Surely it's not supposed to be a Land Rover Defender... Anyway, here in Switzerland you drive more on snow than off road.
I think its far more simpler than that. They buy for styling and character which is influenced by capabilities they're not entirely aware of. Most people are scared to pop the hood and wouldn't know where to start.Many people buy cars based on capabilities that they never plan on fully exploring. We are seeing a trend with newer crossovers to be focused around outdoor lifestyles and that's probably why JLR felt the need to ensure the E Pace could handle light off roading. The I-Pace was put through nearly identical tests.
Its why I can't wait for EV's to come out from JLR. Flooding shouldn't be much of a concern due to how well sealed they might be compared to ICE vehicles.Good AWD and high ground clearance are also important in sunny Southern California where our unpredictable rain season brings heavy downpours that make the roads slippery or flooded (8 inches in some places).