Is the Range Rover Evoque a good car for a new driver?
The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is the British marque’s most compact model and is the most affordable new Range Rover model currently on sale. Does this make this premium crossover a good option for those lucky enough to be shopping in this price bracket for their first vehicle?
The Evoque has been a revelation for Land Rover’s Range Rover premium marque since the first generation was introduced in 2011, allowing the once super premium brand to market a more attainable vehicle for people with a lower budget and the desire for something more compact. Now in its second generation, the Evoque makes use of all the ingredients that made its predecessor so popular and expands upon them, providing a premium compact crossover SUV
It's not exactly a budget car…
The Evoque may be the most affordable Range Rover with pricing starting at R897 662, however, that makes it R675 562 more than an entry-level Volkswagen Polo Vivo, South Africa’s most popular passenger car, to put things into perspective.
There are used options, many which can be had for less than the cost of the aforementioned Polo Vivo however, maintenance costs on Land Rover products can be prohibitive. If you feel as though you can deal with the maintenance costs, there are many used Range Rover Evoque models listed on AutoTrader.
Does it offer what you are looking for?
Sure, the Evoque is stylish both inside and out, but what does it offer in terms of features, performance, and fuel economy? There are several specification grades for the Evoque range, including a standard, an ‘S’, the Lafayette Edition, the R-Dynamic SE, R-Dynamic HSE, and the Autobiography, with each ascending specification-grade providing more kit.
The engine options within the range include a 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor in the D200 that produces 147kW and 430Nm of torque, providing a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.4L/100km and a 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds. The P250 model is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 184kW and 365Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.6 seconds and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 7.9L/100km. The final powertrain available is the P300e, which combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor to produced 227kW and 540Nm of torque, providing an all-electric range of 68km, a combined fuel consumption figure of 1.9L/100km and a 0-100km/h time of 6.4 seconds. This means that none of the Evoque variants are excessively fast or heavy on fuel, a positive thing for someone who is new to driving.
Safety is also a key consideration, making the Evoque's 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating impressive, as is its 5-year full maintenance contract, providing peace of mind in terms of both safety and servicing, which are important for all drivers.
Smaller budget? Why not opt for a Haval Jolion?
For less than half of the price of a sparsely specified Evoque, you can get yourself Haval’s Jolion, a stylish, Chinese alternative that is incredibly well-specified, comparatively cheap and stylish both inside and out. The brand may not have the same cache, but trust us, it is worth a look after test driving an Evoque.
Verdict
