Compare the2026 Land Rover Range Rover VelarVS 2026 BMW X3

Both the Range Rover Velar and X3 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Range Rover Velar has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X3’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Land Rover Range Rover Velar’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system is only offered on some models of the BMW X3.

Both the Range Rover Velar and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 X3’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The Range Rover Velar’s optional 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid produces 140 more horsepower (395 vs. 255) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 295) than the X3 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Range Rover Velar has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (21.9 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Range Rover Velar’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

For better traction, the Range Rover Velar has larger standard tires than the X3 (255/50R20 vs. 245/50R19). The Range Rover Velar’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (265/45R21 vs. 255/40R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Range Rover Velar offers optional 22-inch wheels. The X3’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

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 X3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the Range Rover Velar’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the X3’s (39.2 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Range Rover Velar has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 M50 xDrive (8.4 vs. 8.3 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 1.4 inches higher than on the X3 30 xDrive (9.9 vs. 8.5 inches).

The Range Rover Velar has .1 inches more front legroom and .9 inches more rear legroom than the X3.

The Range Rover Velar’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3’s (5291 vs. 4001 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X3 is only 4850 pounds. The Range Rover Velar offers up to a 5511 lbs. towing capacity.

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 X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Range Rover Velar has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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 X3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Range Rover Velar has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the X3.

The Range Rover Velar HSE has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the X3.

The Range Rover Velar has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the X3.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Range Rover Velar third among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The X3 isn’t in the top three in its category.