REVIEW | Hybrid Range Rover Velar is a stylish blend of performance and green consciousness

Crossover SUVs are naturally a tall species and crafting a hot one can be problematic. But it can be voguish — as demonstrated by the recently enhanced Range Rover Velar. It’s the four-cylinder P400e Dynamic HSE hybrid model on test and it brings a new dimension of speed, frugality and green credentials to the fashionista range. 

It sparkles in areas where modern Range Rovers shine: digital suaveness. The interior is a touch-operated and voice-activated sanctuary with very efficient climate control. This car is decorated with the optional Deep Garnet/Ebony interior theme, which brings a regal air to the atmosphere, but personalisation options are vast.

The base price of the Velar Dynamic HSE is R2,096,700 but the options as fitted to the test car — including a contrast black roof and rails, a black exterior pack, surround camera, head-up display Terrain Response 2, active headlights, satin dark grey 21-inch wheels and black exterior pack — add about R90,000 to the price.

The driving position is reassuringly low on comfy and Windsor leather-wrapped seats, the front pair electrically operated. However, there is an awkwardness to views outside due to its relatively small glasshouse.

Front passengers get the lion’s share of room in the 2,874mm wheelbase. The rear quarters are good but not ideal if the front passengers are long-legged. The powered tail gate reveals 673l of space with the seats up, which is ample, and increases to a functional 1,731l when folded down.

There are four powertrain choices: two six-cylinder diesels, a 2.0l diesel four-cylinder and the plug-in hybrid with a 2.0l four-cylinder petrol as found in the test unit. The hulky fourth-generation Range Rover hinted that a four-cylinder in a big body was doable, while the smaller and newer Evoque P300e uses an even tinier 1.5l three-cylinder engine.

The drivetrain is complex and adjustable for different scenarios. Engine modes include Eco, Comfort and Sports for the transmission and the engine with a total system output of 297kW and 640Nm. It’s got lively performance, even in Save mode, where the engine propels the car exclusively while charging the battery.

It bullets off in hybrid mode, where the electric motor contributes its 105kW to the benefit of a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 209km/h. In handling, the Velar does a good job slicing through corners with confidence.

Buyers with an eye on economy will also be well served with its EV mode. The 19.2kWh battery can be charged from a wallbox and yields about 50km of pure electric range at speeds of up to 140km/h. Land Rover claims a low 2.2l/100km average for the car but I managed 8.3l/100km in mixed driving conditions.

The range of adjustability doesn’t end here. The Velar also has off-road modes and cameras, which I didn’t have the heart nor the terrain to explore. But in a previous life we took a Velar off road, where it proved worthy of the Range Rover badge, though it’s no Defender. I chose to settle down and put up with the Velar in creamy Comfort mode while a thumping and crisp Meridian sound system added to the cruise. 

Foibles? I’d like the wing mirrors to be a little larger for better surveying of the surrounds, and perhaps the steering wheel paddles could “click” better than their vague action. The reductive design, with the closest body shut lines yet, removes all dash-based buttons into a digital menu, so searching for items on the move is dicey. But you can bundle what you need in a single-action toggle on the multifunction steering wheel.    

These are small misgivings for what feels like a Range Rover that was challenging to make. To stuff luxury, family practicality, silkiness, velocity, mountaineering tools and the ability to transform into an EV at the touch of a button in such a lithe and handsome package couldn’t have been easy, but Land Rover has done it with aplomb.

Tech Specs

POWER TRAIN

Type: Four-cylinder petrol turbo hybrid

Capacity: 2.0l

Power: 297kW

Torque: 640Nm

TRANSMISSION

Type: Eight-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN

Type: All-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE

Top speed: 209km/h 

0-100km/h: 5.4 seconds (claimed)

Fuel consumption: 2.2l/100km (claimed); 8.3l/100km (as tested)

Emissions: 167g/km

STANDARD FEATURES

Cruise control, rear parking camera, lane-keep assist, stability control, ABS brakes, roll stability control, emergency brake assist, six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, dual-zone climate control, Matrix LED headlights with daytime running lights, powered tailgate, electrically adjustable front seats, navigation, rain-sensing wipers, all-wheel drive, EV mode, hill-descent control, Touch Duo Pro infotainment system with USB ports, Bluetooth

COST OF OWNERSHIP

Warranty: Five years vehicle/100,000km, eight years hybrid battery

Maintenance plan: Five years/100,000km 

Price: R2,202,700

Lease: R48,815 a month (at 11.75% interest over 60 months no deposit)

Range Rover Velar P400e Dynamic HSE

WE LIKE: Looks, performance, fuel economy

WE DISLIKE: Limited visibility out of windows

VERDICT: An alluring crossover package 

Star rating:

***** Design

**** Performance

**** Economy

**** Safety

**** Value For Money

**** Overall

COMPETITORS

Porsche Cayenne e-hybrid, 346kW/650Nm — R2,194,000

Mercedes-Benz EQE350 4Matic SUV, 215kW/765Nm — R2,194,500 

Jaguar F-Pace SVR, 405kW/700Nm — R2,197,400

BMW X4 M competition, 375kW/600Nm — R2,217,618

BMW iX xDrive50, 385kW/765Nm — R2,350,000

Maserati Levante GT, 243kW/450Nm — R2,350,000