Kirill Ougarov from Automobile Magazine was invited to test drive a U.S. spec 2018 Range Rover Velar around Palm Springs, California, and he thinks it could prove to be a competent German rival. A conclusion supported by the fact that 85% of Velar customers are new to the Land Rover brand.

Perhaps what enticed these customers away from the German brands was the Velar’s sophisticated and luxurious design. Boasting what could be “the cleanest and prettiest expression of Range Rover’s contemporary design language”, the Velar has few lines and crease with retracting door handles amplifying that clean minimalist styling.

This theme carries on in the Velar’s cabin, which features two large touchscreens controlling most of the vehicle’s functions. There’s a few knobs installed in the center stack, but just the bare necessities and most of what you need can be found on the steering wheel.

Looks aside, all three engine options were tested that day and all had something different to offer drivers. There’s the fuel sipping Ingenium 2.0-liter turbo-four petrol unit, which can delivery a punchy 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Then there’s the one 2.0-liter turbo-four diesel option and though it lags behind with 180 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, the engine is quieter than one would expect from a diesel and it has some impressive fuel economy numbers, 26 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Most of their time was spent inside a petrol powered 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 with 380-hp and 332 lb-ft of torque propelling them through the tricky trails of the eastern San Bernardino Mountains. Its Terrain Response and All Terrain Progress Control systems will make the Velar a capable off-road vehicle for those who fancy a layer of brown.

Let us know what you think of the 2018 Range Rover Velar first drive review.

85% new purchaser rate is impressive for any brand. I think most buyers just sticks with what they know these days and don't branch out from a specific brand. This is not the norm as far as I know and good on range rover for doing so well. Though the Velar should be problem free when they sell them because customer retention is also important.

From the C&D review, when pitched against the Germans, it gets exposed


https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...h-model-review