2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The front end was rounded, and the rear tapered slightly, maintaining its SUV identity with a broad front end that appeared intimidating in rearview mirrors. Despite its performance car-like short overhangs, the Velar was equipped for off-roading with up to 9.8 inches of ground clearance. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier styling with larger air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and aerodynamic enhancements. Inside, the Velar boasted high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, in contrast, embraced a more traditional SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille. While its exterior was generic, it was clean and handsome, appealing to buyers seeking a classic SUV look. The Traverse differentiated its trim levels with styling details, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome accents on the High Country. It shared a platform with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6, but aimed for a more accessible feel. The interior mirrored the exterior's restrained styling, with an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof as a standout feature. While materials were decent, they didn't quite match the Traverse's price tag. Despite this, the Traverse offered a comfortable ride with good highway manners, though it lacked the agility of some competitors on twisty roads.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a 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 these impressive figures, the Velar was not the quickest in its class. The Dynamic Edition also included bigger brakes, retuned four-wheel drive, and an active exhaust system, enhancing its performance credentials. 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 and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 available. As a Land Rover, the Velar was equipped with off-road tech, including Terrain Response and All-Terrain Progress Control, but its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse excelled in highway comfort, with a quiet cabin and bump-absorbing suspension. However, it lacked agility on twisty roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation and didn't fully utilize its torque vectoring capabilities. The Traverse offered off-road and tow/haul drive modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which was average for the segment.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering a unique size that felt larger on the road but didn't translate to more interior space. It had competitive cargo space, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, including a chopped roof, limited headroom and created a claustrophobic interior feel. Visibility was also a challenge, despite a 360-degree camera system. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. It excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was available, and higher trims featured a gesture-activated liftgate. Despite its size, the Traverse was limited in interior storage options, a common trait among midsize three-row crossovers. While it offered practicality, a minivan would be a better choice for maximizing space.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. While the system had high-quality graphics, it suffered from slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a Bose audio system. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. While it lacked a digital instrument cluster, the analog setup was functional. The Traverse also offered a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility. USB ports were standard for all rows, but wireless charging was limited to higher trims.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as options. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, it had mixed ratings for headlights and LATCH anchor ease of use. The Traverse offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking available as options.