In his latest video, YouTuber Sam CarLegion subjected these two potent off-roaders in a series of tug-of-war battles
The contenders? Well, they’re amongst the best off-road rigs that are currently on sale, i.e popular Ford Bronco Badlands against the mighty Land Rover Defender P400. Let’s look at specs to see how these two top-tier off-roaders stack up against each other before they battle it over four rounds with their various off-road modes.
2022 Ford Bronco Badlands
In the grey corner, we’ve got the Ford Bronco Badlands, which features a 2.7 liter EcoBoost V-6, that produces 325 hp & 399 lb-ft of torque paired to a 10 speed auto box with 4WD
In the grey corner, we have the popular Ford Bronco in Badlands spec. Under the hood lies a 2.7-liter turbo V-6 EcoBoost engine that produces 325 horsepower and 399 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco features a 10-speed automatic transmission with a four-wheel drive. The Badlands sits pretty much at the top of the Bronco range with only the Edition One doing one better.
The Badlands pretty much sits at the top of the Bronco range and the one seen here is sitting on proper off-road tires. It can two about. It has a dedicated tow mode and cal haul 3500 lbs
Ford designed it to be the ultimate off-roader with its GOAT mode system also including the rock crawl mode. You’ve got differential lockers on the Ford as well. The Bronco Badlands can tow 3500 pounds and tips the scales at 5320 pounds. The Badlands sits on 17-inch rims wrapped in proper 35 inch off-road tires.
2022 Land Rover Defender P400
In the blue corner, we have Land Rover’s latest generation P400 Defender that features a 3.0-liter inline-six, which produces 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 8 speed auto with AWD
Next, in the blue corner, we have the latest generation of the Land Rover Defender P400 from across the pond. Under the hood lies a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, that produces 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed auto box sending power to all four wheels.
Unlike the previous old-school Defender, this latest model is loaded to the gills with a lot of high-tech off-road hardware like an electronic differential and Land Rovers legendary Terrain Response System.This particular example of the Defender can tow 8201 pounds and has a curb weight of 5035 pounds. The Defender comes wrapped in standard off-road tires with much larger rims.
So having looked at the specs, the Defender has the higher horsepower and can tow more, but the Bronco is on proper off-road knobbly tires and even though it can tow lesser, it has a dedicated tow mode. Let’s see how things pan out in this tug-of-war.
So on paper, the Defender has more power but can that compensate for the Broncos off-road tires on snow?
Tug-Of-War: Land Rover Defender P400 vs Ford Bronco Badlands
Well, lets find out as these two thoroughbreds go head to head over four rounds
Both Sam, who is sat in the Bronco, and Richard in the Defender buckle up to battle out in a series of tug-of-wars lasting four rounds. For round one, they decide to do just have the SUVs in their 4×4 automatic mode.
For round one, both SUVs are in their automatic 4WD modes. Both drivers take their foot off the brakes and gradually begin to apply pressure on the gas pedal
With that, they take their foot off the brakes and begin to gradually hit the gas pedal. Well, despite the extra power on the Defender, it, unfortunately, began to spin its wheels and struggled to put those 395 ponies to the ground. The Bronco was had better traction and as a result, managed to pull the Defender to the other side. So that’s round one to the Badlands.
For the second round, Richard in the Defender decides to engage his differential with low range and switches it up to the dedicated off-road mode. Will that make a difference? The short answer was no. It was more wheel spin for the Defender this time round as well.
For the final two rounds, Sam has the Badlands set to its most extreme settings with traction off, both differential lockers activated with four-wheel low. It was no contest this time around and the Ford pulled the Defender well beyond the midway point. So the Bronco takes the final two rounds as well.
Final Thoughts
At the onset, we wanted to know if more power could compensate for better traction? Well, you have your answer. To sum it up, Sam says that they could do this all day long and it was the better tires that were helping the Bronco in this face-off.
Now, although he feels that the Defender offers a far more refined on-road experience of the two, the Land Rover is more suited for a more mature audience. The Bronco meanwhile is most likely to be cheaper to both buy and run and he wouldn’t hesitate to give it some stick when he’s out with it in the elements.
You can watch both off-roaders battle it out in Sam’s video below
In the red corner, we have the stunning Venom 775, SWB F1-50 single cab Venom, with the heritage package. Under the hood lies a 5.0-liter Coyote engine that produces 775 hp & 685 lb-ft
In the red corner, wet have a beautiful two-door VENOM 775 F-150 sport truck that features the Heritage livery package and it really is a looker, with the contrasting white bits adding dollops of character to this truck. Under the hood of this single cab pickup lies a Coyote 5.0 liter Supercharged V-8 engine that produces 775 horsepower and 685 pound-feet of torque. It weighs in at 6050 pounds. You can switch between two or four-wheel drive. To top it off, the lowered suspension gives this sport truck a better stance.
Jeep’s Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
In the silver corner, we have a stock Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk that’s rocking a 6.2 liter supercharged V-8 under the hood and turns out 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels and tips the scales at 5356 pounds. Now out of the box, the Trackhawk is a beast and is mega when it comes to getting off the line.
Round One
The pair turn around and line up for a second pass. The driver in the Trackhawk switches it up to Track mode. Will that make a difference?
