Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SD4 automatic Dynamic 5dr
Car review: Ralph Morton
What is it?
THE Evoque is the much anticipated ‘baby Range Rover’, a compact SUV that brings the luxury hauteur and practicality of the Range Rover to a new audience. And that audience is out of the traps and gunning for it already. Launched in September 2011, the luxury off-road maker has already 10,000 orders less than a month later. The majority have opted for the 190hp diesel six-speed auto tested here but in the same-priced Prestige trim rather than the Dynamic model we’re assessing, costing £38,990.
What’s hot?
- It’s a Range Rover. At some stage in your life you’ve always wanted one
- Concept LRX wow-factor styling replicated in the production model…
- …So there’s no chance of you not being noticed…
- …or having that pride of ownership glow
- 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine is delightfully hushed on the motorway
- And there’s enough urgency about its acceleration…
- …when you select the Adaptive Drive sports setting
- Autobox smooths through the gears unoticed
- Ride is composed and serene on the motorway…
- …and engagingly sporting on more challenging A-roads
- Aided by wonderfully precise steering
- And then there’s its off-road ability too, thanks to Terrain Response
- Dial in slippery surface or deep rut mode and let the car do it for you
- Fuel economy of 43mpg suggests you won’t need deep pockets to run it
- Superbly crafted interior finished in leather
- Lots of options allow you to personalise to your taste
- But make sure you go for the £460 panoramic roof option
- Standard features include 20 inch alloys, powered seats…
- …reversing camera, xenon headlamps with LEDs, touch screen sat-nav…
- You get the idea, it’s a Range Rover
What’s not?
- 174g/km CO2 emissions wrong side of the capital allowances tax break
- There’s little space in the rear
- Sticky tailgate struts – failed to fully open without a helping hand
- Some road noise depending on road surface
- Front seats feel slightly short on under thigh support
- The choice of options is extensive – you could run up a big bill
What you need to Know?
| P11D Value: | 38,670 |
| Monthly Rental*: | 577 (CH)/£692 (PCH) |
| Tax Band when posted: | 27%, 28%, 29% |
| Monthly BiK: | Click link for BIK |
| Engine: | 2.2 4cyl turbo diesel |
| CO2 Emissions: | 174g/km |
| Power/torque: | 190hp/420Nm |
| Economy: | 43mpg |
Monthly contract hire (CH) and personal contract hire (PCH) rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.
Business Car Manager Road Test Rating
No question: this is one highly desirable and supremely accomplished motor car. That the new Evoque can perform so seamlessly on the motorway, drive so engagingly on sinuous country roads, and dispatch off-road tracks with such contemptuous ease is an astonishing achievement by the Land Rover engineers. That the Evoque loses none of its bigger Range Rover’s luxury appeal at the same time is remarkable.
