2027 Range Rover Velar redesign.

We’ve been seeing spy shots of the next-generation Range Rover Velar for over a year now. Early prototypes of the new Velar were buried under the usual extremely heavy camouflage. Thick cladding, fake body panels, and confusing lighting signatures did an excellent job of hiding what the engineers were actually testing.

But recently, something has changed.

The latest test vehicles appear to be wearing much lighter camouflage. Those thinner covers are starting to reveal the real shape underneath, and it looks a little “unusual”. In certain angles, the new SUV almost resembles a lifted sedan rather than a traditional mid-size luxury crossover. However, the illustrations above show a more typical, sleeker, SUV shape.

That’s raising some interesting questions about the design direction of the next-gen Range Rover Velar EV.

The upcoming model is expected to ride on JLR’s new EMA (Electrified Modular Architecture) platform. This next-generation architecture will underpin several future electric vehicles from the brand, including upcoming EV versions of the Discovery Sport and Evoque. That means the new Velar won’t simply be an electric variant of the current SUV. It will be part of a much bigger shift toward a dedicated electric lineup.

After more than eight years on sale, the current Velar is clearly approaching the end of its lifecycle, although, just like my beloved Aunt Faye, it still looks remarkably fresh. When the Velar first arrived, it quickly became one of the most talked-about luxury SUVs on the market. Its upscale yet minimalist interior, flush door handles, and sleek proportions made it feel modern and almost concept-car-like.

Even within the stylish Range Rover family, the Velar stood out.

But the luxury SUV segment moves quickly.

Recent prototypes of the next-generation Velar reveal significantly narrower side windows and a noticeably higher beltline compared to today’s model. The greenhouse looks tighter and more compressed, creating a stronger coupe-like profile.

Interestingly, that design direction feels somewhat similar to the upcoming Jaguar “00” electric sedan, though not quite as radical. If the proportions seen in the spy shots are accurate, the new Velar could end up looking very different from its predecessor.

Right now, the Velar starts at around $62,000, which isn’t unreasonable for a luxury SUV wearing the Range Rover badge. However, the fully electric replacement will almost certainly cost more. New EV platforms, large battery packs, and additional technology typically push prices higher.

A starting price closer to $75,000 would not be surprising, especially if Range Rover positions the EV as a more premium, tech-focused model. One that would also go against recent Porsche EVs.

Of course, the big question is whether buyers will see enough value in the redesign to justify that jump.

Sales numbers suggest the Velar could use a fresh start indeed. The SUV had a strong debut year, selling more than 17,000 units in 2018. Since then, demand has steadily cooled. Last year, sales dropped to just 6,370 units, a sharp decline for a model that once helped redefine modern Range Rover design.

Even the 2023 facelift, which introduced updated lighting, revised infotainment, and subtle styling tweaks, wasn’t enough to reverse the trend. That’s not entirely surprising. The luxury market is rapidly shifting toward electric vehicles, and buyers now have more options than ever before. Still, there’s plenty of room for a beautifully designed mid-size luxury EV that doesn’t try too hard to look futuristic. Not everyone wants something as polarizing as the BMW iX, and not every buyer is ready to step into Porsche price territory.

A sleek, well-proportioned electric Velar could fill that space perfectly.

However, if the strange proportions hinted at by the latest spy shots are real, the final design could end up looking a little awkward instead of elegant.

Some online renderings show a possible worst-case scenario: a tall body paired with a sedan-like roofline, a pinched glasshouse, and slightly unusual rear proportions. Aerodynamics are crucial for maximizing EV range, but there’s always a delicate balance between efficiency and visual harmony.

For now, the camouflage may still be playing tricks on us. And hopefully, when the next-generation Range Rover Velar EV finally arrives, it will blend modern EV technology with the understated elegance that made the original Velar such a standout.

But really, who knows…