THERE has arguably never been a better time to be Land Rover. As our more affluent nation snaps up a greater number of expensive cars and, in particular, premium SUV models, the British brand has become positioned to leverage its vast experience in building off-road-focused vehicles.

Land Rover, it would seem, has not been content with a segment-leading share of the $70K-plus large SUV class with its two-pronged Discovery and Range Rover Sport attack.

Nor is it even finished with a majority share of the $60K-plus medium SUV class with its Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque duo.

Enter a third contender in that segment, the Range Rover Velar. It is larger and more opulent than Evoque, but smaller than a Sport, and tested here in range-topping P380 First Edition specification.