Range Rover Evoque review: Classy SUV no longer the force it used to be, but still attractive

The Range Rover Evoque isn’t as fashionable as it used to be, but it remains a solid choice for those who want Range Rover kudos without paying too much for the privilege.

It’s particularly cost-conscious in plug-in hybrid form, blending the smallest petrol engine ever seen in a Range Rover with an electrified drivetrain to deliver the first Evoque that can run in pure EV form.

By today’s standards, the battery isn’t the biggest, which means real-world range isn’t the best either. But it still allows for a good amount of pure electric running, especially if you drive primarily in the suburban areas the Evoque likes to call home. The petrol engine is ready and waiting when you want to go ahead.

As the most compact Range Rover, the Evoque is also the easiest to drive. It is less than 4.5 meters long and has good visibility with a high seating position, taking the stress out of driving. It’s also enjoyable, with good handling and a comfortable ride. Although most people won’t venture beyond muddy ground, the Evoque is also quite impressive off-road.

Then there’s its smartly designed interior. It’s made from good quality materials and Land Rover offers some beautiful color and trim combinations, including a wonderful durable fabric called Kvadrat. Its infotainment system is also top notch. There are more spacious small SUVs around, but few that make you feel as special as this one.

How we tested

I attended the launch of the second generation Range Rover Evoque in Greece and later spent a week with a guy here in the UK. This gave me plenty of time to test the plug-in hybrid technology as well as conduct family-friendly practicality testing.

Independent Rating: 7/10

Range Rover Evoque Specifications

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

The Range Rover Evoque has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine combined with a fairly powerful 108hp electric motor. This gives a total system output of 270hp for 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds. It’s a strong performer, although that three-cylinder layout is hardly the most refined, and it will feel a little busy when driven hard.

At 12.1kWh, the battery isn’t the largest, with a range of 39 miles according to official testing. Land Rover says realistic range will be around 30 miles, which seems a bit low these days, given the age of the Evoque’s core technology. However, it has DC rapid charging, which allows an 80 percent top-up in about half an hour.

The Range Rover Evoque is a great car to drive. It exudes confidence, assured handling, a good feel through the steering and easy maneuverability on tight roads. The steering feels particularly precise in town, which will help keep the pricier alloy wheel options off the curb.

The Evoque is even more capable with optional Adaptive Dynamics technology. As the name suggests, the adaptive suspension adapts itself to the road surface in real time, meaning it can overcome even the worst surfaces.

The Range Rover Evoque is also ensured off-road, with Terrain Response 2 configurable settings coming as standard on all models. With a variety of mode options including mud and ruts, sand, grass-gravel-snow and rest, there’s a setup you need to get the most out of whatever road you’re on. Or you can leave it in Auto and let the car decide which mode is best.

Interior, practicality and boot space

The interior of the Range Rover Evoque is in line with the premium connotations of the British monarchy’s favorite SUV brand. Constant updates in color and trim options have helped it keep pace with fashion, and importantly stay a few steps ahead of the competition.

Even a standard Range Rover Evoque looks quite fancy, and becomes so as you move up through the range. The Autobiography models are positively gorgeous, and that’s before you even start prepping things up by sifting through the wide range of options.

It’s really comfortable. The seats are supportive and you get two individual sliding armrests on the center console, just like the larger Range Rover. Careful design has helped maximize visibility.

Rear seat space isn’t the most spacious, but it makes the most of what it has. It’s easy to get in and out of and has enough room for adult-sized legs and knees. Headroom is decent, even with the panoramic glass roof.

The boot is also practical. There’s 472 liters of space, and the studious design has helped ensure there’s plenty of side-by-side room for golf clubs, or two carry-on suitcases stacked side by side for a long haul.

Technology, Stereo and Infotainment

The Range Rover Evoque has a great infotainment system that uses the company’s own in-house Pivi Pro technology. The latest models use a larger 11.4-inch curved glass screen, a freestanding setup that is an improvement over the smaller-format displays of earlier models.

This infotainment system is a pleasure to use. The crisp graphics look gorgeous and the system is snappy and quick, with most things accessible without having to go deep into submenus. It can also help you locate public DC rapid chargers while on the go. It is supported by digital driver display.

My only complaint is that the climate controls are now integrated into the screen, rather than having their own dedicated controls at the bottom; That space has now been given over to a wireless smartphone charger (naturally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard).

The regular six-speaker sound system is fine, but you’ll really want one of the Meridian premium setups. The Dynamic SE features a 400W system with 11 speakers, a subwoofer and Meridian digital sound processing. The Autobiography builds on this with a 650W system with 14 speakers and Meridian’s detail-boosting Trifield technology.

Integrated Spotify helps you get the most out of your premium sound system. Amazon Alexa is also built into the Piwi Pro technology – and owners can even interact with their vehicle remotely using the Land Rover Remote skill on the Alexa device.

There is technology you can do without on the Range Rover Evoque, keep in mind. Top of the list here is the ‘ClearSight’ rear view mirror. It integrates a video monitor into the regular rear-view mirror, so you can see a live feed of what’s behind instead of a plain old mirror. Its purpose is to help increase visibility, say, when there are passengers behind you – but because your eyes have to re-focus every so often, it’s really unpleasant to use. This is very first generation technology which is best avoided.

Prices and operating costs

Prices for the Range Rover Evoque Plug-in Hybrid start at around £49,000. This may be a surprise to those unfamiliar with how expensive modern cars have become, but it’s roughly par for the course – and that’s around £4,500 more than an entry-level non-hybrid model. As you move up through the trim line-up, or start consulting the options list, the Range Rover Evoque gets even more expensive. Like a big Range Rover, you can outfit a very rich and luxurious Evoque… but it’ll cost you.

It should be cheap on fuel, especially since the 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine is quite efficient overall. You won’t achieve anything near the official figure of 201mpg, but a good 40mpg is achievable.

Range Rover Evoque Rival

questions to ask

How long does it take to charge?

The Range Rover Evoque has Rapid DC charging as standard, allowing the battery to be fully charged in 30 minutes at a public charger. Using a domestic wall box takes about two hours.

How much does it cost – is it worth it?

The Range Rover Evoque line-up starts at around £45,000 and the plug-in hybrid version costs more than £49,000. This makes it an expensive machine – but the plug-in hybrid premium isn’t as hefty as it could be.

Does Land Rover replace batteries for free?

The Range Rover Evoque Plug-in Electric Hybrid has an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty for its high-voltage battery.

Why trust us?

Our team of motoring experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are tailored with every type of driver in mind. We thoroughly test every car we recommend, so you can be sure our judgments are honest, fair and authentic.

Decision

The Range Rover Evoque has always been a popular model, but in recent years it has become a forgotten icon as parent company JLR has focused on more profitable full-size Range Rovers. However, it’s still worth checking out, even if it’s not the most recent model.