Compare the2026 Land Rover Range Rover VelarVS 2026 Volvo XC60

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Volvo XC60 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Range Rover Velar and the XC60 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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 50 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Volvo.

The Range Rover Velar’s optional 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid produces 148 more horsepower (395 vs. 247) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 266) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the Range Rover Velar and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Range Rover Velars have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Range Rover Velar has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC60 (21.9 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Range Rover Velar’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

The Range Rover Velar stops much shorter than the XC60:

For better traction, the Range Rover Velar has larger standard tires than the XC60 (255/50R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The Range Rover Velar’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC60’s standard 60 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 XC60. The Range Rover Velar’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

The front and rear suspension of the Range Rover Velar uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Range Rover Velar offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The XC60’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 XC60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE handles at .84 G’s, while the XC60 T8 Ultra pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Range Rover Velar Dynamic SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the XC60 B5 Core (26.2 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Range Rover Velar w/Air Suspension has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 (9.9 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the Range Rover Velar to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Range Rover Velar has a much larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (30.9 vs. 22.4 cubic feet).

The Range Rover Velar’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in almost every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Range Rover Velar’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Range Rover Velar’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (5291 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC60 is only 3500 pounds. The Range Rover Velar offers up to a 5511 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Range Rover Velar is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 XC60.

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the XC60.

The Range Rover Velar is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the XC60, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Range Rover Velar offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the XC60.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Range Rover Velar equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The XC60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Land Rover Range Rover Velar empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.

The Range Rover Velar’s optional Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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 XC60 isn’t in the top three in its category.