Good things come in small packages and the iconic Range Rover brand now has a baby offering that is highly lovable – the Evoque.
In simple terms, Evoque is a Land Rover Freelander 2 given an upmarket makeover. The exterior of the five-seater is a masterclass in design, as it features the Range Rover DNA that we all love but not all of us can afford. Evoque is being built in two body styles, namely a handsome five-door or extra cute and slightly lower three-door coupé with prices starting at just over €40,000! Evoque has classic chunky and highly identifiable bodylines and panels that have made Range Rover the four-wheel drive king of the road for over 40 years. Despite a reduced glazed area compared to the Freelander 2, this actually aids the car's stance. The high shoulder line and disguised roof pillars seem to pull the roof lower, making Evoque very Tonka toy-like. Big lettering front and rear announces Range Rover, and this is very important for owners.
Inside is a quality location and depending on trim level and if you have a lot of spare cash to spend on extras, you can have a truly five-star, sumptuous interior. The inside features a few elements straight from Jaguar, but this isn't a bad thing. Posh Spice aka Victoria Beckham was involved in the design stages here and as far as I can see she did no harm at all. As with Freelander 2, you sit high up but not classic Range Rover high, where you might need a step ladder unless you've lowered the suspension to access height!
Available as either an automatic or with a short throw six-speed manual gearbox on the road, Evoque is very composed and as you would expect from any Range Rover, well dampened. The ride quality and reassurance of the permanent four-wheel drive chassis is impressive. Steering is gear well and it is easy to have a sporty Evoque experience. A two-wheel drive version is on the way with a 'eD4' 2.2 diesel. No, your eyesight isn't failing: there will be a two-wheel drive only version with extra green credentials and a sub 130g/km CO2. It will have a sub-€40,000 asking price.
Evoque turns heads and you will find yourself looking back at the car when you park it up - always a good sign. Much as BMW's MINI was an instant hit, the latest Range Rover will have the same impact when sales start in earnest in the New Year. Range Rover tells me it expects to sell 300 but to be honest, even with the downturn I think they'll shift more. Evoque is simply great to look at, be in, be seen in and is genuinely capable, too. Heads will turn and admiring glances come your way as will nods of approval when driving the baby Range Rover, unlike when driving larger Range Rovers where the experience for many now is the opposite!
Range Rover Evoque is the luxury SUV for the times we live in.
Michael Sheridan
