2020 Range Rover Velar Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

With an upscale interior, classic Range Rover design elements, and a range of capable engines, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar stands out as a solid choice in the luxury SUV market. It has a spacious cabin and many amenities that can keep passengers happy, and it also has some strong components that give it the ability to venture off the beaten path.

What's New for 2020?

The biggest difference about the 2020 model year is that there is now the opportunity to drive the SV Autobiography Dynamic Edition. With over 500 horsepower, its abilities are far and beyond those of the other models in the Velar line-up, and it's definitely a vehicle that feels in command of the road. The trade-off to adding this trim is that the diesel model is no longer available.

There have been some smaller changes to the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar as well. The base Velar models now benefit from having more driver-assist systems, and exterior paint choices have expanded to include Eiger Grey and Carpathian Grey.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar – The Pros

1. So Many Options

With the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, there are numerous things to think about. First of all, there are three models: the Velar, R-Dynamic, and SV Autobiography Dynamic Edition. As one progresses through the models, more and more features are included both in terms of form and function.

Further, the Velar base model comes with two engine options. The R-Dynamic S trim comes with those same two engines, and there is another R-Dynamic trim - the HSE - that comes with an even more powerful engine. On top of that, there are many options that can be added on if anyone wants to further upgrade his or her SUV with things like advanced technology, a higher quality sound system, or more luxurious front seats.

2. Four Engines

Starting things off is the 2.0-liter i4 Turbocharged engine in the Velar and R-Dynamic models. It has 247 horsepower to give the SUV an agile feel, and it has 269 pound-feet of torque. With this engine, the Velar can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in less than six and a half seconds. Acceleration to 60 mph is cut to just over six seconds when the Velar is outfitted with a 3.0-liter, 340-horsepower V6 engine. It has 332 pound-feet of torque.

The R-Dynamic HSE and SV models each have their own exclusive engines. The HSE runs on a 3.0-liter V6 that has been tweaked to have 380 horsepower. It can hit 60 mph in a little more than five seconds, so its improved acceleration is noticeable.

It'll be hard to find anything to match the performance of the SV Autobiography Dynamic Edition. It runs on a V8 engine with a displacement of five liters, and it has numbers one might expect from a heavy-duty truck or muscle car, with 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.

3. Unique Door Handles

Some of the reasons why Range Rovers are so attractive are their stylistic elements and streamlined appearance. Helping in this regard on the Velar are sleek exterior door handles. They're positioned flush with the door when not in use. In addition to looking cool and making the Velar stand out from the rest of the SUV pack, they also have a function. They can reduce wind noise and improve the aerodynamic aspect of the body shape.

4. Cabin is Quiet

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar has been built with an acoustic laminated windshield. This lowers the amount of exterior noise that can enter the cabin, and it results in a very peaceful atmosphere. Whether one is driving over a rocky mountain trail on a windy day or cruising down a highway, the ride can be pleasant.

5. Ready to Tow

If large cargo needs to be transported, the Velar should be able to handle it. The SUV can tow over 5,000 pounds, which is an admirable ability for a vehicle that's not a truck. With Trailer Stability Assist, the Velar can make necessary adjustments to make sure that the SUV stays in control of its trailer. It does so by gently reducing engine power and putting pressure on the brakes. If the situation calls for it, such as when the trailer is swaying, brake pressure can be applied to only a particular side of the vehicle.

6. Trail Ready

All-wheel drive is standard on the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar. With features like Low Traction Launch and Electronic Traction Control, the Velar can tackle a variety of terrain. Range Rover's Terrain Response system can be used to help the vehicle get ready for snow, sand, or rocks. The standard system allows drivers to select from different driving modes, and the available Terrain Response 2 system selects those driving modes on its own, depending on what type of information it receives from the vehicle.

7. Good Cargo Space

The cargo area behind the second row of seats is quite roomy. It has 34.4 cubic feet of space to accommodate all kinds of items. The second row has a 40/20/40 configuration, so one, two, or all three seats can be lowered to open up more storage opportunities. When the entire row is folded down flat, cargo capacity is 61.1 cubic feet. It only takes a second to lower the seats using release levers in the cargo area.

8. Don't Need a Key

Available on the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is an Activity Key. This key is actually a wristband that can be used instead of a key fob to lock and unlock the Velar. It would be an attractive feature to anyone who runs, bikes, hikes, or is active in other ways and wants to eliminate the need to carry a key fob in his or her pocket. It's easy to use, and it allows the key fob to be safely stored inside the cabin while the driver goes out on an adventure.

9. Built-in Navigation

In addition to having a variety of infotainment features like Bluetooth, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and two 10-inch touchscreens, the Range Rover Velar has Navigation Pro as part of its standard benefits. Not only can this program route drivers around traffic jams when asked to, but it can automatically update people with traffic information based on the routes that are regularly taken. No longer are the days when unexpected road delays can cause inconveniences.

10. Parking is a Breeze

The Velar has a standard 360-degree parking aid system. It uses sensors placed all around the vehicle to give drivers a better sense of how close they're getting to other vehicles and obstacles around parking spaces. The available 360-degree camera can be very useful when making a difficult maneuver. Taking things one step further is the available Park Assist function. With this technology, the SUV can park itself into either a parallel or perpendicular spot.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar – The Cons

1. Pricey Base Model and Expensive Upgrades

Expect to pay a lot for the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar. The base model starts out above $55,000, and it only goes up from there. If anyone is interested in the best of what the Velar has to offer, there is the SV Autobiography Dynamic Edition, which is priced at over $90,000. With certain options included, the vehicle could have a price tag of more than $100K.

2. Not Very Fuel Efficient

When equipped with the 2.0L engine, the Velar gets an estimated 23 (combined) miles per gallon. The V6 models can earn about 20 miles per gallon, and the SV trim can only travel approximately 17 miles on each gallon. These numbers aren't stellar and could be a detriment if any potential customers are concerned about gas mileage.

3. Adaptive Cruise Control Not Standard

For some reason, a few of the lower trims of the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar don't come with adaptive cruise control. They do come with a slew of other driver-assist features, so one would think that Land Rover would incorporate an advanced cruise control system into them. The lack of this feature is surprising, especially considering that it's becoming much more widespread even in much cheaper vehicles.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

The luxury SUV market seems to be constantly evolving to meet the high expectations of consumers. The Porsche Macan and Audi Q5 are two similar competitors to the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, and they offer many of the same amenities. Where they don't reach the levels of the Velar is in performance, especially when the SV Autobiography Dynamic Edition is thrown into the mix. The Velar has more cargo space than both the Porsche and Audi, and many would argue that it's better equipped to handle rugged terrain than these models.

Conclusion

If anyone is interested in driving an SUV that has excellent off-road capability along with a refined interior, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar will likely be a vehicle that will make an impression. Its style is distinct and sophisticated, it comes with so many convenient features, and it has performance stats to brag about. Horsepower starts out at around 250, jumps up into the 300s, and tops out at an amazing 550. These numbers illustrate Range Rover's commitment to quality, and the Velar won't leave anyone disappointed.