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2023 Range Rover Velar facelift introduces new curved infotainment system

The Range Rover Velar has been updated for 2023 with a tweaked exterior and the latest Pivi Pro infotainment

  • Revised exterior and lighting design
  • P400e PHEV now with 40-mile range
  • Available to order now from £54,045

Following the release of the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, Land Rover has decided to facelift its more avant-garde offering to match its flagship models. The facelifted Range Rover Velar brings a refreshed exterior, as well as an all-new infotainment system and an upgraded plug-in hybrid version with 40 miles of electric range.

best mid-size SUVs header imageThe best mid-size SUVs – our 2024 top picks

The facelifted Range Rover Velar is available to order now, with prices starting from £54,045. Sitting above the entry-level Evoque in Land Rover’s lineup, the Velar’s sloping roofline makes it a rival for other coupe-SUVs such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe, alongside sporty SUVs – namely the Porsche Macan and Jaguar F-Pace.

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This update has smoothed out many of the wrinkles in the Velar’s design, using Land Rover’s latest ‘reductive modernism’ design philosophy. This involves a flush-fitting grille – similar to that seen on the new full-size Range Rover – as well as a simplified LED headlight signature. On top-spec cars, these utilise Pixel LED technology, which can switch off individual LEDs in order not to dazzle other drivers, while still providing maximum illumination of the road.

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At the rear, the facelift brings a smoked set of LED tailights, reminiscent of those found on the new Range Rover Sport, while a new rear bumper conceals the tailpipes to achieve a more uncluttered look. There are two new exterior colours to choose from – Varesine Blue and Zadar Grey – and alloy wheel sizes range from 19-22 inches in diameter.

Bigger changes can be found on the inside where the new Range Rover Velar ditches the old car’s dual-screen infotainment system for Jaguar-Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro system. This comprises a single, curved 11.4-inch touchscreen and houses many of the car’s functions including the Terrain Response system for off-road driving. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even Amazon Alexa compatibility are all standard, too.

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In the pursuit of minimalism, Land Rover has removed the Velar’s physical climate controls for this update; instead, the air conditioning can be controlled via sliders at each side of the touchscreen – something that may be a frustration for many. Nonetheless, the centre console now has an incredibly clean and swooping appearance and is available in a variety of finishes. 

Clients can also choose from one of four leather colours – Cloud, Caraway, Raven Blue and Deep Garnet – yet, perhaps the most interesting choice is the new leather-free Kvadrat Ultrafabric upholstery, which features a unique ‘Diamond Herringbone’ perforation.

Also new for the facelift is an air purification system; available as part of the optional Comfort Pack, this cleans the air entering from the outside via the air conditioning system, keeping out any toxins and/or allergens. Specifying the range-topping Meridian sound system brings with it Active Road Noise Cancellation, which generates opposite sound waves to the road noise in order to make the cabin quieter – just like a pair of posh headphones.

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Land Rover has slimmed down the Velar’s lineup for the 2023 update; there are now just four trim levels available: S, Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE and Autobiography. Even the entry-level S model (starting at £54,045) comes luxuriously equipped, while the range-topping Autobiography (starting at £76,415) boasts exclusive design details and all the bells and whistles you’d expect of a car at this price point.

There are two petrols, two diesels and one plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model to choose from – while the traditional combustion engines remain unchanged since the update, the P400e PHEV has received a significant upgrade. This comes in the form of a larger 19.2kWh battery pack which extends the plug-in Velar’s pure electric range to 40 miles – seven miles more than before. An increase in range moves the Range Rover into the lower 8% Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket, which should come as good news for company car drivers.

Utilising a 50kW DC rapid public charger, the Velar P400e can be charged from 0-80% in just 30 minutes – a full charge from a 7kW home wallbox takes around three hours. All Velars come as standard with four-wheel-drive, while plug-in hybrid and six-cylinder Velar models get an adaptive suspension setup which can stiffen up for sportier driving or slacken off for a more comfortable ride; this system also comes as standard on top-spec four-cylinder Dynamic HSE examples. 

Want to see what other options are out there? Check out our list of the top 10 best luxury SUVs

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