2014 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
The Evoque set the tone for the “new” Range Rover brand when it debuted in 2012; going forward, fashion, efficiency and on-road dynamics would be as important—or more—than the off-road prowess and discreet style. The fullsize and Sport RRs that followed cemented the new direction and the company has been reaping record profits ever since. Where does this leave the vehicle that could be said to have started it all?
For 2014 the Evoque has undergone its midcycle refresh, oft called a “facelift” in industry parlance, though in reality it’s more like the baby Range Rover has been spending time at the gym, than under the surgeon’s knife.
The exterior sheetmetal remains largely untouched, and still strikes as the most dramatic in a class that includes Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. There is a bit more chrome (unwelcome, to my eye), different wheels and new colors. Inside there is a lovely cohesion to the design and a simplicity that is welcome after spending time in the “busy” cockpits of competitors. The test vehicle, in “Pure” trim, boasts the tactility of leather most everywhere and a fetching two-tone, contrast-stitched ambiance. Front and rear seat room, and cargo volume, are all adaquite, though not many will find the shaping of the bucket seats to be lacking in support. The touch-screen based infotainment system is now fast enough reacting to not be a danger, but the forthcoming, smartphone-integrated system will be welcome, as is the fixed panoramic roof, that keeps the turret-like windows from making things feel claustraphobic. The test vehicle’s Meridian sound system was superb as well.
The personal trainer has done a decent job improving the Evoque’s aerobic fitness, in the firm of a nine-speed transmission (which replaces the old six-speed) that improves real world fuel economy and drivability. Off the line response is better, though the Ford-sourced, 2-liter turbo still suffers from more lag than the class-leading BMW X3’s. Where the new tranny really helps is in keeping the light switch-like on/off nature of turbo boost rollup from making the Evoque’s progress a lurchy affair. And it now routinely matches the EPA-rated 21mpg city and 30mpg highway numbers.
The Evoque’s ride is still a bit brittle for my roads—it never settles down, and like all recent Jaguar/Land Rover products, while it absorbs the bigger bumps well, there is an underlying patteryness to progress on all surfaces. The Range Rover’s steering is better than much of the competition, being well weighted; its linear and loads up properly to telegraph front-end grip better than most others’, too. Great handling was baked into the Evoque at the design stage; it shovels through corners like a big hot hatch.
Audi freshened the Q5 about a year ago, and this season has added a superb new 3-liter diesel engine option and the sporty SQ5 to the lineup; BMW has facelifted the X3 and stuffed a 2-liter oil-burner under the hood as well. The Lexus RX is getting a bit long in the tooth, and although it remains the best-seller in the segment, isn’t really comparable. That company’s new, sportier NX will try to swipe sales from the Germans, but I cant really see the same shoppers considering it.
The Evoque remains compelling: It’s better looking than the others, has as nice—or nicer—interior, handles really well and now gets fuel economy that is comparable to at least some of the competition. As it stands now, it remains the fashionistas’ and enthusiasts’ choice.
EPA ratings: 21/30mpg; 24mpg combined
Price as tested: $57,590
Here is what Land Rover has to say.
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