2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, had the advantage of a fresh design approach, unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish its signature look, characterized by a massive trapezoidal grille, Quad Lamp LED headlights, and elegant two-box design. The GV80's exterior was marked by its long hood, short front overhang, and large wheel arches, which housed 19-inch to 22-inch wheels. The rear design echoed the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 offered a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a 14.5-inch widescreen display, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a bridge-like center console with minimal controls, creating a luxurious and spacious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, drawing on Land Rover's long history of luxury SUVs. The Velar's design was a sporty adaptation of the classic Range Rover profile, with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a trapezoidal roof. Its exterior featured flush door handles, a sweptback fascia, and distinctive taillight lenses. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was stylish yet slightly cramped, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The infotainment system was improved with the Pivi Pro interface, offering a more user-friendly experience, although some design choices, like the parking brake control, were criticized.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V6 models came with standard all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models had rear-wheel drive with optional AWD. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's ride was enhanced by independent multi-link suspension, with the 3.5T models featuring electronically-controlled suspension with road preview. The 2.5T provided adequate power for most driving situations, while the 3.5T offered a smoother and more powerful experience. Fuel economy for the 2.5T was 21/25/23 mpg (city/highway/combined) with RWD, and 21/25/22 with AWD, while the 3.5T AWD was rated at 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing a plush "magic carpet" experience. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, offered 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque for the base S and R-Dynamic models, and 395 hp and 405 lb-ft for the R-Dynamic HSE. This powertrain included a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing performance and reducing emissions.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The center console and stack housed a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capability. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The second row was spacious for two adults, with power seats and window shades available. A third row was standard on 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, increasing passenger capacity to seven, with power-folding seats.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 49 cubic feet when folded. The Velar's design choices, like the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for being illogical and potentially dangerous. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the user experience with a simplified layout and faster operation. The Velar's interior featured high-quality materials, even in the base trim, with a polished black center stack and customizable instrument panel.

The 2021 Genesis GV80's infotainment system was a highlight, featuring a 14.5-inch HD screen with user-configurable split-screen displays, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was connected to the cloud for over-the-air updates and allowed individual user profiles. Android users could use a digital key function, while Genesis Connected Services offered a range of features, including remote start, vehicle health reports, and navigation. A head-up display and 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, and the Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system provided an exceptional listening experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a significant improvement, with a more logical layout and customizable home screen. The system included a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered intelligent route suggestions and off-road capabilities, while the 360-degree cameras provided a comprehensive view of the vehicle's surroundings. The instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, although the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings. The GV80 was equipped with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a range of advanced safety features, such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. Adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist were also included, along with Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. agencies, but a European-spec 2017 Velar scored five stars in Euro NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.