The Range Rover Velar and Evoque have stacks of appeal, with fancy styling and all the tech. You’ll probably like both.
But, if you’re not sure which is best for you, we’ve driven them back-to-back and pitted them head-to-head – and any other body-related metaphor you can think of. Which is best for you? Read on to find out.
Range Rover Velar vs Evoque compared
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Styling and design
The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree when it comes to these two cars – both are tough but stylish 4x4s with a sprinkling of bling. Famously, Victoria Beckham reportedly gave some input into the design of the original Evoque, and the latest car looks very similar to its predecessor. Unsurprising given how popular the baby Range Rover has been.
The latest Evoque also drew from the Velar in terms of styling – the Velar set the template for every Range Rover model’s current look. It’s designed to look sleeker than the full-bore Range Rover, with a sweeping windowline and slim headlights, yet still has the upright, practical body you’d expect from an off-roader. Both cars feel like they were designed to sit on big alloy wheels.
Interior and practicality
There’s very little to separate these two inside. Both feel posher than their respective rivals, thanks to a large, tilting touchscreen perfectly mounted in the dashboard and leather so soft that you can’t help but stroke it. The Velar feels marginally more luxurious, perhaps because of the car’s more generous interior space.
The Velar is over 40cm longer than the Evoque, so it’s clearly going to be the more versatile car. The Evoque offers a good amount of rear-seat space but, in the Velar, it’s palatial. And the Velar’s boot is about 20% bigger than the Evoque’s. What’s more, if you get a Velar with air suspension, you can press a button in the boot to lower the back of the car to make it easier to load heavy items.
Engines and performance
Like many of the interior parts, the Evoque and Velar share some of their engines. Land Rover’s engine naming strategy doesn’t take a rocket scientist to decode – there’s a P for petrol or D for diesel, and then a number signifying the amount of horsepower.
Where they differ is in their respective plug-in hybrid models. The Evoque’s P300e engine – featuring a 1.5-litre petrol engine – is very much outgunned by the Velar’s P400e engine, which has been borrowed from the loftier Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models.
These are big, heavy cars and usually come with four-wheel drive so, while performance and fuel economy are decent enough, they’re not a standout feature of either car. We like the diesels’ mid-range shove that makes it sublimely easy to get up to motorway speeds, and they’re the most economical – besides the plug-in hybrids, which you’ll have to use the right way to get close to their astronomical fuel economy figures.
However, if speed is really of the essence, only the Velar offers a range-topping SVAutobiography version. Its 550hp supercharged 5.0-litre V8 makes this family flagship laughably fast – and weepingly expensive to run – but you might never have seen one. As we write this, we only found 10 such Velars for sale in the whole of the UK.
Driving
The Evoque and Velar are pleasant to drive on-road and more capable than necessary off-road. Both err on the side of comfort rather than sportiness, which is surely the point in a big SUV.
We’d say the Evoque is ever-so-slightly more comfortable but, in truth, both are better than the opposition from BMW or Mercedes. Get a model with smaller wheels if ride comfort is a priority, as bigger wheels can transmit a bit of fidget through to the cabin on really unpleasant surfaces.
Value and reliability
The Evoque is the obvious winner when it comes to value, as it’s considerably cheaper to buy than the Velar. You should find it cheaper to fill up and slightly cheaper to insure, too. But the Velar still manages to feel good value for the money, because it feels like you’re getting the full Range Rover experience for half the price. The Velar’s favourable depreciation can mean lower monthly finance costs than other large SUVs, too.
Land Rover products don’t have the best reputation for reliability, but we believe it’s a case of a few bad apples sullying the image of the many cars that’ll prove to be absolutely dependable. If you’d like some extra peace of mind, consider taking out an extended warranty when you buy your Range Rover.
Which is better?
In many respects, the differences between the Range Rover Evoque and Velar are small. Neither is the most economical, cheapest or the fastest SUV on the road, but both largely feel more upmarket than their immediate rivals. Go-anywhere capability – even if you never use it – and cosseting soft leather make them luxurious propositions.
The Evoque is the one to go for if you want the Range Rover experience for the least money, as it’s the more affordable of the pair. The Velar, meanwhile, is more practical and more exclusive. If you’re torn between them and these things are enough to swing it, we’d stretch to the Velar for its slightly more special feel.
Ride away in your dream Range Rover
For more information on these cars, read our in-depth reviews of the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar. Or browse our excitingly capable selection of used Land Rover cars for sale.
