint color is $950, the black contrast roof $800, the black exterior pack $750, shadow grey ash veneer interior trim $460, a wheel protection pack $220, an emergency kit $75 and the "handover pack" (a box with your key fobs) $28.
Bottom line on the window sticker---$79,333.
For the blend of performance, luxury and features, that's actually a fair price, and one that keeps it competitive with other luxury vehicles.
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