Now that we’ve looked at the numbers, let’s see how all this performance translates to on the track. They line up for the first pass. The hammer drops and despite being the heavier of the tow vehicles, here, it’ the Venom that took the lead from the get-go, and that gap only got bigger as the pair approached the quarter-mile line. Now the Venom is not your average Ford work truck and has even previously given the GT500 a tough time. So that’s round one to the sport truck.
Round Two
And it was a lead that only got bigger
For the second round, the driver in the Jeep switches it up to Track mode to see if that makes a difference. Well, long story short. It was. The Jeep had a much better launch this time around and it was neck and neck for quite some time, however, beyond 120, the F-150 began to pull away from the Trackhawk and mashed to clinch the win once again.
Final Thoughts
Now both vehicles employ a supercharger and pack AWD traction. The Jeep is lighter, but the Ford packs more power. Lets see how these numbers translate on track
This particular example of the Trackhawk is going to soon get an upgrade, taking its power output to 1000 horses. Can’t wait to see these two go head 2 head again to see if the added ponies make a difference.
Watch how things unfold in the video below
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If you look at the current SUV line-up of Volkswagen USA, you will have the new Taos as the newest and the most compact member, the next-in-line would be the Tiguan being one of the ideals of the compact SUV, then there is the eight-seater Atlas which we reviewed recently and lastly the sportier Atlas Cross Sport. Now VW ladders up from 16 percent in 2016 to a staggering 64 percent in global sales which might be the appropriate reason for updating the line-up. The new 2022 Volkswagen Taos is the new entry-level SUV that offers the core VW styling at a lower price, good performance via a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, better handling capabilities than most of its rivals, and most importantly, a good cabin experience with great seating comfort. So that’s it for the Taos? Well, we didn’t even start about the complete suite of driver aids which even includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and even blindspot monitoring. But, it faces tough competition from the likes of Kia Seltos,Hyundai Kona, and the most popular Mazda CX-30. Will the 2022 Volkswagen Taos outrun the competition? How good is it actually? Should you consider Volkswagen’s entry-level crossover?
Trims and Features
The 2022 Volkswagen Taos has been launched in three trim levels: S, SE, and SEL. All three trims get powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine while the FWD variants sport an eight-speed automatic transmission. The AWD trims are blessed with a seven-speed DSG or in simple words, dual-clutch automatic transmission. The latter variants also get an updated rear suspension to elevate handling dynamics. That said, here is a detailed trims and features list to help you choose the right one.
S.
Price: $22,995.
LED headlights.
Roof rails.
17-inch alloys.
8.0-inch Virtual Cockpit.
Cloth upholstery.
6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
WiFi integration with Volkswagen Car-Net.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wired connectivity.
Four-speaker audio system.
60/40 split-folding rear seats.
IQ. DRIVE package.
Price: +$995.
Active blindspot monitoring.
Forward collision warning.
Rear cross-traffic alert.
Adaptive cruise control.
Lane-keeping assist.
Emergency assistance.
SE.
Price: $27,245.
Heated rearview side mirrors.
Keyless entry.
18-inch alloys.
Remote ignition.
10-way power-adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support.
Heated front seats.
Faux-leather upholstery with cloth inserts.
Six-speaker audio unit.
8-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
SiriusXM.
Wireless charging pad.
Active blindspot monitoring.
Rear cross-traffic alert.
Forward collision.
IQ. Drive package is optional for the SE excluding the above features.
SEL.
Price: $31,490.
Illuminated grille bar.
Adaptive headlights.
Blacked-out 18-inch alloys.
Automatic high beams.
Rain-sensing automatic wipers.
Dual-zone automatic climate control.
LED ambient interior lighting.
Leather upholstery.
Heated steering wheel.
10.3-inch Virtual Cockpit.
Rear parking sensors.
8-speaker Beats premium audio unit.
Navigation system.
Ventilated front seats. (Available only with the SEL AWD)
19-inch alloys. (Available only with the SEL AWD)
IQ. Drive package unlocked.
Exterior: Just a Tiguan but compact
Well, we are not completely thrilled by the Taos’ design philosophy because it looks similar to the other thriving VW SUVs like the Tiguan and the Atlas. So there is the typical VW front fascia with LED headlights as standard, which makes it look bold along with the X-shaped upper and lower intake grille which appears in glossy black color. Here too the Taos gets visual enhancements if you choose the top-tier SEL trims: an LED light strip runs across the grille, which we have seen before and we like it more with the latest Mk8 Golf. All three trims get fake side vents, which are of no use but give the overall look a bump. We should complement the Taos’ rugged looks which, in our perspective, can get more attention while the others are focusing on the sportier SUV design. All of that is evident when you get to the front and rear bumpers, the side plastic claddings over the wheel arches, and decent-ish ground clearance. The rear gets similar design treatments as you would from VW with horizontal LED taillights with a fairly big VW logo at the center, a roof spoiler at the top, and a single exhaust tailpipe which you won’t see coming out. From the sides, you will be amazed how compact the Taos is and that will be the only differentiating factor of the crossover from its bigger and more expensive brothers. There are just two wheel sizes available: 17 and 18-inch while the SEL gets a black treatment to its 18-inch alloys.
