Quick overview
- Sleek looks
- Great image
- Plenty of luxury kit
- More expensive than main rivals
- Mediocre economy
- Boot space
The Range Rover name conjures up an image of luxury and elegance in an SUV package, and that’s exactly what you get with the Evoque but just in a more compact form than its sister models. This has been the case ever since the Evoque first arrived and this second-generation model launched in 2019 is a more refined, sleeker car. While the Evoque has to parry with the likes of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 for some buyers, many will be drawn to the Range Rover without considering any other contender. That’s the appeal of this British SUV and the charm that it exerts over many drivers, a lot of whom will be repeat customers.
As well as its good looks, the Evoque comes equipped with plenty of luxury kit to make you feel just as good about the car as someone buying the full-size Range Rover. The company doesn’t skimp on the finer things in life, and you can upgrade to the various Edition models if you want something a bit sportier or more opulent. However, this does come at a price and the Range Rover. Evoque is more expensive than most of its mainstream rivals. It’s also not as economical as a lot of its key contenders, so running costs are likely to be higher in most instances if you choose the Range Rover.
There is consolation for this added expense in the way the Range Rover Evoque drives. It is very refined and has smooth engines, as well as a good balance between ride comfort and handling ability, where its German rivals tend to be firmer set. Range Rover has found more space inside the cabin of this Evoque than its predecessor, which was always a bit of a squeeze in the back seats, so this car is a more practical proposition than its predecessor.
Land Rover includes a plug-in hybrid model in the Evoque’s ranks now, as well as petrol and diesel engines, so there should be a version to suit every need. The more powerful variants come with four-wheel drive as standard and, despite the Evoque’s chi-chi looks, it’s more able off-road than just about any other car in this sector.
Infotainment, comfort and practicality
Anyone who wants a mid-size SUV that delivers the feel of a full-size 4x4 from the driver’s seat will appreciate the Range Rover Evoque. It places the driver higher up than most rivals, which gives a superb view of the road ahead, yet you don’t every sense that you’re perched on top of the car. Instead, the Evoque lets you settle into a great driving position whatever height or shape you are. All models come with a height adjustable driver’s seat and the S versions of the standard Range Rover. Evoque and R-Dynamic models upgrade this with electric adjustment and leather upholstery. The front seats in all Evoques are heated, too, for a touch of warmth in the winter. On top of that, every version has front and rear parking sensors, plus a reversing camera, included so you don’t have to worry about backing into a narrow bay.
Ahead of the driver, the main dials of the Range Rover Evoque are clear, bright and easy to read at night or in sunshine. The small display in the centre can be varied using the steering wheel buttons, though these are now touch-sensitive and can be easy to rub against with your hand as you steer. In the middle of the dash, lower grade trims stick with physical buttons for the air conditioning, which is a good thing in our book. The HST and Autobiography models swap this for a 10-inch touchscreen, which is simple enough to understand and operate, but it's not as easy as simple buttons and dials. Above this, all Evoques have a 10-inch colour infotainment touchscreen. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it’s easy to use, helped by clear shortcut buttons on the lower edge of the display.
Moving into the rear of the cabin, the Evoque has decent space for knees, feet, heads and shoulders. Three adults will fit in here when needed as the Range Rover is a little wider than most of its rivals, so a trio of occupants don’t feel as bunched up as they might in some rivals. There’s also a good view out for passengers, and there are Isofix child seat mounts on both outer rear seats.
The rear seat doesn’t slide to allow for variation in load space, but the back seat is divided 40-20-40 so you can carry two passengers plus longer items with ease. With all of the rear bench in use, there’s 472-litres of load space, which is more than adequate for most needs even if the boot floor is a bit narrower than some others in this class. Fold all of the seats down flat and you free up a maximum of 1383-litres, and there’s no drop from load sill to boot floor.
2019 Land Rover Evoque engines: how does it drive?
There’s plenty of choice in the Range Rover Evoque’s engine line-up, with petrol, diesel, and a petrol-electric hybrid model. All of the petrol and diesel engines use mild hybrid technology, too, other than the D165 model with manual gearbox. All the other versions of the Evoque come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and it’s the gearbox to have as it suits the car’s svelte, luxurious sensibilities.
The D165 has a 163hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel and it does a decent job of pulling the Range Rover along, giving 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds with the six-speed manual ’box or 9.2 seconds with the auto. It will rev quite freely when asked to and it’s also very quiet at motorway speeds, where the Evoque is also one of the best in its sector at suppressing wind and road noise from the cabin. Better still is the D200 model, which has the same engine but with power turned up to 204hp. This means 0-62mph in a brisker 7.9 seconds and easier overtaking on A-roads when you encounter slower traffic.
The rest of the Evoque engine line-up consists of petrol engines. The P200 and P250 models share a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that, like the diesels, is smooth, hushed and happy to sing for its supper when required without ever being too loud. Both of these engines work through the eight-speed auto ’box and, as with the D200, have four-wheel drive as standard, too. The P200 has 200hp and sees off 0-62mph in 8.0 seconds, while the P250 betters that with 249hp and 0-62 in 7.0 seconds. However, quickest of all the Evoques is the P300E plug-in hybrid model that uses a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor to give a combined power output of 309hp. This turns the Evoque into a hot hatch baiter that can see of 0-62mph in just 6.1 seconds, though the it feels happier being driven a little more sedately. In town and up to higher speeds, the P300E can run on battery power alone for distances of up to 38 miles.
