If the Range Rover is the financial statement of a vehicle in Land Rover’s ever-growing catalog, then the Velar is a fashion statement. Everything about the Velar’s existence comes by way of or at the expense of form over function, which manifests in its glorious curb appeal while simultaneously shooting itself in the foot on the usability front. It’s haute couture in SUV form if there ever was such a thing, and that makes for both a good and bad thing.

(While we did subject this vehicle to our regular routine, we didn’t drive it enough to warrant  full-fledged, traditional review. What follows is a quick rundown of what can be deduced from our time with it.)

Introduced for the 2017 model year, the Velar entered the Land Rover lineup as a bid to create even more sex appeal within the company’s gaggle of CUV and SUV offerings. It brought a new level of under-the-radar gorgeous styling, draping sleek, timeless lines over proportions unmistakably Land Rover. The Velar received a refresh for 2023, and the Zadar Grey 2024 Velar Dynamic SE we tested was equipped with the 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder mild hybrid engine that makes 395 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, a powerplant paired with the ubiquitous ZF 8HP automatic transmission.

Not that most Land Rover buyers consider price to be a priority in their purchase, but it’s worth noting that the vehicle seen here carries a somewhat reasonable base price of $70,600. With the extensive press-car option list tacked onto that number, the final price came to $81,033 (including a $1,275 Destination & Delivery fee). Pricey, but consider that the “base” full-bore Range Rover SE starts at just shy of $108k, and it’s arguably less pretty. So, is the Velar just a pretty face, a cut rate Range Rover, or even any good at all?

Yay

• Simply stunning inside and out; near-flawless styling and design
• Good insulation at speed
• New 11.4” Touchscreen PIVI Pro Infotainment System is crisp, responsive, and mostly intuitive
• The right size– a good compromise between spaciousness and maneuverability
• Curb appeal to a high degree

Nay

• No physical buttons in the center of the vehicle (save for Park) means all of the controls are through the touchscreen, which makes for frustrating moments when trying to change less accessible settings
• Lazy acceleration for a near-400 hp engine, even in sport mode
• Throttle pedal tuning is horrific, especially for the engine– the first 25% of the pedal does almost nothing, even in sport mode
• Rear door window sill juts out from contour of door excessively far
• Seating position is almost below the window line, so it’s difficult to see out of
• Ride quality suffers from optional 21” wheels (which cost ($2,600)

The Takeaway

Perhaps the vehicular poster child for “form over function,” the Velar is a spectacular treat on the eyes and subsequently frustrating to interact with.