LAND Rover’s Range Rover brand has slowly grown over the years as the market shifts from passenger cars to SUVs, satiating the burgeoning demand for premium, off-road capable crossovers.

With the flagship Range Rover sitting at the top of the family tree, the large Range Rover Sport perched below and the small-sized stylish Evoque as the entry into the line-up, the British brand has now introduced the mid-sized Velar to bridge the gap between its models.

Based on the same platform as its Jaguar sister brand’s F-Pace, the Velar SUV arrives with an emphasis on design, style and finish to compete against other premium crossover offerings such as the BMW X3/X4, Porsche Macan, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC/GLC Coupe.

However, being a Range Rover, the Velar brings with it commendable off-road credibility with features such as a rear-locking centre differential, Terrain Response and all-wheel drive as standard.

Can Range Rover deliver both style and substance in the ultra-competitive, German-dominated premium SUV segment?