On a twisty country road, you won’t notice any difference in the handling of the front- and all-wheel drive versions of the Range Rover Evoque. All models have good grip and poise in the bends, albeit with a bit more body lean than you’ll experience in a BMW X1. The steering delivers reasonable feel at all speeds, and the Range Rover is reassuringly stable on the motorway where it can cover plenty of miles without fatiguing its driver or passengers. The ability to cover plenty of miles in the Evoque is underlined by its supple ride quality. Even on the larger wheels of some trims, it manages to smooth out the worst of any ruts or dimples, so it has the feel of its larger siblings in the way it delivers a luxury drive even in a smaller SUV.
Value for money: how much does a 2019 Land Rover Evoque cost to buy and run?
Not every trim level is offered with the full engine range for the Range Rover Evoque, so you need to be sure about which combination will work best for you when selecting a model. The line-up starts with the straightforward Evoque, which costs from £34,010 and you can upgrade to the S version for £3570. The R-Dynamic comes in at £35,540 and moving up the S version comes with the same £3570 premium. Next in line is the Edition model for £48,495, followed by the HST at £53,295. Capping the Evoque model range is the Autobiography that costs from £54,755. Discounts on new Range Rover Evoques are harder to come by than with many of its rivals, but if you are determined there are savings of up to £1500 possible if you are flexible on specification. A nearly new Evoque with less than 5000 miles on the clock will save you about £2000 on the list price, while a three-year old Evoque costs from approximately £28,000 such is the car’s popularity on the used market.
Entry to this Range Rover model starts with the simply named Evoque version. It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, and Lane Keep Assist. There’s also automatic emergency braking and a driver fatigue warning, plus all of the usual airbags you’d expect and Isofix child seat mounts. Fabric upholstery covers the seats, which has manual height adjustment for the front pair, which are both heated. Infotainment is taken care of by a 10-inch Pivi colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The S version upgrades with 18-inch wheels and directional indicators, plus adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. Inside, the front seats gain electric adjustment and leather upholstery is added. You also get sat-nav for the infotainment, and wireless charging pad for a phone. The R-Dynamic and its S variant are similar in spec to the Evoque and S models but with different alloy wheels and interior trim finishes for a sportier look. The Edition comes with 20-inch wheels, privacy glass, and black exterior trim pack. It has the deployable infotainment screen that tilts towards the drive for easier viewing, and also comes with an auto-dimming rear view mirror and powered tailgate. Move to the HST and you get a contrasting black-painted roof and panoramic glass sunroof, and red brake calipers. A heated steering wheel is covered in suede cloth, while there’s also an uprated stereo with the Meridian Sound System and keyless entry. At the top of the line is the Autobiography that has matrix LED headlights, 21-inch wheels, 14-way electric seat adjustment and seat cooling, heated rear seats, grey ash veneer trim, Clearsight rear view mirror, and electric steering column movement. This trim also has gesture control to open the tailgate, blind spot monitor, and rear cross traffic alert and collision monitoring.
By far and away the most economical Range Rover Evoque model is the P300E that has a battery range of up to 38 miles. It also has a combined economy of 196.6mpg and 33g/km carbon dioxide emissions. The D165 2.0-litre turbodiesel is next best with the manual gearbox that offers 46.3mpg and 160g/km. Go for the automatic transmission and those numbers change to 43.7mpg and 169g/km, while the D200 offers 43.2mpg and 171g/km. The petrol-powered P200 delivers 31.4mpg and 203g/km, and its P250 sister comes with identical consumption and emissions.
Verdict: Should I buy a 2019 Land Rover Evoque?
The Range Rover Evoque is a classy act outside and in, and it’s backed up by excellent build quality. There’s plenty of space for the driver and good room in the back, though the Evoque’s boot is not the biggest in the class. It’s still practical, however, and all models come with plenty of equipment to assuage the higher prices than most of the competition.
You can choose from petrol, diesel or petrol-electric plug-in hybrid models, and most of the petrol and diesel engines come with mild hybrid tech too. However, the petrol-only models are not the most efficient, which could make them expensive to run for higher mileage drivers.
What could I buy instead of a 2019 Land Rover Evoque?
Audi Q3
The Audi Q3 is a solid choice in the small premium SUV sector and plenty of drivers are attracted to its handsome looks and well-appointed cabin. The interior follows the usual Audi playbook, which means its logically laid out, spacious for those in the front, and has a decent boot. All of the materials your hands come into contact with feel high grade. Driving the Q3 is unchallenging and it offers good handling and a reasonable ride so long as you don’t opt for the largest wheels. Only the 1.5 TSI with S tronic automatic gearbox disappoints.
Jaguar E-Pace
Often overlooked, the Jaguar E-Pace is one of the best small SUVs to drive. It rides the bumps with a calm smoothness and handles much better than most of its competitors, so it justifies the ‘sport’ in its SUV title. There are hybrid engines to keep running costs to a minimum and the P300e model can cover up to 34 miles on battery power alone. Jaguar’s interior design is not as bold as some, but comfort is good for those in the front. However, rear seat space is limited and the Jag’s boot is some way off the largest in this sector.
Lexus UX
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There’s little can match the Lexus UX for its sleek looks in the family SUV sector, not even the Range Rover Evoque. This forms much of the Lexus’ appeal, along with its superbly made interior that comes with plenty of tech and a fine driving position. However, it’s not the most practical car in this segment as the rear seats and boot space both lag well behind the leaders. Some might find the ride quality too firm, as well, but all models come with some form of electrification or you could opt for the UXe with its 196-mile EV range.
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