2019 Range Rover Evoque - First Drive

By Lawrence Minnie

We attended a special launch for this new model that was in-line with the exceptional qualities of the new Range Rover and this is what we found.

Live in the city, love the outdoors

Parking the new 2019 Range Rover Evoque alongside the previous generation model will leave you hard-pressed to spot the differences.

Trust me though, they are there. Add them all together and the new Evoque becomes a sum of all its parts and stands head and shoulders above the previous model.

The launch took place at Jaguar Land Rover's new multi-million rand experience complex in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. This would turn out to be a very special occasion, as this was the first time we had attended a night launch and would be driving on their custom off-road course in complete darkness, guided only by instructors brandishing multicoloured glow sticks.

Before we get to to the drive, let's take a look at what makes the 2019 Range Rover Evoque all-new even though it still bears a striking resemblance to the previous generation.

What's new?

The new Evoque is built on a completely new mixed-material Premium Transverse Architecture. This means that the new model is still 4.37 metres long but gains an extra 22mm on its wheelbase. This means more room and extra storage space in the updated interior. Luggage space is 10 per cent larger (591 litres) as well as much wider with space increasing to 1,383 litres when the flexible 40:20:40 second-row seats are folded.

The interior has also had a facelift, gaining parts and fitment from its big brother Range Rover and Velar models. The rotary selector dial is gone and in its place a stylish gear selector knob. 

The Evoque also gains the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system combining two sleek 10-inch high-definition glass touchscreens, a 12.3-inch driver display behind the steering wheel and full-colour head-up display and a host of other tech such as the new smart rear-view mirror that transforms into an HD video screen at the touch of a button and the multi-camera setup that gives you ClearSight Ground View – the realisation of Land Rover’s transparent bonnet concept previewed on the Discovery Vision concept.

On and offroad capability

The new Evoque also gets the Terrain Response 2 system. Drivers can now choose from four modes (Comfort, Sand, Grass-Gravel-Snow, and Mud & Ruts) to optimise performance and capability, but the new Auto mode enables Evoque to select the most appropriate mode for the conditions and automatically adjust its torque delivery to suit the terrain.

Coupled with a vast array of driver aids such as Hill Descent Control, Gradient Release Control and All-Terrain Progress Control the Evoque has become more than just a Sandton grocery getter and now has the chops to take on some serious offroad terrain.

The Ingenium engines and ZF transmissions have been tweaked and refined to produce an even better driving experience across the range and it delivers in spades.

Exterior tweaks

As stated earlier you will be hard pressed to sport the differences between old and new but once they are pointed out to you they change the look of the vehicle completely.

Up front, a new set of Matrix LED headlights change the overall look, Down the side, you now get flush mount door handles as found on the Velar, around the back new tail lamps sit just below a new piano black body panel that sweeps across the tailgate.

Verdict

On their own, it doesn't sound like these changes make much of a difference but in reality, it builds, refines and finishes what was already a very beautiful car. The drive is, of course, superb a 350 km round trip went by in a minute while the tech, comfort and convenience make it an effortless drive.

Jaguar Land Rover has made an already iconic vehicle even better, albeit incrementally and I personally can't wait to get this on a test review.

New Range Rover Evoque pricing

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 D 132kW D180                                              R734300

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 D 132kW D180 S                                           R784300

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 D 132kW D180 SE                                        R843800

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 D 132kW D180 R-Dynamic S                   R813000

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 D 132kW D180 R-Dynamic SE                R872500

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 D 132kW D180 R-Dynamic HSE              R920200

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 D 132kW D180 First Edition                     R945900

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 P 183kW P250                                                R776300

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 P 183kW P250 S                                             R826300

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 P 183kW P250 SE                                          R885800

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 P 183kW P250 R-Dynamic S                   R855000

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 P 183kW P250 R-Dynamic SE                 R914500

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 P 183kW P250 R-Dynamic HSE              R962300

Range Rover Evoque 5 Door 2.0 P 183kW P250 First Edition                      R987900