The Jaguar F-Pace and Land Rover Velar are two extremely similar vehicles. They are similar enough that they share an engine, suspension, and platform.
Jaguar and Land Rover are joined at the hip. These two distinctly European luxury brands have been combined into JLR for several years. This sometimes means a little cross pollination takes place and we have SUVs from both brands that look and act similarly. In this case, the F-Pace and Velar are two small SUVs ready to take on the Porsche Macan. Although similar, these two small SUVs have many differences that give you the driving experiences you desire.
The Velar offers a different view
The Velar sits higher off the ground than the F-Pace, and it has a lower beltline. This means drivers have a higher vantage point and a better view of the road. In the F-Pace, you’ll be down in the body of the SUV, which makes it feel much sportier than the Land Rover model. In this way, it has been described that you “sit in” the F-Pace, but you “sit on” the Velar. This might sound strange, but when you compare the two and enjoy the differing seating positions, you’ll understand.
Cabin style is sportier in the F-Pace
The Jaguar F-Pace has a much sportier cabin than the Land Rover Velar. The Jaguar has a stunning build and attractive styling that makes it feel much more like a luxury sports sedan like the XF. Turning to the Velar, you’ll find earth-colored materials and simple geometric lines that offer an attractive look but not a sporty style. This difference is apparent as soon as you get behind the wheel of either SUV to see which one appeals to you. These are distinct brand differences regarding the sportiness associated with Jaguar versus the practicality and capability of the Land Rover brand.
Which SUV is better on the trails?
These two SUVs have different levels of off-road capabilities. It should be easy to understand which brand has more of what you want for your wilderness driving experiences. The Jaguar features some off-road equipment, but the Velar has more wheel travel. The Land Rover model can easily handle the fun of exploring the wilderness much better than the Jaguar model. The Velar also has several versions of air suspension, which you won’t find in the F-Pace. This means the Land Rover can rise higher for off-road challenges.
The Land Rover Velar also has a Terrain Response 2 system, which gives this SUV impressive electronic and mechanical help for off-road driving.
The Velar is bulkier
They are built on the same platform but have different body shapes. The Land Rover Velar has a bulkier body than the Jaguar F-Pace. The Velar is longer at the back to carry bulky items and handle the challenges that many drivers face regularly. The added stuff you might need when you leave the paved roads behind explains why the Land Rover has a bigger body and bulkier build for your more adventurous needs.
What powertrain do these two SUVs use?
These two models from the JLR teams use the same powertrain to give them the desired power for driving on and off the roads. The base engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder model that generates 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque.
There’s also a 3.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged 6-cylinder engine that has 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque for the drive. This means much more power for your time behind the wheel.
Currently, the most power for these two SUVs comes from a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine that delivers 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque to the wheels.
In all versions, these impressive models have an 8-speed automatic transmission handling the shifting. These SUVs also provide standard AWD to give you power on all four wheels. This feature is great for the on-road driving of the Jaguar F-Pace and the off-road prowess of the Land Rover Velar.
Which SUV should you choose?
Do you think you’ll take your luxury SUV to the trails for some off-road adventures? If so, you’ll want to drive the Land Rover Velar. This SUV gives you a higher seating position, better off-road equipment, a longer body, and a more conservative interior style.
Would you rather stick to the paved roads? The right choice is the Jaguar F-Pace which has a lower seating position, sportier styling, and impressive driving dynamics.
Will you drive the Jaguar F-Pace or the Land Rover Velar? These are two excellent luxury compact SUV options.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.