The first-generation Evoque was a smash hit globally, and the latest one is still charging ahead in the luxury crossover space. The baby Land Rover is a desirable proposition despite the changing times in the motoring industry. Competition is still stiff, but what does the current Evoque offer?
Related: Land Rover Reviews
Our test vehicle was the P300e HSE Dynamic, the plug-in hybrid variant with a few extra bits fitted to sweeten the deal. Here's what I thought of the vehicle.
Pros
- Interior materials achieve the luxury feel
- The powerplant is potent and delivers effortless performance
Cons
- Safety sensors are a little too sensitive
- Larger competitors in the price segment may be more appealing
Styling
The Evoque here follows a horizontal motif. This is evidenced by plenty of rectangular design cues and clever executions of reducing negative space and design cue proportions. The Evoque still uses signature items seen on its bigger siblings to good effect. In front, you don't see the typical gargantuan-sized air dams and grilles prevalent on many modern cars, but more conservative ones. Slim Pixel headlamps with DRLS, slim bumper slats and bezels, and a small faux bashplate are present, and the Range Rover badging crowns it all.
Along the side, the signature Range Rover silhouette is there: the arched A-pillar that angles down towards the C-pillar. This goes along with the bulging wheel arches and hard body crease line that runs from the tail lamp to the front wheel arch that houses the 20-inch Style 1085 Diamond Turned alloys. Retractable door handles are present, too.
The slim horizontal motif continues into the rear with the main light bar and the lower secondary bar running parallel with the lower faux diffuser. Our test vehicle was finished in Tribeca Blue and the nifty Burnished Copper Highlights, a lovely subtle addition. No chrome in sight. Time has passed, but the Evoque still is a looker with clever design execution that maximises its appeal.
Space and Comfort
The interior designers applied some minimalism to the updated Evoque's cabin. The centre stack used to have a climate control panel, but it has moved into its new home with the floating 11.4-inch curved glass touchscreen, complete with Pivi Pro infotainment. The system is lovely, with good screen clarity and reduced reflections, and partitions on the screen are now dedicated to climate control.
The centre console cubby houses the wireless charger and USB connectors for Android plebs like me who require a physical connection. When you close the cubby, it's all neatly tucked away, revealing the clean centre console finished with Shadow Ash Grey Veneer, a woodgrain material with a lovely texture that's great to touch.
It's worth mentioning the leather-free interior of our test unit. The materials still feel premium with a soft touch. Praise goes to the seats, which were finished with Ultrafabrics and Kvadrat, a combo seat with wool and leatherette. Comfortable yet breathable. Even the steering wheel is leather-free, though we'd opt for the controls not to be finished in gloss black as it's a fingerprint magnet. Even the infotainment system tends to be a fingerprint magnet, so a cloth to wipe it periodically would be handy.
Space-wise, the front of the cabin has plenty of space for you to get comfortable in, in the rear, the sloping roofline may make taller individuals less comfortable, but it's passable. If you fear your rear passengers may be blocking your rear view, have no fear, the ClearSight rear view mirror, which can work in traditional analogue form or digitally with the flick of a switch, to utilise the rear camera to handle those visual duties.
The Meridian Surround 14 speaker system handles the audio duties with a subwoofer. Unfortunately, our test unit had a rattle from one of the rear speakers, but this could be an anomaly. Regarding boot space, you have 472 litres to play with and up to 1156 litres when you fold down the rear seats.
Performance
The weapon of choice here is a three-cylinder 1.5-litre Ingenium petrol engine married with an 80kW electric motor and 14.8kWh battery. Total power outputs are 227kW and 540Nm sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Power delivery is gentle but can swell when you put your foot down. The transition from EV mode to combustion is seamless without a sudden jump in power.
The P300e in everyday urban traffic situations in auto mode tends to spend more time in EV mode, and even in some open road scenarios, but the engine comes into play there, too. So you'll find yourself charging the vehicle more in those situations, but then again, electricity, when it's accessible, is cheaper than petrol. The powertrain suits the demographics that drive this vehicle, who don't want brash power delivery.
The Drive
Our test unit came equipped with Adaptive Dynamics and Terrain Response, too. The ride in the Evoque, even on rainy season Johannesburg roads, had the magic carpet effect. Even leaning on the Evoque, the vehicle remained poised and level. The ride quality is well-tuned for comfort. The primary ride was comfortable, with only slight harshness from road undulations, and the secondary ride felt compliant. As you'd tend to expect from a vehicle like this, NVH is minimal.
Fuel Consumption
The P300e is claimed to consume 2.0 L /100km with a fully charged battery. We consumed around 4.0 L /100km during our mostly urban driving testing. The claimed range in electric mode was only 68km; we managed around 40km.
Safety
Per Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), Evoque achieved 5 stars. Its ratings for Adult Occupants were 94%, for Child Occupants 87%, for Vulnerable Road Users 72%, and for Safety Assistance 73%. Our only concern regarding safety is that the sensors tend to be sensitive, even with the lowest sensitivity option chosen.
Other notable features include:
- 6 airbags
- Lane Keep Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- 3D Surround View
Price
The purchase price of the P300e includes a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan, 5-year/100 000 km warranty, and 8-year hybrid battery warranty.
| Model | Price |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque P160 S | from R1 142 000 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque P160 Dynamic SE | from R1 233 800 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque D200 Dynamic SE | from R1 332 100 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque D200 Autobiography | from R1 394 800 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque P300e S | from R1 688 400 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque P300e Dynamic SE | from R1 741 800 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque P300e Dynamic HSE (tested) | from R1 759 030 |
*The pricing stated here was correct when published and is subject to change without further notice.
Rivals
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Lexus RX350
- Audi SQ5
The Verdict
The Evoque was rather pleasant to drive. With its sustainable approach, the cabin is comfortable and retains a luxury presentation. The powertrain is potent, and the hybrid assistance has oodles of boost. The competition for the Evoque is stiff, we'll argue, as this generation is getting on in age, but I think this vehicle holds its own in the premium crossover segment.
