Land Rover would tell you that the new Discovery Sport is much more than just a tweaked Freelander. It’s part of the Discovery family ‘leisure’ brand – that’s for families who need space and like to get their wheels muddy once in a blue moon.

Range Rover (that’s Evoque, Sport and full-fat model) is for people who seek luxury. Which leaves the forthcoming new Defender to mop up the rest and be more of an all-rounder than the original, hardcore version. What a shame!

Anyway, I’m pleased to report that the Disco Sport is good. It’s very good in fact and will tick just about every box you want it to. That includes Space – tick, Practicality – tick, Badge image – tick, and Comfort – tick.

As Car Couture likes to consider styling a priority too, I can’t claim to be blown away by the Sport. It looks as bland as the rest of the SUV offerings on the market and there’s precious little premium ‘feel’ about the cabin.

Tons of kit yes but there’s nothing BMW/Audi about the quality…

Hyundai Santa Fe, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5 – premium brand SUVs that family drivers everywhere secretly coo over in the supermarket car park.

The old Land Rover Freelander was part of the same pack but never quite got over the dull image of the first generation model. Shame really, because the final Freelander II was a bloody good motor.

Land Rover is unashamedly targeting this huge corner of the market with the Sport – and judging by first impressions, it’s going to do very well indeed.

On the driveway today is the e-Capability – the brand new eco version.

I’m worried because the figures suggest it’s sluggish, 0-60mph in 11 seconds. The full-fat Discovery Sport with 178bhp has very decent mpg already and is quite sprightly by comparison.

Do we need a lighter more frugal version? Join us for a week to find out….