Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

Range Rover Evoque car review – bring it on Macan

The refreshed, and top-of-the-range, Evoque looks pretty similar, but much has changed under the skin.
Evoque_review_action2
follows

Share

31 May 2014

Evoque_review
Yes it looks pretty much the same, but changes under the skin make this is the best Evoque yet

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4, Prestige (9-speed auto, five-door)

What is it?

The refreshed 2014 Evoque, only now available with the 9-speed auto-gearbox previously introduced on the petrol Evoque.

 

What’s hot?

  • Undoubtedly the best Evoque yet, with costs and emissions down meaningfully even for the powerful flagship SD4 tested here (159g/km CO2 equating to a company car tax rate of 27%)…
  • …and stop start tech finally introduced even though it’s an auto-box…
  • …and a largely seamless gear box that just puts you in the best ratio with no fuss.
  • Interior remains among the class leaders despite not changing much on last year’s model.
  • Optional Meridian Audio is the best in class by a country mile.
  • Feel-good factor and perceived image remain sky high despite newcomers to the sector.
  • An all-round companionable car that has withstood the test of time despite now being a ubiquitous sight in affluent parts of the UK.

 

Evoque_review_
The interior remains among the best, even though it’s not changed much

What’s not?

  • Styling still not to everyone’s tastes, especially the ‘squashed look’ from behind.
  • Boot smaller than rivals, especially the BMW X3.
  • The new gearbox suffers from a tiny delay and then a jerk forwards when moving off from standstill, as the diesel torque comes to bear.
  • Looks so similar to before that no one knows it has moved ahead. The changes are beneath the skin.
  • Slow compared with the Porsche Macan.

 

Evoque_review_
The squashed look at the back of the Evoque has never been to everyone’s taste, though it’s less pronounced on the 5-door models

 

Evoque_review_
The seemless 9-speed auto, which is the biggest change in the refreshed Evoque, is a big improvement. The new version also has lower company car tax and improved economy

Business Car Manager verdict

In truth there’s not a huge amount to say here. If you own an Evoque already then you’ll want to consider upgrading to this generally seamless 9-speed version, which is better suited to the torquey, 2.2 litre diesel engine we tested than it is to the petrol.

Along with stop-start, a first on the auto version, emissions are meaningfully brought down to 159grams of CO2, which puts the Evoque in VED band G (£180). Although company car tax is reduced, a 40% tax payer will still have to fork out around £340 a month – as near as makes no difference to a Porsche Macan.

Fuel economy creeps up a notch from 45.6mpg to 47.1mpg, while performance (0-60 in 8 seconds) is more than enough for this type of vehicle.

Evoque_review_
Far though it is from any agricultural roots, the Evoque retains that feeling of ‘rightness’ that all Land Rover drivers appreciate

It’s one of those cars that with Land Rover’s DNA feels good and right the minute you sit in it, and that’s worth a lot.

That said, the previous six-speeder wasn’t bad and this one isn’t perfect. It suffers from a tiny hesitation when pulling away. In the small time we had with the car we couldn’t tell if this would seem normal within a day, or be annoying at every roundabout.

Truth be told, there are more economical ways to get into an Evoque. If running costs are an important consideration, you’ll want to consider the 2WD manual eD4 version with 129g/CO2. That has a company car tax rate of a more modest 22% – so a 40% tax payer will pay from £213 a month, depending on the model.

Balancing this with the desire to spend an additional £4650 on the panoramic sunroof and unbelievably good Meridian audio, touch screen, powered tailgate and a few other goodies, is perhaps the trickiest thing to figure out when buying an Evoque.

In an ideal universe you’d buy the loaded version we tested, which had an OTR price of £49,659. But the luxury small SUV segment has become a much more complex space at that level. Indeed, for £6k less you buy the much, much faster Porsche Macan S, or for £46,385 the range-topping (and also blisteringly quick) BMW X3.

Viewed like this the Evoque is still right in the game, but it’s not the slam-dunk no-brainer it used to be.

 

Evoque_review
No longer in a class of its own, the Evoque is still a very viable competitor to the X3 and new kid on the block, the Porsche Macan

The Low Down…

Doors and body style  5-door SUV
Engine/gearbox  2.2 litre 4-cyl turbodiesel/9-speed auto
CO2 Emissions  159g/km
Economy  47.1mpg
Power/torque  193PS/420Nm
0-62mph/top speed  8secs/121mph
Insurance group  34

…and what it costs

P11D Value  £39,775
Monthly business rental (ex VAT) From £517 (3yrs/30,000 miles)
Road tax (VED)  Band G
Company Car Tax Bands 2014/15 to 2016/17 27%, 29%, 28%
Benefit in kind (BIK) 2014/15 to 2016/17  £10,739, £11,535, £11,137
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%)  £1172/£98
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%) £2344/£195
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%)  £2148/£179
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%)  £4296/£358
Figures correct at time of posting
For latest figures Use our company car tax calculator

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

Latest news

Top