The new Taos is built on the MQB platform and for that matter, it is quite compact. But if you see the competition, the Taos, surprisingly, is slightly longer in length at 175.8 inches, even wider at 72.5 inches while matching the height with Seltos at 64.4 inches. Surprisingly, the ground clearance is the lowest in the segment with just 6.4 inches but that would not be a deal-breaker if you stick to the tarmac. The wheelbase is the longest at 105.9 inches in the segment. The dimensions of the Taos are just the ideals for a compact crossover but said that the most compact among the competition would be the Kona while the CX-30 and Seltos are pretty much the same with an inch give or take. In terms of the overall curb weight, the Taos seems to be on the heavier side with 3,175 pounds, sliding quickly under the CX-30 while the Kona and Seltos are just under 3,000 pounds.
2022 Volkswagen Taos Exterior Dimensions
Model
2022 Volkswagen Taos
Curb Weight
3,175 lbs.
Length
175.8 in.
Width
72.5 in.
Height
64.4 in.
Ground Clearance
6.4 in.
Wheelbase
105.9 in.
Interior: Comfortable and spacious, straight-up business
While we are glad that the longer wheelbase has granted a better rear passenger seat spaciousness and all that, we are quite happy with the interior design where things didn’t get rough while cutting corners. We mean, of course, there are blocks of hard plastics but they are laid out in the typical VW way and it gets better when you pay extra for the upper trims. The dashboard trim, for example, will differ within the base S and the top-tier SEL with the latter having more air vents and a leatherette trim on the lower part along with the door panels. What remains unmatched in the segment is the default eight-inch Virtual Cockpit which gets upgraded to a ten-inch one with the SEL. The steering wheel is a flat-bottomed one found in other current Volkswagen cars but only the base trim cancels out on leatherette-wrapping and the SEL gets a heated steering wheel. While the interior features like dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and heated front seats come default with the SEL, the SE gets leatherette/cloth upholstery, remote ignition, and a ten-way power-adjustable driver seat. The base S gets basic air conditioning, smaller infotainment and driver information displays, and cloth upholstery as standard – your typical base-model Volkswagen.
Enough of feature talks, let’s dive into a detailed overview regarding the cabin comfort and this is where the new Taos shines. Not demeaning the other competitors though, but if you compare, the Taos and the Seltos would be the best fit if you want overall comfort.Let’s start with the standard cloth seats and in our short time examining the crossover, we did notice that the cushioning is just like it should be out of an SUV. The cloth seats, though aren’t the best, are really comfortable and you can stick with the base trim if you want to make the Taos a daily commuter. Otherwise, a few thousand dollars would buy you either faux or genuine leather depending on what you choose. As for the spaciousness, the Taos has 40.7 inches of front headroom and 40.1 inches of front legroom. We would quote it as pretty standard if not less in the segment. But what is truly appreciated is the rear-seat headroom of 39.8 inches and legroom of 37.9 inches. You can take the Kona, CX-30, or the Seltos, which have an adequately spacious front row but all of them, except for the Seltos, have a cramped up rear legroom which might hinder taller passengers to experience comfortable long drives. With the Taos, your family and even friends will be more than happy. Speaking of happiness, the default boot space is set at 27.9 cubic feet which is the biggest in the taken competition and will reduce to 24.9 cubic feet with the optional AWD. The latter numbers are still better than the standard Mazda and Hyundai, to be precise.
For a quick rundown, here are the full interior features for your reference.
Dual-zone automatic climate control.
Leatherette-wrapped and heated steering wheel.
Leather upholstery.
10-way power-adjustable driver seat.
10.3-inch multi-information display.
Heated front seats.
Ventilated front seats. (AWD variants only)
2022 Volkswagen Taos Interior Dimensions
Model
2022 Volkswagen Taos
Seating Capacity
5
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)
40.7/56.5/40.1
Second Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)
39.8/55.2/37.9
Cargo Capacity
27.9 cu.ft.
The infotainment system consists of the usual suspects which include a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration along with WiFi connectivity and connected services. The system-wide MIB3 integration is very refined but is a bit sophisticated like the other German infotainment systems. Going up the trim levels will unlock features like an eight-inch touchscreen display, LED ambient lighting, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a satellite radio, and a navigation system. A few of the important ones are listed below:
8-speaker Beats premium audio system.
Bluetooth connectivity.
Ambient interior lighting.
SiriusXM.
Volkswagen Car-Net.
Performance and Handling: Couldn’t be better at this price point
With the new Taos, you would get much better performance if compared to the naturally aspirated mess created by the competition, as standard. It is a new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine which is a slightly bored-out version of the Jetta’s base 1.4-liter engine. It produces 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of maximum torque while driving the front wheels as standard. The engine gets mated to an eight-speed auto by default but for your spirited heart, VW packs a seven-speed DCT with the optional AWD. And since it is a turbocharged engine, the torque kicks in as early as 1,750 revs, reviving a great city driving experience. But, the Taos is not the best either, because it does not have a powerful alternative engine to make the lineup more exciting like the 1.6-liter turbo-powered Seltos, a massively powerful 2.0-liter engine found with the Kona and the 2.5-liter engine with up to 310 pound-feet ratings found with the CX-30. So might not be able to get athletic with the Taos but the engine would be a great sync of adequate power and good fuel economy.
