2020 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style and functionality, positioning itself between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a distinct profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar's rounded front and slightly tapered rear added to its modern aesthetic, while its broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rover SUVs. Despite its sleek appearance, the Velar was equipped for off-roading, boasting short overhangs for better approach and departure angles and up to 9.8 inches of ground clearance with the air suspension raised.

Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 predecessor, featuring high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim. The cabin was designed to create a cockpit-like feel, with a tall, sloping instrument panel and door panels. However, the Velar's avant-garde styling came at the cost of interior space, with limited headroom and a somewhat cramped front seating area. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier styling touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its dynamic appeal.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover, on the other hand, was a testament to luxury and capability, rooted in its origins as a rugged off-roader. Introduced in 2012, the current-generation Range Rover offered a variety of trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, with both standard and long wheelbase options. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, while optional features ranged from heated rear seats to a 19-speaker Meridian audio system.

The Range Rover's interior was spacious and comfortable, with the LWB version offering even more room. Cargo space was generous, with up to 77.5 cubic feet available in the LWB model. The Range Rover's two-piece power liftgate added convenience, while the center-console compartment and door storage provided ample space for small items. The Range Rover's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, making it a top choice for those seeking luxury and versatility.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration.

The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, while the Dynamic Edition's upgrades improved speed, body control, and braking. However, the Velar's chassis felt less sharp than other performance SUVs, and its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup remained unchanged, with a base 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 247 hp, and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 available with either 340 hp or 380 hp. The Velar also featured Land Rover's Terrain Response system, offering various drive modes for different surfaces, although its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse selection of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured the same engine without the hybrid system, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 engine was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while a plug-in hybrid powertrain offered a combined 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque with an electric range of 19 miles.

The range-topping SV Autobiography Dynamic trim featured a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to produce 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, providing exhilarating acceleration. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover's electronic air suspension and automatic load leveling ensured a comfortable ride, while its off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Terrain Response System, offering multiple drive modes for various conditions.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in the luxury SUV market, being larger than compact SUVs like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, yet smaller than midsize models like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as some competitors, with the GLC offering more front and rear legroom, and the X3 providing more headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior.

The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models rated to tow 5,511 pounds, while the base four-cylinder model could tow 5,291 pounds. A trailer-sway assist feature was standard, enhancing its practicality for towing.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB). Both versions provided standard seating for five, with the option of second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to four but enhancing comfort. The SWB model offered 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model provided 77.5 cubic feet. The Range Rover's two-piece power liftgate added convenience, and the center-console compartment and door storage provided ample space for small items.

The Range Rover's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with features like a hands-free power liftgate and a unique two-piece configuration making it easy to load large items. The front and rear doors offered decently sized cargo compartments and cupholders, enhancing its functionality for everyday use.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which included dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a built-in WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system's high-quality graphics and menu layout were praised, but its slow response times were a drawback.

The Velar also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, which complemented the minimalist cabin design. However, the system's reliance on digital screens meant that users had to rely on the tech for most functions, which could be challenging given its lag issues.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover also featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, with the top screen operating navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen managed climate controls, seat controls, and vehicle settings. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu, providing a unique user experience. However, the system's reliance on digital screens meant that users had to rely on the tech for most functions, which could be challenging given its lag issues.

The Range Rover also came standard with a fully digital instrument panel, which could be customized using steering wheel controls. A head-up display was available, providing additional convenience for drivers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles like the Velar were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package, which also raised the speed threshold for automatic emergency braking. However, the Velar's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than some competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with a solid list of standard safety features, including low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Additional standard features included traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and a full array of front-and-side-impact airbags. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Range Rover also offered a system that alerted rear-seat passengers when it was safe to exit the vehicle.

While the Range Rover's standard safety features were comprehensive, some competitors offered more advanced systems as standard equipment. The 360-degree camera and front-and-rear parking sensors were particularly helpful for maneuvering the large SUV in tight spaces.