Range Rover Evoque Review

The all-new Evoque is even more stylish than before and better equipped but the rear interior is still a little cramped

Strengths & weaknesses

  • Extremely stylish
  • Excellent off-road credentials
  • High standard equipment level
  • Some very high prices
  • Rear seats slightly cramped
  • Automatic gearbox easily confused

Range Rover Evoque prices from £12,440   Finance from £250.99 per month

‘If it ain't broke, improve it but keep it looking a lot like its predecessor’. That seems to have been the order to the designers and engineers of the second-generation Range Rover Evoque. The old model was good looking, and this new one maintains much of the original design features including the low, swoopy roof and bulky front end. It has also inherited some features from its luxurious larger sibling, the Range Rover Velar.

The Evoque is a compact SUV and competes in a market alongside the Volvo XC40, Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Despite its smaller size it's still a very luxurious car, especially in R-Dynamic trim, as it's gained even more technology as standard including a Wi-Fi hotspot for constant connectivity.

Don't let the coupe style fool you; the Evoque is not among the sharpest SUVs to drive. It's still big, tall and bulky, but you get a whole lot of comfort and relaxation instead. To that end, most versions come with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, although if money’s tight there’s an optional six-speed manual gearbox with the lowest powered diesel engine. That entry-level model is front-wheel drive, too, while the more expensive models all come with four-wheel drive.

Clean design, high quality materials and modern entertainment are hallmarks of the Evoque’s interior. It’s easy to find your ideal driving position thanks to a multi-adjustable seat. There’s plenty of space in the front but the sloping roof, which also impinges on headroom, reduces rearward visibility. Add a slight lack of legroom and the rear interior is far from ideal for anyone taller than six feet. The boot is larger than before and on a par with rivals.

 

Key facts

Warranty Three years
Boot size 472 litres
Width 1,996mm
Length 4,371mm
Height 1,649mm
Tax £210 to £855 in the first year; £145 to £465 in the second

Best Land Rover Range Rover Evoque for...

Best for Economy – Range Rover Evoque D150 2WD

Thanks to its more efficient two-wheel-drive system and manual gearbox, this is the most economical Evoque with a combined figure of 44.9mpg.

Best for Families – Range Rover Evoque D180 S 4WD auto

Most families will find even entry-level Evoque spec has most of the things they expect but S pack brings welcome refinements including heated leather seats, sat-nav and traffic sign recognition.

Best for Performance – Range Rover Evoque P300 R-Dynamic HSE

The P300 petrol engine is the most powerful engine, capable of taking the Evoque from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds; almost one second faster than the next most powerful engine, the P250. R-Dynamic trim brings sporty body and interior detailing plus smarter alloy wheels.

One to Avoid – Range Rover Evoque D150 R-Dynamic S 2WD

If you’re counting the pennies, basic Evoque trim with two-wheel drive and a manual gearbox makes sense but having it in the most expensive R-Dynamic S form cancels out those benefits. Your money would be spent on the Evoque D180 AWD auto.

History

  • 2019 All-new model launched. Replaces first-generation Evoque launched in 2011.
  • 2021 HST trim launched, based on R-Dynamic S, only available with 2.0-litre P300 engine.

Understanding Land Rover Range Rover Evoque names

Trim R-Dynamic

There are two core trims, plus a third called First Edition that was available for the first year only.

Specification pack S

There are three of these called S, SE and HSE. They each represent a different level of equipment and are based on each of the two trims, as in R-Dynamic S.

Engine D150

All engines are a choice of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel units, distinguished by D for diesel and P for petrol, each available in a choice of three power outputs, as in D150 which means 150hp diesel.

Drive AWD

All engines bar the D150 are teamed with all-wheel-drive (also called four-wheel drive) systems, meaning all four wheels can be powered. Meanwhile, the manual gearbox version of the D150 is available with front-wheel drive but its automatic counterpart is offered only with four-wheel drive.

Gearbox Auto

All engines bar the D150 are teamed with nine-speed automatic gearboxes. In front-wheel-drive form the D150 is available with a six-speed manual gearbox but where four-wheel drive is specified, only with the automatic gearbox.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Engines

Diesel: D150, D180, D240 Petrol: P200, P250, P300

The Evoque is available with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, each offered in three power outputs. They’re mild hybrid units meaning that assuming the battery has sufficient charge, they can drive under electric power alone at speeds below 11mph when coasting or braking. The system also boosts acceleration.