In our short time with the new Taos, we couldn’t get it for acceleration tests but Car and Driver did and they recorded a pretty good 7.4 seconds for the 0-60 and about 15.8 seconds for the standing quarter-mile. Is it any better? Absolutely. Not a single competitor has a faster take-off time than the Taos. The Seltos is the slowest among the group with 10.3 seconds, then comes the Kona with 9.2 seconds, and lastly the CX-30 with 8.4 seconds. We were talking about the 0-60 miles per hour timings, just to be clear. As for the driving impressions, the Taos is a gentleman. It acts as it should be. Not a lot of crossovers in this range will make you feel energetic except for the Kona N but will cost you a lot more than the AWD-equipped Taos. We must add to the statement that the seven-speed DCT is not the fastest and it kind of reacts harshly when accelerating hard. The DCT variants get driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Individual. The sportier Taos with DSG and All-Motion also sports a better suspension compared to the standard ones and that will unlock the handling prowess. There’s a center limited-slip diff and Volkswagen’s intelligent drive tech divides the required power to the front and rear axle to keep you moving even if you are caught up in a bad or snowy road.
2022 Volkswagen Taos Performance Stats
Model
2022 Volkswagen Taos
Engine Type
1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
Drive Type
FWD/AWD
Transmission
8-speed shiftable automatic/ 7-speed DCT
Power
158 hp @ 5,500 RPM
Torque
184 lb-ft @ 1,750 RPM
0-60 (mph)
7.4 seconds
Quarter-mile
15.8 seconds
Top Speed
125 mph (est.)
Fuel Economy
The front-wheel-driven Taos should be the one to go for if you wish to enjoy a lower fuel cost. However, the competition is not far behind but more on that later. The smallest VW SUV has been rated 28 miles per gallon in the city, a massive 36 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined figure of 31 miles per gallon. Now, if you compare the numbers to the likes of the Seltos and Kona, the Taos’ city mileage is a little inferior to a mile or two. But the highway mileage is quite impressive with a lead of two to three miles from the leading competition. However, if you get the AWD Taos, then the mileage will come down to 25/32/28 for city/highway/combined. As for the gas tank size, VW has packed a reasonably sized 13.2-gallon gas tank which can deliver up to 475 miles on the highways.
Model
2022 Volkswagen Taos
MPG (City)
28
MPG (Highway)
36
MPG (Combined)
31
Tank Capacity (Gallons)
13.2
Range (City, Highway, Combined)
369.6/475.2/409.2
How safe is the 2022 Volkswagen Taos?
If you want to get your hands on the full suite of driver aids, then you have to choose the IQ. Drive, which is a $995 additional add-on available for the S and SE and is standard on the top SEL trim. The IQ. Drive will unlock features like forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, active blindspot monitoring, and emergency assistance. We recommend you to not miss this opportunity and if you want an all-round protection with the availability of a semi-autonomous driving experience then the package is a must-have. The Taos is a relatively new crossover that has not received any federal ratings for crash tests from the NHTSA. The IIHS, however, rates the same with the “Good” in the roof strength category and both “Good” and “Marginal” in the headlights category. We will let you know if there are more tests conducted by these agencies. Here are a few standard safety features found with the Taos.
Auto delay off headlamps.
ABS.
Dusk-sensing headlights.
Dual front side-mounted airbags.
Front and rear head airbags.
Post-collision safety system.
Stability control.
Tire pressure monitoring.
Emergency braking assist.
Should you buy the 2022 Volkswagen Taos?
We mean, why not? For the asking price of $22,995, you are getting a spirited yet economical 1.5-liter engine, adequate power on offer, a well-designed cabin with the Virtual Cockpit as standard, optional IQ. Drive and lastly a comfy rear row. All of these features are quite important and VW delivered them well but the competition is not something you should laugh at. The Kona gets a lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automated emergency braking, and driver attention warning, all of these as standard. The Seltos on the other hand is a great crossover with ample space on offer but comes at a cheaper price tag than the Taos. The only nitpick we would like to discuss and that might be a dealbreaker for a lot of people would be the lack of a few important driver assistance features as standard.
FAQ.
Is the Volkswagen Taos new?
Yes, the Taos is an all-new crossover by the German automobile conglomerate, Volkswagen AG.
At what price does the Volkswagen Taos start?
You can get the new Taos at $22,995 without the destination charges. However, the top-tier SEL is priced at about $31,490.
How powerful is the 2022 Volkswagen Taos?
The 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine powered Taos puts out 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque while driving either the front wheels or all four wheels.
How efficient is the Volkswagen Taos?
The front-wheel driven Taos gets an EPA rating of 28/36/31 for city/highway/combined and these figures drop down to 25/32/28 if you choose the 4-Motion system.
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The current X253 generation of the GLC is based on the C-Class. Since we already know a new C-Class is on the way, we can expect the upcoming GLC to share a platform with it. Moreover, the next GLC might even get the same version of the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system as the 2023 Mercedes C-Class All-Terrain.
One of the two GLC prototypes is definitely a hybrid or an EV, as its number plate finishes with the letter “E” – a designation used for hybrid and fully electric prototype vehicles, in Germany.
