RAM 1500 vs Range Rover Velar

What's the difference?

Fancy a Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Toyota HiLux Rogue or Isuzu D-Max Blade, but need something that’s a bit bigger, bolder and brawnier?

Behold the Ram 1500 Rebel. No, not a Rambler Rebel from the Mad Men era, but a full-sized pick-up truck that’s aimed at younger and/or more-adventure-minded buyers.

Rivalling the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, it brings a sporty off-road vibe to Australia’s best-selling big US-made ute. Let’s check it out.

The new Range Rover Velar P400e Dynamic HSE, or P400e for short, is the first Velar offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. In theory, this should make it a solid contender for those wanting a luxury SUV that produces a smaller and greener footprint.

It’s not as big as its Range Rover siblings, so if you’re after a sleeker Rangie that can do some 'mild' adventuring on the weekends while still looking flash during the week, this may be the one you’re looking for.

It faces competition from the BMW X5, Volvo XC90 and… at a stretch, the Porsche Cayenne. I’ve spent a week with the mid-level P400e Velar to see how it stacks up for everyday use.