Used Range Rover Velar 2017-present review

The Range Rover Velar name dates back to the late '60s: engineers hid the true identity of pre-production, original Range Rovers using the Velar title, which was derived from the Latin ‘velare’ – meaning to veil or cover.

Nowadays, the Velar isn't a red herring but rather an extremely stylish family SUV in its own right. It also bridges the gap between the smaller Range Rover Evoque and larger Range Rover Sport. Its popularity means there are now plenty of examples on the used market, often at temptingly low prices.

Engines and performance: If you want a petrol engine in your Velar, you get a choice of either a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol – in the 247bhp P250 and 296bhp P300 – or a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine in the 375bhp P380. There was also a supercharged 5.0-litre P550 and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) P400e.

In terms of diesels, there's the 2.0-litre four-cylinder in the 178bhp D180 and 237bhp D240, and the 3.0-litre V6 in the 296bhp D300. The four-cylinder diesels can be a bit rattly when cold but quieten down a little when warm, while the V6 engines are smooth and quite brisk.

In 2021, mild hybrid engines were introduced across the range, including a new straight-six petrol and diesel engine for the P400 and D300. These replaced the older V6 units.

While the D180's 0-62mph time of 8.9sec won't get you foaming at the mouth, it's solid enough in the mid-range to get you going easily in town or on a motorway. If you can afford it, though, the D300 is nicer, with more mid-range oomph.

The most powerful of the petrols (setting aside the uber-fast and rare P550) is the P300, with 296bhp. It's quick flat out, but there's less shove lower down than the diesels provide so you need to work it much harder. The lower-powered 247bhp P250 petrol version needs even more of a work-out but still delivers its power smoothly.

Ride and handling: The ride varies depending on which suspension and alloy wheel option you have. Four-cylinder models with traditional springs work best with the smallest 19in alloy wheels as the ride can get quite fidgety on rough, pockmarked roads.

Air suspension is standard on six-cylinder models and has settings to suit your mood. Comfort mode has a pleasant, wafty ride while Dynamic stiffens things up to improve the handling if you want to up the pace.

Interior and practicality: Buttons are mainly a thing of the past in the Velar because the dashboard is made up of two touchscreens. You get two rotary control dials on the lower screen – which deal with climate and driving modes – to control various functions depending on what is shown on the display. The screen above looks after sat-nav and media-related functions.

SE and above Velars get a 12.3in configurable driver display, which includes the speedo and rev counter. It’s similar to Audi’s virtual cockpit except it’s not quite as slick. One major technology omission on pre-2019 models is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring – there is a Land Rover app that gives you some mirroring capabilities but it’s awkward to use.

In 2024, a new 11.4in touchscreen infotainment system was introduced, called Pivi Pro. It's generally easy to use, with a quick response and sharp graphics, but unfortunately almost everything – including the climate controls – are operated through it, so it's a little cluttered. More physical controls on the lower dash would make it easier to use.

Space in the front of the Velar is fine, even for taller drivers. You get a lofty driving position that gives you a great view out over the road ahead. Things are not so good in the back, though. Head room is fine but leg room isn’t brilliant for those that are very tall.

For the class, the boot is a little subpar – we managed to fit eight suitcases below the parcel shelf. There is a flexible 40/20/40-split folding rear-seat bench, though.

Trims and equipment: There's a wide variety of trims to choose from. On earlier cars, there's S, SE and HSE, which are mirrored by R-Dynamic versions that give you different alloy wheel designs, sportier front and rear bumpers and black trim.

S is really well equipped. It includes 19in alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather upholstery, 14-way electrically adjustable front seats (with driver memory), heated front seats, a 10-speaker Meridian sound system and a powered tailgate.

SE adds a few more extras, including 20in alloys, matrix LED headlights (that dip the full beam to block out oncoming cars), a digital driver's display, a gesture-operated tailgate and an upgraded 16-speaker Meridian sound system. Meanwhile, HSE comes with 21in rims, electric steering wheel adjustment, upgraded leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.

Towards the top end, there's Autobiography, which is kitted out with message seats, heated and cooling functions for the front seats, plus four-zone climate control.

Facelift: The Velar has had two updates throughout its life. The first was in 2021, where mild hybrid engines and a revised infotainment system were added.