On the outside, the next GLC seems to have grown up in size, compared to the current model. The shape, however, remains very similar to what we already know from the X253 GLC. We also spot mirrors that are located on the doors instead of the window edges, which is in tune with the latest design trends. As with other Mercedes models, it seems the 2023 GLC will score a thinner headlight and taillight design.
On one of the prototypes there are side steps, but the sign “do not step on” gives away that they are most likely part of the camouflage and will not make it on the production model.
The increase in size could mean that third-row seats could be an option available on the GLC. The current GLB, which is smaller, can already be had as a seven-seater, even though the vehicle is clearly more utilitarian in its design, compared to the bigger GLC. In any case, the ability to spec a seven-seater GLC will definitely make the model more versatile.
The interior is expected to be a complete carry-over from the C-Class, with some minor changes. Of course, the GLC is expected to also feature the full and latest arsenal of passive and active safety, with most of it coming as standard.
In terms of powertrain, the upcoming Mercedes GLC will mirror the C-Class engine options. This includes a variety of gasoline and diesel engines, all of which will be aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, as well as one diesel and one petrol PHEV option. All engines will be turbocharged inline-four units and will work with the nine-speed automatic transmission. Later on, at least two AMG versions are expected to come out, which will most likely be powered by turbocharged inline-four engines. One of the AMG versions could also be an FHEV or PHEV.
The next-generation Mercedes GLC is expected to debut late in 2022, as a 2023 model, with a GLC Coupe following a year later. The GLC has already proven a worthy alternative to the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 and this one looks like it will offer more of everything.
To be more specific the Mach-E set a world record for the amount of distance driven with 1 kWh. It managed 6.54 miles (10.5 km) for 1 kWh. To have a crack at the record a trip was organized from St. John O’Groats – a Scottish village at the very tip of Northern Scotland – to Land’s End – the most Western point in Southern UK.
The total distance driven by the Mach-E was 840 miles (1,352km) with two stops for charging, taking 45 minutes total. The version used for the trip was the Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD version. This means 294 horsepower going to the rear wheels only and an 88 kWh battery. The Mach-E Extended Range RWD also has an EPA rating of 379 miles (610 km) combined.
At the beginning of the test, the car was fully charged and with three people on board. The drivers were BBC correspondent Paul Clifton, Fergal McGrath, and Kevin Brooke, none of which strangers to such undertakings. The test took place on July 3rd, 2021, and took 27 hours to complete.
It’s worth noting that whilst the record is impressive, the car was driven at an average speed of 31 mph (50 km/h), so at highway speeds, the efficiency will drop by at least 25 percent.
Nevertheless, “This record is about demonstrating that electric cars are now viable for everyone. Not just for short urban trips to work or the shops or as a second car, but for real-world use on long cross-country journeys. We’ve proved that, with this car, the tipping point has been reached” – the team shared.
Of course, the driving performed in the test aimed to squeeze as much range as possible from the Mach-E. That said, even though no one will be driving at 31 mph (50 km/h) on the highway, it’s good to know that EVs are not good just for short trips or getting the groceries, but can actually provide enough range for a range anxiety-free road trip. Now, it remains to be seen how much more range can EV manufacturers squeeze from their EV architectures.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E specifications
Drivetrain:
dual electric motors
Power:
459 horsepower
Torque:
612 pound-feet
Range:
up to 300 miles
0 to 60 mph:
less than four seconds
Top speed:
at least 130 mph
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The most off-road friendly luxury SUV in the segment
The 2020 Range Rover Velar is offered in three trims – Velar, R-Dynamic, and SVAutobiography Dynamic.
In total, the model is offered with four different engine options. First up, there’s a P250 2.0-liter, four-cylinder mill that produces 247 horses and 269 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. With this mill under the hood, the SUV takes 6.7 seconds to sprint to 60 mph from a standstill and keeps running all way up to 135 mph. This engine is offered on Velar and R-Dynamic trims.
Next in line is the P340, which is a 3.0-liter, V-6 engine that makes 340 horses and 332 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to all the wheels. In this case, the Velar takes 6.1 seconds to its sprint to 60 mph and has a top speed of 145 mph. This engine, too, is offered on the base and the mid-trim.
The same mill is offered in a slightly higher state of tune. Dubbed the P380, it doles out 380 ponies and 332 pound-feet of torque. It is slightly quicker and faster, taking just 5.3 seconds to 60 mph, and can go all the way up to 155 mph. It features the same gearbox and four-wheel-drive system. This iteration can be had only on the mid-R-Dynamic trim.
Finally, there’s the might P550 V-8 engine that finds itself under the hood of the top SVAutobiography Dynamic trim exclusively. This 5.0-liter, supercharged engine churns out 550 ponies and 502 pound-feet of twist. Power is sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is the quickest and the fastest the Velar can go. It takes just 4.3 seconds to gallop to the 60 mph mark and has a 170 mph top speed. But, it must be noted that is the slowest when compared to the BMW X5 M and the Jaguar F-Pace SVR. They have a top speed of 177 mph and 195 mph, respectively. How about that!
