Compare the2023 Land Rover Range Rover VelarVS 2023 Volvo XC40

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Range Rover Velar. But it costs extra on the XC40.

Both the Range Rover Velar and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The battery on the Range Rover Velar is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Range Rover Velar’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The XC40’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 63 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Volvo.

The Range Rover Velar has more powerful engines than the XC40:

The Range Rover Velar has 7.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (21.7 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Land Rover Range Rover Velar higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (5). This means the Range Rover Velar produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Range Rover Velar’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC40:

The Range Rover Velar’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC40 are solid, not vented.

The Range Rover Velar stops shorter than the XC40:

For better traction, the Range Rover Velar has larger standard tires than the XC40 (255/50R20 vs. 235/55R18). The Range Rover Velar’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 (265/45R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The Range Rover Velar’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC40’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Range Rover Velar has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC40. The Range Rover Velar’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XC40.

The Range Rover Velar offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XC40; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Range Rover Velar has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Range Rover Velar offers an optional continuously variable suspension system. Using sensors on steering angle, speed and other driver inputs, the shocks soften to improve ride, or stiffen when appropriate to aid handling on tricky roads or off-road. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Range Rover Velar has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Range Rover Velar’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The XC40 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Range Rover Velar’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the XC40 (113.1 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Range Rover Velar is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XC40.

The Range Rover Velar’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the XC40’s (57.9% to 42.1%). This gives the Range Rover Velar more stable handling and braking.

The Range Rover Velar handles at .82 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus AWD (26.2 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Range Rover Velar has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 (8.4 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Range Rover Velar to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Range Rover Velar w/Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the XC40 (9.9 vs. 8.1 inches).

The design of the Land Rover Range Rover Velar amounts to more than styling. The Range Rover Velar has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the XC40 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Range Rover Velar get better fuel mileage.

The Range Rover Velar has .1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and 1.1 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Range Rover Velar’s available rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Range Rover Velar has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (30.9 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The Range Rover Velar has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The Range Rover Velar’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in almost every dimension:

The Range Rover Velar’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC40’s (5291 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC40 is only 3500 pounds. The Range Rover Velar offers up to a 5511 lbs. towing capacity.

Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is standard on the Range Rover Velar, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40.

The engine in the Range Rover Velar is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the XC40, the Range Rover Velar has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Range Rover Velar’s standard Entry and Exit Mode raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Range Rover Velar offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Range Rover Velar to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XC40 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Range Rover Velar offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The XC40 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Range Rover Velar keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Range Rover Velar’s available Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.