Evoque appeals strongly on stand-out style and effective use of high-tech
The premium crossover marketplace has a heap of products calling out for the hard-earned bucks of Canadian shoppers, and arguably, none turns heads rolling down the road quite as easily as the Range Rover Evoque. One’s eyes would tire before identifying all of the intricate shapes and lines and textures and accented, sculpted bits that set the Evoque’s body apart with a nearly concept-car look, and the stance and fascias convey a sense of eager, adventure-ready alertness. Evoque is a remarkable-looking machine with styling worth celebrating: and it won’t blend into the sea of X3’s and RDX’s and SRX’s on your daily drive.
The interior is similarly unique and striking, with an easygoing and clean look of luxury favored over an excessively techy and lavish one. The dash on the top-grade tester was trimmed in stitched leather and sloped away from the driver for a bigger sense of space, with a steeply-raked centre console offering pass-through storage beneath. It’s more ‘khakis and a golf shirt’ than ‘suit and tie’ luxury on board. Don’t miss the signature dial shifter, which rises from the dash when the engine is started, or the punchy and potent Meridian audio system, which punches your eardrums in the face.
You’ll find space for four adults, though rear seat entry is fairly tight, thanks to small rear door openings. Overall roominess is adequate, not abundant. Ditto the cargo hold: there’s little issue if you pack lightly, though it does fill up quickly. Visibility and headroom are, however, both better than I’d expected, given that low roof line.
The loaded-to-the-nines tester also got the latest in hazard-detection technology, including a lane-departure warning system, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision alert. The latter impressed your writer by operating with no false alarms, no excessive sensitivity, and also, by detecting real collision threats with time to spare, twice, on my watch.
It’s well set up.
Ditto the Auto Stop system, which shuts the engine down when it would otherwise be idling, to reduce fuel consumption. In numerous other applications, the high-powered starter motor employed for millisecond engine restarts causes a shudder through the body of the vehicle, as well as plenty of noise. In the Evoque, the system is quiet, very smooth, and all but imperceptible if the stereo is on, even a little. This is how Auto Stop should be set up.
All Evoque models run a 2-litre turbo four-cylinder, packing 240 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft of torque. It’s a solid all-around performer: effortless at low revs and when driven gently thanks to the low-end torque enabled by the turbocharger, and performing with power to spare, and a mildly-pleasing hum at full throttle.
Most shoppers will find this so-called Si4 engine to be adequate all around, a good thing since it’s the only powerplant available. Mileage on my watch, including plenty of city, highway and off-road driving, landed around 11L/100km.
During said off-road driving, the Evoque had no issues finding traction across a variety of late-winter backroads surfaces including ice, snow, slush, mud-ruts and any combination thereof. Short overhangs and decent clearance beneath minimize the likelihood of whacking the underbelly on obstacles when on a trail, though my test drive primarily saw the clever four-wheel drive system hunting, usually effectively, for traction on flatter but more slippery surfaces.
Engineers have provided a Terrain Response system that allows drivers to engage special modes for specific surfaces, though even left in the all-purpose AUTO setting, I noted minimal issues finding traction, and an impressive tendency for the system to almost never slip a tire, instead sending power where it would be used more effectively. Added up, the Evoque does a bang-on job of managing the traction available.
Other notes? The tester’s ride proved busy and stiff on broken pavement and springtime potholes, though fans of something that feels stable and responsive in corners are likely to accept the tradeoff. A quick and heavy steering adds confident liveliness to the equation, and the short body and stiff suspension contributes to an overall feeling of energetic handling should drivers wish to experience sportier driving. More comfort-oriented drivers are advised to seek out an Evoque model with smaller wheels.
The lighting system, comprised of steerable xenon projectors and a washer system provided fantastic visibility on several after-dark backroads jaunts, and the heated steering wheel gets firey hot on cold mornings in quick order.
End of the day, Evoque Autobiography will find favor with shoppers after stand-out, concept car looks, a gorgeously trimmed cabin, and above-average capability in a luxury compact crossover. The long list of available advanced features, many of which are fine examples of how advanced features should be executed, should help seal the deal for techy folks.
Largely, and especially where styling and exemplary use of high-tech is concerned, there’s nothing like an Evoque. If you’re in the market, be sure to cross-shop against other athletic luxury crossovers, especially the Porsche Macan and BMW X4.
Range Rover Evoque
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 240 horsepower
Drivetrain: intelligent 4×4
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Observed Mileage: 11L/100km
Features: Meridian audio, push-button start, climate-controlled seats, keyless access, xenon projector headlamps with washer, Terrain Response Controller, navigation, active park assist
What’s Hot: Exclusive and unique looks, fantastic high-tech features that work exceptionally, decent all-around performance, lively handling, gorgeous and unique cabin
What’s Not: Tight rear-seat entry, limited cargo space, rough ride on some surfaces
Starting Price: $47,695