2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar specifications
Engine
5.0-Liter V-8
Fuel
Premium
Horsepower
550 HP
Torque
502 LB-FT
Transmission
8AT
Drive
AWD
Towing Capacity
5,512 LBS
Fuel Economy
15/20/17
Curb Weight
4595 LBS
Fuel Capacity
21.7 Gal
0-60 MPH
4.3 Seconds
Top Speed
170 MPH
How Much Can The Velar Tow?
The 2020 Range Rover Velar can tow 5,512 pounds and beats both its rivals in this aspect. The Jaguar F-Pace SVR can tow up to 5,291 pounds, whereas the BMW X5 M is the worst in this aspect and can tow just 1,653 pounds. Towing capacity doesn’t matter much in the case of super SUVs, but that is a big difference and BMW could do better to look good on paper.
What Is The Velar’s Fuel Economy?
The Range Rover Velar with the P250 engine delivers 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 miles per gallon combined. It is the most efficient engine in SUV’s lineup. The P340 can take you 18 miles in the city, 24 miles on the highway, and 20 miles combined in one gallon of gas. The P380 also delivers the exact same fuel figures as the P340. The P550 is the thirstiest of the lot and delivers 15 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined.
Land Rover Range Rover Velar Driving Impressions
Driving and Handling
All Range Rovers have the off-roading DNA within them, so expecting a plush, flawless tarmac driving experience is something you have to leave behind before you fire up the engine.
The raw feel is present every single time, but I’m not saying this is a condescending way. Overall, the Velar is well above acceptable and will leave you happy and satisfied after every ride. The top trim even comes with a powerful V-8 and an SV-tuned sports electronic air suspension. However, the car feels heavy without a doubt and some amount of body roll is also present.
Acceleration
Range Rover has plonked the big V-8 engine under the hood with over 500 horses at its disposal.
For an SUV that weighs well over 4,000 pounds, the Velar accelerates like a beast.
0-60 mph is rated at 4.3 seconds by the company. There are many drive modes to choose from, including one called low-traction launch control. Whether you use it for straight-line dashes or not, Range Rover needs to be applauded for being optimistic and offering it.
Brakes
Strong brakes are one of the things that impressed us here. The SVAutobiography comes with 15.5-inch front and rear brakes that bring it to a halt without any drama. It even comes with emergency high-speed braking and ‘Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking’ that inspires confidence in and around the corners.
Off-Roading
Off-roading isn’t something owners exercise frequently in this segment. But, let’s not forget that the Velar is a Range Rover and this is one of its strongest suits. The Velar has a ground clearance of 8.4 inches and a water wading depth of up to 25.5 inches. Since it comes with an air suspension, these figures can even get slightly better. The approach angle is rated at 23.6 degrees, departure angle at 25 degrees, and break over angle at 19 degrees.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Exterior Design
Different bumper on every trim
Fog lamps only on the top trim
Red brake calipers
Rides on 21-inch wheels
Blackened pillar for a floating-roof effect
Quad-tip exhaust system
Rear spoiler
Available in a staggering 25 different exterior shades and finishes
The Velar looks unmistakably a Range Rover. All three trims look different up front. Our SVAutobiography came in a white exterior shade. The honeycomb mesh detailing on the grille is seen even in the elements on the bumper. There is a Land Rover logo on the grille and Range Rover lettering at the tip of the hood. Front fog lamps are exclusive just to this trim. Range Rover has offered 25 different exterior colors and finishes on the Velar! Although the color palette is limited to the basic colors, there are multiple shades of each of them in different finishes like solid, metallic, ultra-metallic, and special paints that cost over $9,000 extra even on the fully-loaded top-trim. Phew!
The stout, tight, long side profile may not be to everyone’s liking. This top trim rides on 21-inch five-split-spoke dark gloss grey wheels with red calipers peeking from behind. These wheels are wrapped in Pirelli tires. The blackened A-, B-, C-, and D-pillars give a floating roof effect. The retractable door handles sit flush with the body to give a clean look.
A lot is happening in what can be considered a small derriere. The small, sloping windshield comes with a spoiler at the top. The taillights look aggressive and are split units with a part on the boot and the rest of it out. They are connected by a running strip that has ‘Range Rover’ lettering in between. There’s a small SVAutobiograby badge on the right-hand side. The bumper is rather wide and has reflectors placed at a sloping angle. The bottom bit features a faux skid plate of sorts with quad tailpipes for the exhaust system. Two more tiny reflectors are sitting on either end of the tailpipes. Overall, the Velar looks unique and could draw polarizing opinions.
The SVAutobiography Dynamic trim comes with other features such as:
Powered tailgate
Tailgate spoiler
Auto-dimming, heated wing mirrors
SV Exterior Pack
How Big Is The Land Rover Range Rover Velar?
The Velar is quite a big vehicle, but it isn’t longer, wider, or taller than any of its immediate rivals. The Velar measures 189.2 inches in length, 80 inches in width, 66 inches in height. The BMW X5 M is 195 inches long, 79.3 inches wide, and 68.9 inches tall. The Jaguar F-Pace SVR, on the other hand, measures 186.3 inches in length and 81.5 inches in width, and 65.6 inches tall.
