Released in 2011 to a unanimous ‘wow’ feedback, the Range Rover Evoque has been the choice of premium compact SUV buyers – especially women – for quite a while. So, it was time for me to actually look at it in a more detailed manner to understand what the fuss is about. Here’s the prices and specs of Evoque.

Styling

When the Evoque was released, it was a game changer in terms of looks. Never before had a compact SUV looked like a premium motor vehicle with modern chic appeal. However, 4 years down the line, many players have entered the style department, with the frontrunner being the Porsche Macan (Prices and specs of Macan). That car looks perfect for the market segment, and thus it is time for JLR to revamp the Evoque, as it appears aged compared to prettier competitors. I have conducted a road test for the Porsche Macan Turbo myself; you can view it over here.

Interior Materials & Finishing

JLR is a premium brand, and even their smallest offering has the best finishing in the segment – though the materials used still don’t match the finesse found in full-size SUVs. The compartment is a nice place to be, featuring a mix of leather and hard plastics smoothly integrated to provide a relaxing feel while driving. The intended customer desires luxury at a budget, and that is exactly what they are getting. Thus, all is well in this department.

Interior Space & Visibility

The Evoque provides a nice upright seating position with a clear view of the road from all angles. With the addition of sensors and a rear camera, you achieve good all-round visibility. It comfortably seats 5 adults; however, the boot space appears smaller than expected, and JLR should work on increasing that in the next generation.

Interior Features

The new Evoque comes with all the standard JLR features like Bluetooth, AUX, USB, touchscreen, navigation, CD/DVD/MP3, etc. There is no feature missing that I wished was present but wasn’t. The touchscreen interface needs improvement, as it appears outdated. However, the addition of terrain response control makes it a darling off-road vehicle. Yes, it is highly capable off-road, and you won’t be disappointed taking it to the dunes. The short wheelbase contributes positively to its performance.

Power & Transmission

The Evoque is powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 240 BHP. This is sufficient to propel it from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. However, during the test run, I managed to achieve 7.8 seconds, which is close enough. It is a small, punchy engine that struggles at high revs and feels held back at times due to laggy transmission. This results in a decent economy rate of 12.8 l/100 km. I believe there should be a 3.0 liter V6 supercharged option available, as paying AED 200K+ for a 2.0 liter engine doesn’t feel practical. Additionally, the added weight of an SUV would be better managed by a bigger engine. The transmission, on the other hand, is smooth as silk, and switching to sports mode doesn’t significantly alter the performance.

Handling, Suspension & Brakes

The Evoque is not meant to be a sporty compact SUV like the Macan, and hence the driving characteristics differ. The baby Range Rover handles like any SUV – with ample body roll. However, where other ‘regular’ SUVs may falter in corners, this little gem grips the road with tires screeching; all you need to do is press the accelerator, and it zips out of the corner, regaining its composure. Thus, I will give JLR good marks. Why good and not excellent? That’s because its biggest competitor in this department is the Macan, which drives like a proper Porsche. The Macan, however, does not glide on straight roads in comfort mode like the Evoque does. At 80 km/h on a stretch, the car feels like a breeze. There are no damper settings to adjust, which means switching to ‘sports’ mode merely enhances throttle response. The brakes are trustworthy, inviting you to brake later than expected, but then again, it’s a JLR, so you would expect that.

Verdict

The Range Rover Evoque is a good choice for a small SUV that offers excellent off-road capability along with decent on-road performance. It meets the criteria of having a small engine, premium finishing, and off-road competence. No other brand offers such a package, which is its unique selling proposition (USP). The Macan excels on-road but offers less than average off-road ability. Ultimately, the choice lies with the consumer's preferences. However, if JLR includes a V6 option with damper settings, the Evoque has the potential to outperform the Macan on-road as well.

Images: