• Modern, cutting-edge minimalist cabin
• Most of it works very well, too
• Shame about some of the plastics

How is the quality and layout?

The Range Rover Velar looks slick inside and out. With its super-clean dashboard design and sleek-looking twin screen infographics and control set-up, it’s an attractive effort. Continuing this button-free form, the controls on the steering wheel are touch sensitive, there’s digital instrumentation and a multi-function head-up display available as an option on all models.

The majority of materials within touching distance appear high quality, and what’s more, despite a conscious effort at minimising the number of buttons, the Velar remains surprisingly easy to use. The key to this is undoubtedly the Pivi Pro infotainment system, which has moved on in leaps and bounds since Jaguar Land Rover started putting touchscreens in its cars.

Infotainment and tech

The Pivi Pro system works very well, especially when compared with older Land Rover systems. The twin-screen system allows you control the climate control and the driving mode from the lower display using physical rotary knobs. It may take you a little while to get used to finding things, but once you do this most functions are entirely logical.

However, it’s not perfect. When it comes to typing in an address into the fast-acting sat-nav on the top touchscreen, for instance, the lower palm of your hand can press the bottom touchscreen by mistake and end up setting off another function instead. The system works well with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, should you wish to use them, and the standard-fit stereo sounds average – upgrading to the premium Meridian Audio system is money well spent.

63

Comfort

• Well-shaped, supportive seats upfront
• Roomy and comfortable in the rear
• Seat massagers offered as an option

The seats are supportive, and you get a great view out – but the optional massage function for the front items is also rather lame by the latest standards, so sadly you can’t seek solace in that.

Rear room is just about adequate for two adults, and a six-footer will fit reasonably behind someone similarly sized up front. Despite the sloping roofline, there’s enough headroom not to encroach too much on passenger comfort.

The use of sustainable, premium textile upholstery as an alternative leather is a nice touch – this is a Dapple Grey finish co-developed with a high-end design textiles maker called Kvadrat. Leather does remain available to those who want it.