The Velar and F-Pace SVR’s wheelbase measures an identical 113.1 inches, whereas the X5 M measures 117 inches. The Velar’s front track is 64.6 inches wide, X5 M’s is 66.9 inches, and the F-Pace SVR also has a 64.6-inch track. The rear track width measures 65.4 inches for the Velar, 66.5 inches for the X5 M, and 68.1 inches for the F-Type SVR.
2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exterior dimensions
Range Rover Velar
BMW X5 M
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Length (Inches)
189.2
195
186.3
Width (Inches)
80
79.3
81.5
Height (Inches)
66
68.9
65.6
Wheelbase (Inches)
113.1
117
113.1
Front Track (Inches)
64.6
66.9
64.6
Rear Track (Inches)
65.4
66.5
65.1
How Much Does The Velar Weigh?
The Range Rover Velar weighs 4,595 pounds. It is 200 pounds heavier than the Jaguar F-Pace SVR which weighs 4,395, but over 800 pounds lighter than the BMW X5 M, which weighs a massive 5,425 pounds.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Interior Design
Leather seats and steering wheel
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Aluminum gearshift paddles
Two 10-inch touchscreens/Touch Pro Duo system
Supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Four-zone climate control
Up to 60 cubic-feet of cargo space
The Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic comes with Ebony perforated leather seats as standard, but our driver came with a very contrasting interior theme. The black and tan dual-tone combination is very pronounced, which looks and feels premium, but it does not gel well with the exterior colors. Our white model, for instance, didn’t match with it, but it would look good on darker shades. Range Rover offers four different shades of perforated leather seats, which include black, tan, red, and white. This is a subjective thing and will matter only if you’re picky and want a common theme running inside-out.
Step inside the cabin and you’ll be welcome by a tech-rich cockpit and big, fat, chunky steering wheel wrapped in soft-grain leather.
It has a big horn pad with the control buttons mounted on the spokes on either side. These controls are lit only when pressed. There’s an Ebony suedecloth headlining here, too. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster throws up a ton of driver-related info. It is bright and easy-to-read even under bright sunlight. You can add the Driver Assist Pack that adds a 360-degree surround camera with a display here and Adaptive Cruise control.
Some other notable features include:
Four-zone climate control
Illuminated treadplates
Lockable cooled glovebox
Aluminum gearshift paddles
Premium carpet mats
Bright Chrome knurled finish on the rotary and control dials
Is the Velar’s Infotainment Easy to Use?
The Range Rover Velar comes with the Touch Pro Duo system that we’ve been seeing in a lot of models lately. It is essentially a set of two 10-inch touchscreens placed on the center console. The lower one is used for climate controls, drive adjustments like suspension height, and even seats heating and massaging functions.
The knobs and dials make things a lot more intuitive when compared to an all-touch system. This unit is a fingerprint magnet and is annoyingly visible under bright sunlight.
The upper screen is for navigation, media etc., primarily. But, in case you choose to use this only for, say, navigation, you can move the other things like media details to the lower screen with a single touch. The User Interface is friendly and easy to use, but it isn’t the slickest ones available on the market. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard. A 10-inch screen is considered an average size these days, so if you’re coming from a car with a bigger, single screen, you’ll take some time getting used to.
Fortunately, the system offers customization options and you can reduce the clutter on the screen. The infotainment screen at the top can even be customized to set a variety of wallpapers to give a sense of personalization. The default layout does provide clarity of options for access to entertainment media, a Bluetooth connected phone, or navigation. Overall, the system is simple to use, but the learning curve is a little longer.
Is The Velar Spacious?
At the front, the Velar has a headroom of 39 inches, legroom of 40.2 inches, and shoulder room of 57 inches. The BMW X5 M and the Jaguar F-Pace SVR offer 40.8- and 37.8 inches of headroom, 39.8- and 40.3 inches of legroom, and 60- and 57.7 inches of shoulder room, respectively.
The second-row measurements are very similar in all three SUVs. The Range Rover Velar offers 38.8 inches of headroom, 36.8 inches of legroom, and 56 inches of shoulder room. The BMW X5 M has headroom of 38.7 inches, a headroom of 37.4 inches, and a shoulder room of 57.1 inches. As for the F-Pace SVR, you have 37.5 inches of headroom, 37.2 inches of legroom, and 55.8 inches of shoulder room at your disposal.
2020 Range Rover Velar interior dimensions
Range Rover Velar
BMW X5 M
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
1st Row Headroom (Inches)
39
40.8
37.8
1st Row Leg Room (Inches)
40.2
39.8
40.3
1st Row Shoulder Room (Inches)
57
60
57.7
2nd Row Headroom (Inches)
38.8
38.7
37.5
2nd Row Leg Room (Inches)
36.8
37.4
37.2
2nd Row Shoulder Room (Inches)
56
57.1
55.8
How Much Cargo Can The Velar Carry?
With all the seats in place, the Range Rover Velar has a cargo space of 34.4 cubic-feet available. This is more than the BMW X5 M’s 33.9 cubic-feet and F-Pace SVR’s 33.5 cubic-feet. Flip down the second row and you now have 60.2 cubic-feet available at your disposal. This is less than the Jaguar F-Pace’s 64 cubic-feet of space and way lesser than the German’s 72.3 cubic-feet of space.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Pricing
The 2020 Range Rover Velar is available in three different variants and here’s how they are priced:
Base – $56,300
R-Dynamic – $58,500
SVAutobiography Dynamic – $90,790
Is The Range Rover Land Rover Velar Better Than The BMW X5 M?
