The New Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a stylish, refined and seriously appealing large SUV. If you keep to small wheels, it’s a comfy companion while our favoured trim gets plenty of kit. It’s best to stick to the cheaper trims and engines.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The engine is a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that is well behaved enough . We sampled a four-cylinder Velar for a 40,000 mile long-term test, and that model required 7.4 seconds to hit 100 km/h. Much like the Velar’s acceleration, its handling is by no means sporty. The suspension competently controls the SUV’s body motions and keeps body roll in check while returning a firm, well-managed ride. Models equipped with the available air suspension can raise and lower their ride height for either more dynamic moves on-road or greater dexterity off it.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA has rated the Velar’s the turbocharged four-cylinder is slightly more efficient, with ratings of 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. In our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, the four-cylinder Velar delivered just 26 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Dig modern architecture? You’ll probably like the Velar’s simple interior, rendered largely from horizontal lines and bold rectilinear forms. Oh, and the materials used throughout are high quality and deployed in interesting ways. Take the door trim: Instead of using a spear of wood or carbon fiber inlaid into the upper part of the door panels, Land Rover adds the owner’s choice of wood or metal into the section of the door between the upper and lower panels. Our test vehicle featured aluminum trim, and every Velar has excellent detailing throughout. The Velar’s generally boxy shape and visually pleasing rear overhang—bodywork that extends behind the rear wheels—combine to swallow more carry-on suitcases than its immediate competitors with its rear seats up or folded. We fit 10 of our carry-ons behind the rear seats and 23 with all seats folded.