2021 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, 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's low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinct profile, setting it apart from the traditional Range Rover's upright stance. Despite its SUV nature, the Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end and short overhangs, which improved its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 predecessor, featuring high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that made occupants feel enveloped rather than perched on top.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover embraced its luxurious evolution from a rugged tool to a high-end SUV. Starting at $92,000, it offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with the potential to reach $250,000 with premium upgrades. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, showcased a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out pillars and clean lines. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models, it provided a satisfactory experience. The Range Rover's design drew inspiration from its heritage, much like a Porsche 911, offering a blend of modernity and classic appeal.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, 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, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive speed, 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 Dynamic Edition also included enhancements like bigger brakes, retuned four-wheel drive, and an active exhaust system, but it didn't fully transform the Velar into a performance SUV. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads. The rest of the powertrain lineup remained unchanged, with options including a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6. Off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, though the Velar lacked a low range and had road-focused wheel-and-tire combinations.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience. The Range Rover's adaptive air suspension ensured a comfortable ride, filtering road harshness and offering a classic wafting sensation. While the Range Rover excelled in comfort and luxury, it required a more measured approach on winding roads due to its weight and tall center of gravity. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, though the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg. The supercharged V8 variant offered 16 mpg city, 21 highway, and 18 combined.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, larger than compact luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar didn't offer more interior space, with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 providing more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, 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 visibility, creating a claustrophobic feel. The cockpit-like front seating area added to the cramped sensation, though the tall center console was easily accessible. Towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models rated at 5,511 pounds, while the base four-cylinder model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, though shorter passengers still faced challenges. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery, while the second row lacked comfort, with limited thigh support and a slouched seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered features like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with 25 cubic feet available with the seats up and 59.8 cubic feet with them folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

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, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system received praise for its high-quality graphics and layout but was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology was fully digital, with three displays offering numerous features and functions. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, was manageable for those familiar with smartphones and tablets. However, using the touchscreens while driving was distracting, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for digital owner’s manual access.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a low priority 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. Land Rover's offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional packages offered additional driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-centering assistance. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.