Review | Range Rover Evoque - Kensington, the Côte d’Azur, muddy fields…this can do it all
British Weather and the Range Rover Evoque
Here in Blighty, it’s glorious one day and then chilly and hammering it down the next. As my dad used to say, “In this country, we don’t have a climate, we have weather.”
But that’s okay because recently, I was in the latest Range Rover Evoque. I know it’s not the full blown Range Rover or a Defender or Disco, but it can still handle things when the going gets a bit rough.
The Latest Facelifted Evoque
The car you see here is the one I tested (Tribeca Blue with bronze roof and bronze highlights) and is the recently facelifted version of the 2nd generation Evoque. The Evoque has been a major success for Land Rover so there’s no surprise to see that any alternations to the way the car looks and handles have been a case of gentle morphing rather than radical overhaul. Most changes have actually been saved for the interior. It still can’t be mistaken for anything else than an Evoque and the quality is excellent. Okay, it might not have the opulence of the full-blown Range Rover, but the cabin is a lovely place to be.
And yes, because it’s a Land Rover, it has decent off-road credentials.
Prices start at £40,115 (Aug ‘24) which, for this sort of car, is competitive. It’s designed and built here in the UK so it should be well and truly created for our rubbish roads. And it is.
Off-Road Credentials and Versatility
You have three different power options - petrol, Plug-in Electric Hybrid (PHEV) and, shock, diesel. I tried the PHEV which uses a 3-cylinder, 265bhp, 1.5-litre petrol engine giving you a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds, a top speed of 132mph. If you can use the hybrid system to its full extent, it allows close to 40 miles of battery running, and Land Rover reckons you can manage up to 196mpg. Granted, you’re not going to get anywhere near that figure, but it shows the potential for some serious savings and, thanks to the lower Benefit in Kind, this model will appeal to business users. If you have a daily commute in traffic of around 30 miles, you should manage that without using any petrol at all by selecting EV mode. When the engine does eventually join the party, it’s all very smooth.
City Driving and Manoeuvrability
And of course town work is the real reason for the Range Rover Evoque. If you’ve ever driven the full size Range Rover, you’ll know that it’s a bit of a brute to punt around narrow streets. Parking is decidedly tricky. Multi-storey car parks are a nightmare. Yes, you might be able to find a space, but good luck trying to open the doors. You develop a knack of finding a space at the end of a row.
The Evoque however, might look chunky, but it’s the same size as nearly every other SUV. This makes it much more versatile.
Don’t assume that it can’t cope with quicker motorway work because it can. In fact, it’s extremely refined and quiet. It’ll make for excellent holiday motoring.
Diesel and Petrol Variants
Back to the oily stuff. As well as the PHEV you can also get a 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder 161bhp 2.0-litre diesel (0-60mph in 9.5 seconds and 46.7mpg) the same engine but with hybrid assistance. There’s also a 201bhp diesel (0-60mph in 7.9 seconds and 44mpg) and a 158bhp 2.0-litre petrol (0-60mph in 9.7 seconds and 36mpg).
Pricing and Power Options
The PHEV is the most expensive starting at £49,000 in entry level S trim, so you need to do your sums as to whether the potential fuel and tax savings are worth the extra outlay. The PHEV also comes as a 4x4 while the petrol and entry level diesel versions are front wheel drive only. All versions use an auto ‘box apart from the entry level diesel which gets a 6-speed manual.
Exterior and Interior Changes
Exterior Design and Features
As for the changes, it would take a Range Rover Evoque enthusiast to spot the exterior modifications. There is a slightly longer wheelbase and the wheels have grown in size. There’s a new grille, excellent pixel LED headlights and new daytime running lights, but that’s about it.
Interior Technology and Comfort
Hop inside and this is where you’ll see the modifications. As with every Range Rover, it’s modern, plush and downright posh. The dashboard is dominated by an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It’s clever, very hi-tech and works well but, as with a lot of these screens, you get the impression that a whizz kid has designed it, and more specifically, a whizz kid who didn’t actually drive the car. There are no knobs or buttons, although you can juggle things by using buttons on the steering wheel, but it’s not as easy as just sticking a finger on a dashboard button.
Driver Assistance Features and Annoyances
Some of the driver assistance gadgets, especially the speed limit warning, are downright annoying. You can them turn off by scrolling through the touchscreen, but it resets every time you start the car. Arrrggghhh.
Trim Levels and Customisation Options
Dynamic SE Trim and Features
In terms of kit, let’s just say that you get everything you could possibly need. Go for top level Autobiography trim and you get a sliding panoramic sunroof. I like the Dynamic SE trim because this adds a powered tailgate, keyless entry, smart dark grey alloys and an upgraded music system. You can have leather upholstery, but the wool-blend fabric looks terrific. Land Rover says it’ll wear well too.
On-Road and Off-Road Driving Experience
Handling and Comfort
Out on the road, even though this is a car designed for some off-road work, it is plainly aimed at life on the tarmac. It feels very controlled and uncannily quiet unless you floor the throttle. You can tinker with the damper settings but it’s hard to detect any changes, so I just left it in auto mode and let the car take care of everything. There’s hardly any tyre noise.
Off-Road Capabilities
On twisty roads you’d never call the Evoque sporty, but it doesn’t roll around. Bearing this car is in two tonnes territory, it handles really well.
Head off road and you’ll be able to cross muddy fields, rutted tracks and even wade up to a depth of 60cm. It’s no mountain goat, but it’s sufficiently gifted to suit most folk who may occasionally dip a toe off the highway.
Conclusion: The Evolution of the Evoque
The Range Rover Evoque is maturing nicely. It’s also a handy car for Land Rover because it’s likely to tempt buyers into their other models, especially the Velar. The PHEV and mild hybrid engines provide good performance, it has a cushy ride, a seriously premium interior and although the tech can be a bit fiddly, perhaps familiarity will improve the situation.
It’s still a hugely desirable car, no matter what the weather.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Land Rover
