Range Rover Evoque: Road Test

There's more to the new compact Rangie than just show stopping looks and an endless options list...

If fortune favours the brave then Range Rover is going to make a lot of bank. The Evoque represents a new era in the 42-year-old brand's history, thanks to a courageous design, one that hasn't changed dramatically from the 2008 concept car. But this is a vehicle that also pushes the boundaries for the English off-road specialist - it's also the smallest, lightest and most efficient Range Rover ever made.

That it's a nice vehicle to drive on-road is certainly a boon (a lot of people will find this car desirable based on aesthetics alone) but the Evoque has the potential to change the way we look at SUVs.

What was originally a utilitarian vehicle used by farmers or those in rural regions, the humble SUV has gradually become a different breed of vehicle, and the Evoque has fast tracked this evolution - to impressive effect.

It all starts with the design, which is arguably the most important aspect for the target market - well heeled young professionals. First impressions include the ultra slim headlights and modern grille work, a coupe-like profile that draws the eye towards the rear with its narrowing glass work, finished off with flared wheel arches to give it a stocky stance.

Seated in the captain's chair, the view is grand. Even in the entry-level SD4 Evoque Pure tested ($59,875 including options) there's plenty to marvel at, starting with the rotator-style automatic gear shifter that rises up out of its recess (a la Jaguar).

There's also stitched fabric on almost every surface including the dashboard, a stylish instrument cluster with translucent elements, comfortable leather-clad seats and an uncluttered centre stack thanks to an electric park brake.

The interior is generally very good - everything feels great save for the area around the heating/cooling controls which looks somewhat cheap and plasticky but doesn't detract too much from the premium ambience.

The steering wheel is lavish, covered with smooth leather and high quality buttons for cruise control and Bluetooth, and the high riding position provides a good view of the environment ahead. Rearward vision is average thanks to the slim line rear windscreen, however.

There are several standard features such as keyless entry, push-button starting and hill start assist that make living with the Evoque that little bit easier, while LED fog lights and 17-inch alloy wheels add a little eye candy to the exterior. Climate control air-con is nice, as is the touch-sensitive map lights and voice control recognition for Bluetooth telephony.

While the front seat occupants get plenty of room to stretch, the rear seat offers less leg room - but it's not what you'd call cramped. A decent-sized boot (575 litres) expands to swallow flat-pack furniture. It'll even tow up to an 1800kg payload if you option the tow pack.

The Evoque is well suited to the daily grind, with the 140kW/420Nm four-cylinder turbodiesel matched to a six-speed auto providing the car with an abundance of acceleration. Officially, it does the 100km/h sprint in 8.5secs... not too shabby for an SUV.

There is a touch of turbo lag on the direct injection diesel in some mid-gear situations - gun the throttle and at times the Evoque will hesitate - but by and large it’s a smooth and refined oiler, and a far cry from the clattery diesel that used to power the Freelander.

We also tested the turbo petrol engine and found it to be even more refined and responsive than the diesel, though it's pairing with the auto transmission wasn't quite so fluid.

The Evoque also returns respectable economy figures. Land Rover claims an average of 6.5L/100km but I could only manage 8.9L/100km.

The Evoque is not as big as it looks in pictures. Measuring 4365mm in length (shorter than some small cars), the car's compact dimensions combine with a good turning circle to make parking easy. Fair dinkum, this is one of the easiest SUVs I've ever parked - parallel, reverse, you name it.

Also impressive is how well the Evoque navigates tight inner city laneways and dense traffic, and after piloting the car through various environments, it becomes clear the vehicle's natural habitat is the urban jungle.

On country roads the Evoque offers predictable and self assured handling. The electric power steering is well-weighted and direct for this sort of vehicle, and the suspension tune is somewhat sporty, so you can throw it into a corner without it tipping over. It's not sportscar sharp, but handles the curves well for a high-riding SUV.

The Evoque has plenty of offroad pedigree in its DNA and has no trouble climbing hills thanks to the torquey engine and AWD assistance systems, with several traction modes at the driver's fingertips. It also comes with descent control. The only thing holding the Evoque back from serious offroad tracks is its ride height, or lack thereof.

For an SUV the Evoque is remarkably easy to live with and has the sort of fit and finish you'd expect of a premium German brand - and I'm not talking about VW. It's fun to drive with a real vitality thanks to the high output 2.2-litre diesel tested here and retains sufficient practicality despite the show-stopping design.


Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site