Most of the engines are paired with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox, the exception being the low-power D150 diesel which is available with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox. The auto gearbox is efficient and the four-wheel-drive system is an on-demand one meaning that when it’s not required, the car defaults to front-wheel drive to save fuel.

Like for like, the diesel engines are around 10mpg more economical than the petrols. However, they cost around £1,600 more to buy in the first place so you should consider whether your annual mileage justifies their extra cost.

The D180 engine is economical and usefully more powerful than the basic D150 unit.

The P300 petrol engine is the most powerful engine, capable of taking the Evoque from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds; almost one second faster than the next most powerful engine, the P250.

 

Fuel

Fuel economy

Power

Acceleration

Top speed

D150

Diesel

39.9-44.9mpg

150hp

0-62mph: 10.5-11.2s

122-125mph

D180

Diesel

41.3mpg

180hp

0-62mph: 9.3s

127mph

D240

Diesel

40.4mpg

240hp

0-62mph: 7.7s

140mph

P200

Petrol

30.7mpg

200hp

0-62mph: 8.5s

134mph

P250

Petrol

30.4mpg

249hp

0-62mph: 7.5s

143mph

P300

Petrol

30.3mpg

300hp

0-62mph: 6.6s

150mph

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Trims

Evoque, R-Dynamic, First Edition Specification packs: S, SE, HSE

Confusingly, the Evoque is available in a choice of Evoque or Evoque R-Dynamic trims, on which you can specify a choice of three specification packs called S, SE and HSE.

Alternatively, you can have the car without a specification pack, when it’s just called an Evoque or an Evoque R-Dynamic.

Land Rover has shot itself in the foot to a degree because the equipment level in the standard Evoque without any specification pack fitted is so good you’d have to wonder why you need to spend more.

Highlights of the standard Evoque include LED headlights, heated windscreen, heated seats in the front, Land Rover’s 10-inch Touch Pro entertainment system with digital radio and Bluetooth, a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, and electric windows all-round.

All you might wish for is leather seats and sat-nav but these are provided by S spec, the next pack up which costs around £3,000 more. This spec also adds a Wi-Fi hotspot as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

HSE brings 'Touch Pro Duo', a media system comprising two screens, as well as more safety kit and more luxury.

The value of R-Dynamic trim is that it enhances the exterior look of the already stylish Evoque with smarter alloy wheels and sporty detailing featuring burnished copper. It’s very effective. At the same time, the interior is treated to bright metal pedals and chrome treadplates. R-Dynamic adds around £1,500 to the price and is a cost-effective way of improving a basic Evoque without moving up to S spec.

First Edition models are only available for the first year of sale. These models get a raft of features over R-Dynamic cars - including 20-inch alloy wheels, a black contrast roof, a Meridian sound system, and a suite of safety and navigation software improvements.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Reliability and warranty

It’s too early in its life to say whether the new Evoque is more or less reliable than its predecessor. However that model charted at 42, or around mid-table in the Auto Express Driver Power 2018 owner satisfaction survey behind other premium and sub-premium SUVs including the Audi Q3, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 3008.

However, Land Rover will draw some comfort from the fact that the Evoque’s sister car, the Discovery Sport, launched in 2015, ranked 24th.

Like most cars, the Evoque has a three-year warranty. This is standard among premium brands.

Used Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

There’s no reason to suppose the new Evoque won't be as popular as its predecessor, and that used and nearly new models won't soon be plentiful. The least popular version is likely to be the D150 2WD manual. On the other hand, it’s likely to be a relative bargain as a used car and in a plain colour.

Mid-table versions such as the D180 SE offering a good level of luxury and decent power and economy are likely to be in demand on the used market. More expensive versions will bring the model into contention with talented rivals such as the new BMW X3.

Diesel cars will dominate sales and be popular new and used but used car buyers whose mileage is low are likely to find bargains among petrol-powered Evoques such as the P250 SE.

Other Editions

Range Rover Evoque (2011 – 2019)

Designer SUV is stylish with great off-road ability

Range Rover Evoque Convertible (2016 – 2019)

As a luxury convertible SUV, the Range Rover Evoque is stylish but not very practical