Just had a test drive of the Velar (standard 180bhp 4 pot). the best way of describing it is like the F Pace I had but in a box format. Drives more car like than an RRS, interior looks great, but feels more Jag than LR, the seats are very uncomfortable (I thought I hated my Sports seats but these are bad!!). I am sure if I spent the cash and went for the First Edition or R-Dynamic with the V6 Petrol and £10k of extras it would make me smile.... But I got back into my RRS and thought 'nice, but not for me'.

It is all subjective of course. People will like and people will buy, but it is not a game changer for me in my buying process.

I will keep my RRS for 2 years and see what new things have appeared in the LR camp..... (a new shape defender with a 5ltr Supercharged lump like a civilized Bowler.....)  2016 RRS Autobiography - 4.4 TDV8 - Santorini Black with Ivory Leather - Grey Alloys - A few toys

well for sure mile you tested the wrong one for you. No way can that model compete with your AB Sport. SVR 2018 in Santorini Black.

I know the engine was wrong, but I've just configured a R thingy with the spec I want, not ticking every box, and it is £90k....!!!!

I was not test driving to buy I will add, my dealer offered me one for an hour whilst they fixed something else on mine..... 2016 RRS Autobiography - 4.4 TDV8 - Santorini Black with Ivory Leather - Grey Alloys - A few toys

It`s a proper hairdresser`s car!

milesg wrote:

the best way of describing it is like the F Pace

Can't argue with the price being ridiculous as I totally agree but I found it a very different (better) car to drive compared to F-Pace. Not that F-Pace is a bad drive but Velar is just so much better. I have driven both with 3 litre Diesel engines. Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

Hairdressers must do really well nowadays

BTW mods this is in the wrong section and there is already a Velar bashing thread in off topic

Reported for mods' attention to move to the correct place  Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

I looked at one in the showroom and if you are 6' or more, the seat won't go back far enough.

The RRS is only *just* good enough in that regard but this one isnt. For women it'll be great till the poppy out door handles break and she can't get in it.

Underwhelmed at the money TBH. Get a 2005-2009 RRS (FAH500210) sat nav/dash mat here - the one that wasn't there when you bought the car.

Spiffing wheel centre caps available

fkarim wrote:

Can't argue with the price being ridiculous as I totally agree but I found it a very different (better) car to drive compared to F-Pace. Not that F-Pace is a bad drive but Velar is just so much better. I have driven both with 3 litre Diesel engines.

Placebo effect

Have you driven one yourself?

Called in local Lexus dealership to pick up my missing handbook last week and there was a Velar in the car park - looked very Ewok from front and F pace rear to me

If owners trading in for a Lexus already they must be underwhelmed too  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

RRSman wrote:

Have you driven one yourself?

Same question from me kmpowell. Most people dismissing the Velar seem to be doing so without having driven one themselves or because they were given the 'wrong' spec to try. While it is perfectly understandable to dislike a car without driving if the reasons are aesthetic, trim quality, pricing etc., to say that it is no different to a much lesser car without actually experiencing both first hand is a bit unfair.

Sharing some components doesn't necessarily mean the drive is same. I know they have the same chassis but would love to see evidence that Velar's drivetrain, powertrain, running gear, mechanics and especially mappings are IDENTICAL to F-Pace. Next we would be claiming Porsches, Audis and VWs are no different for the same reasons. I know some people believe that they essentially are the same thing ... but then again some people still believe the earth is flat so who cares?

As far as the "placebo effect" comment is concerned, it couldn't be farther from truth. I'm not even interested in buying a Velar (at least at present or in near future) as the Sport suits my needs much more and offers a better overall package than Velar. All I have said is that it is a very engaging and fun car to drive compared to F-Pace (and dare I say my RRS). I actually went in NOT expecting to be impressed. My main reason was that I wanted to be proven right that it doesn't offer anything new or exciting. My review of Velar in another thread was actually an admission that I was wrong!

Just like I cannot comprehend why anyone ( read RRSman ) can buy a car without trying it out first just because it is the next 'new thing', I can also not understand how people can be so dismissive of its performance without experiencing it.

Sorry, long post I know but I'm just sitting comfortably in my RRS waiting for my son and have nothing better to do  Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

it's not the first time I have done that too! I bought the first gen Cayenne and the X5 without driving them both - I love having the latest thing it's just "me". Already have a deposit place on the Volvo XC40 for the mrs to replace the Evoque as it excites me and I also have a deposit in the Tesla model 3 (the latter was speculative to make a quick flip profit)!

Good for you We're all different and it's better this way. Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond