When Land Rover introduced the Discovery Sport they billed it as the most versatile and capable premium compact SUV in the world.

It was a bold statement, but you can’t blame a company that has been producing some of the finest off-roaders for half a century for having faith in their new addition to the family.

While it might bear the Discovery name, it shares more than a few styling cues with the big-selling Evoque, particularly the rounded nose and black trim around the wheel arches. It also has the same front suspension and transverse engine layout as the baby Range Rover as well as a near identical chassis, at least as far as the B pillar.

From that point, though, it’s all new. The Sport is 91mm longer with a wheelbase that’s grown by 80mm. A sophisticated multi-link rear suspension helps preserve that freshly liberated interior space.

It looks elongated, stretched, but never ungainly. That extra length is clear to see, but the profile remains well balanced and easy on the eye.

Land Rover have used that space well, adding an extra row of seats (albeit strictly for children), and generating class-leading legroom for the second-row passengers. The second row of seats move back and forth so if the legroom isn’t needed, you can increase boot space. Be warned, however, with those seats in their foremost position, taller passengers really will struggle to get comfortable in the back.

Land Rover have recently introduced the Ingenium diesel engine range to the Discovery Sport but, at launch, it was only available with the 188bhp SD4 from the Evoque and Freelander and that is the motor in my test vehicle.

The new engines offer improved refinement, economy and emissions and make the Sport much more competitive so I’m not not going to spend too much time talking about the diesel unit in my test car. Suffice to say that it was reasonably refined, reasonably efficient and reasonably clean. Not at all unreasonable then.

As you would expect, this premium SUV is beautifully put together. The doors, though light, shut with a satisfying thunk and everything that you need to touch - from the door handles to the steering wheel stalks - feels satisfyingly robust and durable. If it all looks a little familiar that’s because a majority of the controls have been lifted straight out of the Evoque.

The dashboard is unmistakeably Land Rover but with some stylish tweaks to add to the premium feel. The clever part is that, while there is an undeniably more upmarket ambience, there remains a utilitarian undertone that will be familiar to drivers of the standard Discovery and, indeed, of the Defender.

The automatic version that I drove was equipped with the rotary gear selector that rises from the transmission tunnel that first popped up, literally, in the Jaguar XF.

I have, in the past, been highly critical of the touchscreen infotainment systems Land Rover – and Jaguar – were installing in their cars. It was simply not good enough for a premium product. So, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the upgraded system is a massive improvement on the old.

The high res eight inch screen is crisp, bright and responsive. The user interface is simple and intuitive and the 3D mapping and straightforward address entry means that the standard sat nav is a doddle to use.

If I have one complaint, and I do, it’s that some of the buttons are a bit of a stretch to reach.

The seats are surprisingly firm, but undeniably comfortable. They’re heated and cooled too, just to make sure that you’re totally relaxed whatever the weather. There’s plenty of head and legroom for occupants in the front and the high seating position and generous glass area guarantees an excellent view of your surroundings out of the front three-quarters at least.

It's a different story out the back, however, and you'll be grateful for all the parking assistance you can get.

Despite the engine’s lack of refinement Land Rover have done a commendable job of soundproofing the cabin so that, at cruising speeds, there’s just a distant hum audible from beneath the bonnet. Wind and road noise is conspicuous by its absence, creating a relaxed and tranquil passenger space.

The nine-speed automatic is a £1,800 option but it’s worth the extra outlay. It’s smooth, responsive and doesn’t miss a beat, making the most of the engine’s substantial mid-range grunt. Performance is improved as well, with the 0-60mph sprint dropping from 9.8 seconds in the manual to a rather impressive 8.4 seconds in the automatic.

Although the ride feels on the firm side at low speeds, as you pick up the pace it quickly becomes more composed, insulating the cabin from most surface imperfections.

The electrically assisted steering is a touch on the vague side, but it is precise and direct, and the car feels nimble and sure-footed through a series of tight and twisty bends. Land Rover have done an admirable job of keeping body roll to a minimum too.

There’s no doubting the Discovery Sport’s pedigree or its heritage. The build quality is first class and, while its premium credentials are there for all to see, it retains a robustness that suggests you could get a lifetime’s worth of motoring from it, should you choose to.

The infotainment system is a significant and very welcome upgrade and, although it remains a little way short of the very best, is certainly more worthy of the premium vehicles that it resides in.

Despite its height, it handles rather well too, and there’s certainly fun to be found if you want to exploit the capable chassis through the countryside. That it remains a capable and relaxed motorway cruiser is testament to the excellent work Land Rover engineers have done on the suspension.

For all its excellence, however, the Discovery Sport is somewhat let down by its engine. That will change, though, with the introduction of the Ingenium engines to the range. Until then, it may not be the best, but it is brilliant.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Price: £42,995

As tested: £44,295

Engine: 2.2-litre SD4 diesel

Transmission: 9-speed automatic driving all four wheels

Power: 187bhp

Torque: 310lbft @1,750rpm

Maximum speed: 117mph

Acceleration (0-60mph): 8.4sec

Combined: 44.8mpg

Emissions (CO2): 166g/km

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