When the Range Rover Evoque emerged in 2011, few could have foreseen how infl uential this compact SUV would be – including Jaguar Land Rover itself. The Evoque became the fastest-selling Land Rover of all time – a level of success which JLR will no doubt be hoping to replicate with this new one.
So what exactly is new? Well, the Mk2 Evoque uses Land Rover’s new PTA platform (it stands for Premium Transverse Architecture, though no doubt plenty of owners will be on a Parent Teacher Association too), the reason being that it was designed with electrifi cation in mind. All but the entry-level front-wheel drive 148bhp diesel model will be mild hybrids, using 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines along with a 48-volt electric motor to aid acceleration and reduce emissions.
The Mk1 Evoque was a huge success, lifting the Green Oval to new heights and bringing the Range Rover name to the masses. So, small shoes for the new Evoque to slide into then?
The front-wheel drive diesel comes with a manual gearbox, whereas all other versions have a nine-speed ZF auto driving all four wheels. There’s a range of three diesel and three petrol versions: D150, D180 and D240, and P200, P250 and P300, all of them named for their power output. A plug-in hybrid will also be available later this year.
On the outside, the Evoque’s exterior mimics the larger Range Rover Velar. In fact, whereas the old model had more of a Freelander-come-over-all-tarty vibe, if you think of this one as a more compact, scaled-down Velar, you’ve got the gist of it. To my eye, the design suits the Evoque’s proportions even better, too. The body itself is 13% stiffer than before and, even with the introduction of hybrid technology, has only grown 1mm in length. There’s been some clever packaging work going on at Land Rover, as the wheelbase has grown by 21mm, yielding 20mm more legroom in the back and a 10% improvement in luggage capacity.
It all sounds like intelligent progress and that’s because this is a worthy evolution of the old car rather than a wholesale revolution. Open up the Evoque, using the Velar-inspired retractable door handles, and you’ll step inside a spacious cabin that has a premium feel and fi nish. There’s the usual abundance of leather around the interior, but this can now be substituted for sustainable textiles, including suedecloth, wool blends and even eucalyptus.
The latest infotainment from JLR has been installed, with the Touch Pro Duo set-up donning neat graphics. it’s not the fastest system on the market, but no options are more than a couple of touches away. The steering wheel controls have a satisfying operation and the seats can be adjusted electrically in up to 16 different ways.
There’s no doubt the interior is a step up over the outgoing model. Once on the move, too, an improvement in refi nement is clear to behold, with minimal interruptions from wind and tyre noise. The highest compliment that I can award the new Evoque is that it now feels like a proper Range Rover. The refi nement doesn’t just stop with the cabin environment, either. The Evoque’s ride is well damped and in corners there’s only a hint of body roll. We tried the P200 version fi nished in SE trim: it’s the entry-level petrol model and is likely to be one of the top-selling versions.
While the engine was quiet and worked well in the background with the auto box, however, it never felt as quick as its on-paper stats would have you believe. I was disappointed with its economy, too, especially as this is meant to be the most frugal petrol unit in the range, blending a state-of-theart Ingenium engine with JLR’s latest hybrid technology. A return of 27mpg is just not acceptable in something that is supposed to be a usable compact SUV. My advice would therefore be to stick with either the D180 or D240 models, which will certainly return better fuel economy while also delivering some additional low-range shove. If you do, you’ll be getting a fantastic car.
The Evoque is a wonderfully comfortable vessel, reminding me of how easily the Discovery 5 covers ground. It always remains composed, no matter what stretch of road lies ahead – and it manages to retain its heritage when you leave the tarmac, too.
With a revised version of Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 technology, indeed, the baby Range Rover is incredibly capable off-road. Traction is never in doubt as the four-wheel drive system just works out what to do and pulls the car forward. And even if things get tricky, there are plenty of features to help the Evoque out.
Hill Descent Control gives confi dence on steep slopes, while All Terrain Progress Control acts as a form of cruise control for rough ground. There’s a maximum wading depth of 600mm, too, while new gizmos such as Ground View technology make their fi rst appearance on the Evoque. The latter uses cameras to project the illusion of an invisible bonnet on the touchscreen, so drivers can see clearly what lies next to their front wheels and in front of the bulkhead.
Other neat new touches include the ClearSight rear-view mirror. This can be activated by toggling the traditional rear-view mirror into a HD video screen featuring a wide-angle picture from a camera on the rear of the car, meaning you can always have good visibility even if you’re carrying large items or have a tall passenger in the middle rear seat.
The ClearSight mirror is a £315 option on our SE-spec test car, which brings us nicely on to kit levels. Prices for the new Evoque start from £31,600 and even the basic S models come with LED headlights, heated windscreen, rear Isofi x mountings, front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera, DAB radio, Bluetooth, cruise control and Lane Keep Assist.
SE versions have a powered tailgate, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added into the mix, alongside 20” alloys, the Touch Pro Duo upgrade from the entry-level 10” screen and a wealth of safety features such as Traffi c Sign Recognition, Rear Traffi c Monitor and a 360-degree parking aid. Finally, HSE models gain keyless entry, Windsor leather, an interactive display and Connect Pro, turning your Evoque into a Wi-Fi hotspot – and a saint for keeping children amused. An R-Dynamic option is available across all versions for an additional £1,500, which essentially adds more stylish elements to the Evoque’s already handsome exterior. Whatever version you pick, there’s no reason to go beyond a list price of £45,000.
The Evoque has just been awarded the full fi ve-star safety rating from Euro NCAP and residuals are expected to lead the class. Now, at last, it feels like its bigger siblings, carrying over the Velar’s stunning looks and interior while maintaining the impressive on and off-road manners its heritage demands. The baby Range Rover is a baby no more.
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