Its impeccable balance and sure-footed capabilities were more than a match for the blizzard conditions brought about by last weekend’s ‘mini beast from the east.’

And - amid plunging temperatures - the ability of the sumptuous seats to pump some heat through your shuddering bones at the mere press of a button was a godsend.

Then, of course, there’s a massage function to help the driver and front seat passenger relax if the weather or traffic are causing stress.

Oh yes, the Range Rover Velar has some neat tricks up its sleeve and an interior with a genuine wow factor.

Then again, it jolly well should have when you consider that this high-spec version comes with a price tag of more than £64,000 which, let’s be honest, is aimed at people for whom money is little or no obstacle.

However, if you don’t want to add options and are happy with the entry model, pricing starts at a more reasonable £45,000 for the Velar, which is aimed at the upper end of the mid-sized luxury SUV market.

In terms of engines, there’s an extensive range of 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, or a 3.0-litre diesel motor for those craving even more grunt.

The 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel unit, tested here, is more than capable of getting a move on, smoothly propelling the Velar from 0-62 in 6.8 seconds, which feels pretty swift for a sizeable vehicle.

And there’s enough range in the engine to ensure it continues to pulls well once you get up to motorway speeds, meaning the 500Nm of torque is available pretty much as and when you require it.

If you need a sudden burst of pace, progress is aided by the eight-speed automatic gearbox, which kicks down swiftly when called upon to do so.

As well as being able to accelerate swiftly, the Velar is also good at stopping quickly, helped by 325mm brakes at both the front and back.

When cornering, the Velar virtually feels as though it’s on rails, such is its poise and balance.

There isn’t any noticeable body roll, while the weighty steering gives you confidence when setting the vehicle up for tighter corners. The trustworthy handling, not to mention superb traction, were especially valuable in last Saturday night’s heavy snowfall, when the Velar made light work of the hilly journey home when many others had been forced to abandon their vehicles.

The Velar’s market positioning suggests it’ll be used off road even less than other Range Rover models, but it still offers class-leading ground clearance of up to 251mm, class-leading wading depth of up to 650mm and Land Rover’s wide range of traction technologies including optional ‘Terrain Response 2’ and ‘All Terrain Progress Control’ systems.

Official figures suggests the Velar is capable of 48.7 mpg on the combined economy cycle, but you’d have to drive with real restraint to get anywhere near that. In real world conditions, my fuel consumption was closer to 30mpg.

In terms of looks, the Velar is instantly recognisable as a Range Rover thanks to the floating roof and clamshell bonnet.

The stylish, uncluttered exterior design is matched by the Velar’s perfectly-crafted interior, which is certainly a match for the high standards set by premium German SUV rivals.

You sit in what the brand calls a ‘Sports-Command’ position on front seats that balance performance-oriented design and support with opulent comfort.

The seats also offer up to 20-way adjustment and heating, cooling and massage functions. Sitting in the centre of the dash are a pair of high-definition 10-inch touchscreens. These are part of the impressive ‘Touch Pro Duo’ infotainment system that’s operated by two multi-function rotary controllers.

With its power, practicality and luxurious interior, the Velar is a tempting contender for anyone with plenty of brass to spare!

THE LOWDOWN

Range Rover Velar HSE D240

PRICE: £64,160 on the road

ENGINE: 2.0-litre diesel twin turbo

TRANSMISSION: 8 -speed automatic, all-wheel drive

ACCELERATION: 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds

TOP SPEED: 135mph

ECONOMY: 48.7mpg combined and emissions of 154g/km