In 2024, there was a more comprehensive facelift, with a revised grille design and sleeker LED headlights and taillights. The interior was also heavily updated, with a new infotainment system and a minimalist dashboard that removed physical buttons. The engine line-up remained largely unchanged, other than a bigger battery for the P400e PHEV.

"The interior of the 2024 facelift Velar looks really smart, but I do think it's a shame there are no physical controls. There isn't even a volume knob, so the passenger has to use the touchscreen to adjust the audio." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

Interested in buying a used Range Rover Velar? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Used Range Rover Velar prices start at around £14,000 for a 2017 diesel model with roughly 70,000 miles on the clock. Petrol versions typically start from around £18,000, while plug-in hybrid models command closer to £22,000, although these are generally 2021-onwards cars.

Expect to pay from around £22,000 for a 2022 Velar, rising to at least £25,000 for a 2023 model. Prices for 2024 cars start at approximately £35,000, while 2025 models cost upwards of £40,000.

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MPG

Fuel economy for the diesel models isn’t terrible, and makes up for some of the expense of running a Velar. The base D180 version manages the best combined figure of the range at 52.5 mpg, or 42mpg under the later, more realistic WLTP tests. The more powerful D240 gets 48.7 mpg (41.1mpg), while the top D300 manages 44.1 mpg (38mpg).

The petrol engines aren’t as cost-effective to run, sadly. The P250 has a combined figure of 37.2 mpg (30.8mpg), the mid-range P300 is rated for 36.2 mpg (29.8mpg), and the high-performance P380 gets 30.1 mpg.

Road tax

All versions of the Range Rover Velar cost more than £40,000 when new and will be subject to the £440 surcharge for the most expensive cars. You’ll have to continue paying the surcharge for years two to six. That's on top of the flat-rate fee, which is currently £200 per year.

You can find out more information about current road tax costs here.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance is likely to be expensive – but that's true of a lot of premium SUVs.

Land Rover servicing isn’t cheap, with prices for the first five services ranging from £374.74 to £601.15 depending on the work being carried out. Plenty of Velar owners bought a service plan when the car was new to keep a lid on their costs. The plan covers the first five services and is transferable to the next owner, so it’s worth checking if the car you’re looking at comes with one.

Reliability

The Range Rover Velar offers a mixed ownership experience, according to real-world owner reviews analysed as part of our annual What Car? Reliability Survey. Electrical glitches are a common headache, with drivers reporting everything from blank infotainment screens to faulty reversing cameras. Mechanical gremlins also pop up, including noisy suspension parts and minor engine sensor issues. While some cars have been completely trouble-free, dealing with Land Rover's official network can be a gamble. Many owners faced long waiting times for parts and pricey out-of-warranty bills.

Want the full picture? Head to our dedicated used Range Rover Velar reliability page to find out more.

Engine

The Velar is a heavy car, even though it’s made of aluminium. As such, we’d recommend the more effortless performance of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder D300 diesel. Its low-down torque has little trouble getting the car moving and it has plenty of power for faster roads. Plus, it still offers respectable fuel economy and the benefits of air suspension.

Trim

S is our preferred trim. Examples are reasonably priced, yet it gets a good amount of kit, including a reversing camera, an electric tailgate, upgraded stereo, leather seats and sat-nav. It also comes on the smaller 19in alloy wheels which are better for ride quality.

Our favourite Range Rover Velar: 3.0 D300 S

The Porsche Macan is a great used buy. It sits among the best SUVs for driving pleasure, with accurate, well-weighted steering and plenty of grip. The engines are first rate, too. While it's not the most spacious or practical option, the interior is very well made. Reliability is looking good, according to the What Car? Reliability Survey, but it is an expensive choice.

The Jaguar F-Pace, which is a close relative of the Velar, is a good alternative. It's fun to drive and reasonably practical, plus there are plenty of examples available on forecourts for a competitive price. The engine line-up is similar to the Velar, with petrol, diesel and PHEV options. Reliability isn't as bad as Jaguar's record might suggest.

The BMW X3 is a good all-rounder. It has a smart, high-quality interior, a user-friendly infotainment system and a good reliability record. It’s also enjoyable to drive, though, like the F-Pace and Macan, it isn’t quite as comfortable as the Velar. Used examples are competitively priced.

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Interested in buying a used Range Rover Velar? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.