If you're looking for a posh five-seat SUV, you're spoiled for choice.
The Range Rover Velar is spacious, comfortable and luxurious, but its brash image and steep running costs may not be your cup of tea. There are loads of great rivals in this segment you can cross-shop instead.
Here are our 10 favourite Velar alternatives. Most of these tempting options are available as nearly new or used cars from Motorpoint.
BMW X3
The latest BMW X3 leans into the brand's most recent design language. That means you get simplified, angular surfaces on the outside, and a screen-heavy interior with bright, bold ambient lighting used extensively. The X3's traditional advantage over the Velar and most of its other competitors has been its handling, which is far more agile than a car this tall and heavy has any right to be. It's a few thousand pounds less expensive than the Range Rover too, so you can spec a bigger engine or more equipment for the same budget.
Shop used BMW X3 cars or read our BMW X3 review
Mercedes GLC
If the X3 puts a little too much 'sport' into the sport utility vehicle recipe, check out the Mercedes GLC. This upmarket family hauler looks posh on the outside, but it's gone to town on the inside with glossy 'floating' panels and screens positioned alongside plush leather and aluminium trim. Starting prices for the GLC are fractionally below the Velar but, once you tick a few desirable boxes on the options list, it quickly becomes the same price as its British rival. You'll also find big discounts on nearly new Mercedes EQC cars – the GLC's electric sibling.
See used Mercedes GLC cars for sale
Audi Q5
Completing the trio of German Velar rivals is the Audi Q5. This recently overhauled model gets Audi's latest, slightly softened styling language and a vast, high-tech infotainment panel that stretches from behind the steering wheel all the way to the centre of the dashboard, and handles all the Q5's main on-board functions. Optional air suspension is available on the Q5 that noticeably enhances ride quality over crusty UK road surfaces. You could also consider the Audi Q6 – a similarly sized SUV with EV power.
Browse used Audi Q5 cars or read our Audi Q5 review
Porsche Macan
If your ideal premium SUV focuses less on luxury and more on performance, check out the Porsche Macan. It's a little less spacious than the Velar and you'll need to raid the expensive options list to match the British car beat-for-beat, but nothing in this segment handles with the Macan's precision. Even the slowest Macan will comfortably out-drag a Velar from a standstill but, if your pockets are deep enough, the 440hp Macan GTS will embarrass many so-called sports cars, despite being a high-riding SUV.
Volvo XC90
The seven-seat Volvo XC90 sits in a class above the Velar, with the smaller XC60 matching closer on size. However, the Swedish brand typically comes up a bit more affordable than its British and German counterparts, so you can upgrade to the range-topping XC90 for a similar price as a Velar. As a result, you can enjoy acres of space for your budget, plus an extra seating row if your kids want to bring friends along. Its mild-hybrid engines make sense for most buyers but there are also plug-in-hybrid and fully electric options further up the range.
Shop used Volvo XC90 cars for sale
Lexus RX
The dramatically styled Lexus RX is also technically from the class above the Velar, but tempting pricing puts it just into reach for Velar buyers. Its cabin is wonderfully screwed together and feels like it'll outlast all its main rivals, and is backed by Lexus' 10-year service-activated warranty. The overall design is perhaps a little more 'old-school', however, with lots of buttons for its main functions. There are smooth, frugal full-hybrid engines if you don't want to faff around with charging, plus a plug-in-hybrid version if you have a home EV charger.
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Maserati Grecale
If you can stretch to just shy of £60,000, you can try something more exotic like the Maserati Grecale. Despite its practical SUV foundation, this model has plenty of hallmarks from the historic Italian brand, including the gaping front grille with thin chrome slats, piercing headlights and a triplet of air vents in each of the front wings. Performance is impressive, even from the entry-level 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, and the well-judged handling strikes a good balance between engaging sportiness and everyday usability.
Polestar 4
Polestar might be the performance-focused spin-off from the Volvo brand, but its cars have a similarly elegant minimalism that makes them an easy place to while away the miles. The Polestar 4 is a recent addition to the lineup, sitting somewhere between an SUV and a low-slung coupe, and one that's controversially done away with its rear window in favour of enhanced passenger and cargo space. Long-range models will cover more than 380 miles on a full charge, while high-performance versions blast from 0-60mph in under four seconds.
Check out used Polestar cars for sale
Jeep Wrangler
As you've seen, there are plenty of on-road focused SUVs that compete toe-to-toe with the Velar, but what if you fancy something that can actually tackle proper off-roading? In that case, try out the Jeep Wrangler – the descendant of the original military Jeep, and a 4x4 that comes equipped from the factory with all the rough-riding hardware needed to conquer seriously rugged terrain. Performance, practicality and luxury aren't in the same league as the Range Rover, but the Wrangler will keep going long after rivals have tapped out.
Browse used Jeep cars for sale
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
What if you took your £50,000-60,000 budget and spent it on something that's properly different? Enter the Volkswagen ID.Buzz – the battery-powered spiritual successor to the original VW Type 2 bus. As you'd hope, the van-like exterior means passenger space is leagues ahead of anything else on this list, and its muscular but silent electric powertrain makes journeys calm and effortless. Most versions will return around 280 miles on a full battery, while DC charging speeds of up to 185kW mean you won't be waiting for hours to get back on the road.
Shop used Volkswagen electric cars or read our Volkswagen ID.Buzz review
Premium SUVs without the premium price tag
There's a huge choice of nearly new and used SUVs for sale at Motorpoint with thousands off their brand-new prices. Check out our picks for the best British cars on sale if you fancy something with home-grown charm.