The BMW X5 M needs no introduction. It is one of the most-accomplished performance SUVs that you can buy today. It is big, bulky, looks aggressive, and can scare the hell out of you if you see it in your rearview mirror prancing towards you. In terms of features, it is loaded to the gills. The X5 M is powered by a 4.4-liter, V-8 engine that dishes out 600 ponies and 553 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Even though it weighs a lot more than the Velar, the German takes just 4.1 seconds to 60 mph and has a 177 mph-top speed. The 2021 BMW X5 M starts at $105,100, making it around $15,000 dearer than the Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic.
Is The Range Rover Land Rover Velar Better Than The Jaguar F-Pace SVR?
The Velar SVAutobiography’s closest rival is its cousin, the F-Pace SVR. The Jag comes with the same 5.0-liter, V-8 supercharged mill, the same eight-speed automatic gearbox, that even makes the same power – 550 horses and 502 pound-feet of torque. But it is 200 pounds lighter, which makes it two-tenths of a second quicker than its cousin. The SUV even has a top speed of 195 mph. No exception in terms of luxury and the features either. The 2020 Jaguar F-Pace starts at $80,600, which makes it around $10,000 cheaper than the Velar’s top-trim.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2020 Velar comes with a suite of driver assistance and safety features, some of which include:
Rear Camera
Park Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
Trailer Stability Assist
Terrain Response System w/Unique SV Tuned Dynamic Program
Hill Launch Assist
Dynamic Stability Control
Low traction launch
Electronic Traction Control
Roll Stability Control
Cornering Brake Control
Torque Vectoring by Braking
Hill Descent Control
Electric Parking Brake
Anti-lock Braking System
Electronic Brake-force Distribution
Emergency Braking
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Warranty
The velar is covered by a New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 4 years/50,000 miles, and a six-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion perforation warranty, plus various emissions warranties.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Optional Packs
Apart from the optional accessories, Range Rover also offers numerous packages on the Velar. Since the base model comes with the highest number of packages, for obvious reasons, here’s a gist of them and their prices at the time of penning down this article:
Convenience Pack – $685
Driver Assist Pack – $3,300
Cold Climate Pack – $640
Dynamic Handling Pack – $2,180
Technology Pack – $1,535
Hot Climate Pack – $850
Basic Interior Protection Pack – $550
Premium Interior Protection Pack – $700
Wheel Protection Pack – $250
Black Wheel Protection Pack – $550
Exterior Protection Pack – $300
Premium Rear Seat Convenience Pack – $500
Basic Rear Seat Convenience Pack – $230
Deployable Side Step Pack (without tow) – $3,000
Deployable Side Step Pack (with tow) – $3,300
Love it
Strong road presence
Fantastic V-8 engine is smooth and quick
Offers best off-road capability when compared to immediate rivals
Leave it
Jaguar F-Pace SVR has the same bones but offers better bang-for-the-buck
The Porsche Cayenne GTS doesn’t look very different from the regular model
Both GTS models are fitted with a Sport Design package and GTS-specific features.
However, these don’t make it look significantly different compared to the regular Cayenne. Notable elements include LED headlamps and taillights with dark-tinted covers and black trim for the front air intakes, side windows, the badges on the rear fascia, and the tailpipes. The GTS is also fitted with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels finished in satin-gloss black.
The Porsche Cayenne GTS comes with a sporty, exclusive interior
While the exterior doesn’t stand out unless you look really close, the interior comes with plenty of cool and exclusive features. These models are fitted with eight-way sports seats as standard that are exclusive to the GTS trim. Likewise, the cabin features “GTS” logos on the front doors, door sills, the rev counter, and the headrests. The GTS also comes with extra Alcantara, now covering the roof lining, the seat center panels, the center console armrests, and the doors. There’s also dark-brushed aluminum trim on the dashboard and the upper doors. You can spice things up a bit more with the optional GTS Interior Package, which adds decorative stitching in Carmine Red or Crayon.
The Porsche Cayenne GTS returns to the V-8 engine
The second-generation GTS started life with a naturally aspirated V-8 engine, but Porsche replaced with a twin-turbo V-6 during the 2015-model-year facelift.
Now, Porsche is ditching the V-6 in favor of a turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8.
Rated at 460 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, this V-8 is essentially a detuned version of the 4.0-liter in the Turbo model, but it’s a bit more powerful than the outgoing GTS. Specifically, it delivers an extra 20 horsepower and an additional 14 pound-feet of twist.
Compared to the Cayenne S, powered by a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6, the GTS comes with an extra 26 horsepower and 51 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the Cayenne Turbo, the GTS falls behind by a notable 90 horsepower and 111 pound-feet of twist.
As far as performance goes, Porsche says that the new GTS hits 60 mph from a standing start in 4.5 seconds. Opt for the Sport Chrono Package, and that benchmark drops to only 4.2 seconds. That’s 0.6 seconds quicker than the outgoing model. Top speed for the GTS is rated at 168 mph, five mph more than the old version.
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