The Range Rover Evoque is the most interesting model in Land Rover’s line-up. It’s the marque’s smallest SUV as far as dimensions are concerned, and is also the smallest to wear the coveted Range Rover badge. It’s been around for over a decade now and has surely carved its own niche. Heck, I even remember the convertible version that raised eyebrows globally with its flamboyance! It’s always been evocative in that sense (no pun intended!) and has been high on the style quotient, while also living up to being a Land Rover with its dynamics. The Evoque has thus been able to stand out, more than any of its siblings, perhaps as it isn’t as conventional as any of them!
The current Evoque is the second generation version and has received a midlife update that brings its design closer to the big daddy, the Range Rover on the design front. This is particularly visible in the form of the grille that mimics the Rangie’s. And it does that well, in conjunction with the updated headlamps that flank the grille. Compare this updated Evoque’s face to the original Evoque launched over a decade ago and you’ll realise how much more premium this one looks now! That said, the new face also looks a lot more appealing now, particularly thanks to the more squared off grille design. I’m also digging the horizontal slats on the intakes below the headlamps, as they add a hint of aggression.
From the sides it still has that unmistakable stance the Evoque has always had, given the sharply angled window line, while the new copper hued roof adds a nice contrast. There’s lots of copper accents all round in fact and these, while just being a colour change from the rest of the body work, help the Evoque look more desirable and more expensive. The new 19-inch alloys accentuate the SUV’s luxury quotient further and so the red brake calipers. The rear is where this updated Evoque looks most alluring from, thanks to the taut rear end, especially the tail lamp design and also the bumper, besides the 212mm ground clearance.
The interiors are inspired by the bigger Range Rovers as well and while I’m yet to drive the updated Velar, I’d like to believe the updated Evoque’s interiors are closest to the Velar’s visually. The design is clean and functional without too many lines and in fact the dashboard is a clean slab housing just the 11.3-inch touchscreen for Land Rover’s own Pivi Pro infotainment system. The all-black theme and soft-touch plastics offer the sense of richness you expect in something as expensive as the Evoque, while the steering wheel again reminds of bigger Range Rovers. What’s also noteworthy is that the centre console has the chubby little drive selector sit there in solitude, as everything else is now controlled through the touchscreen.
That’s not the most driver friendly thing in my opinion and while the touchscreen is brilliant in terms of its touch sensitivity and a breeze to use on the go, it still packs in far too much for you to be able to use while driving without getting distracted. This holds true for something as simple as changing driving modes. The good old physical switches need to come back, especially those lovely rotors on the centre console! I do like the instrument cluster display – it is big at 12.3 inches, with customisable screens and lets you see information very clearly at all times. It also projects navigation off your phone – so you have Google maps running right in front of you, which isn’t just cool but very helpful too. Once behind the wheel, I also liked the amount of space I had on my left – it’s neat and clean and useful as well.
The Evoque is also high on features, which should help it appeal to tech-savvy buyers. The Meridian music system is a class act, the 360-degree view system is top notch and even better than SUVs a segment above, front seats are heated and ventilated, rear seats are heated, you get dual-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a large panoramic sunroof, rear view mirror that turns into a display for the rear view camera mounted on the roof with a single touch and more. Of course, this is a Land Rover which means you have the dedicated Terrain Response System as well, should you wish to tread off tarmac. ADAS has been given a miss though, which is a little glaring when compared to the Germans.
I drove the diesel version, powered by JLR’s 2.0-litre four cylinder engine that offers 204PS and a healthy 430Nm here, sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed torque converter gearbox. It’s a likeable powertrain, especially given the flat torque curve and the fact that you almost never need to downshift for more grunt, because a mere dab on the throttle does it. The Evoque is also equipped with large, metal paddle shifters, but despite my affinity for using paddles, the Evoque felt best when changing gears automatically. This is a gearbox that prefers relaxed driving and overall, the Evoque portrays a similar demeanour too. It prefers a relaxed driving style, but don’t mistake that for lethargy because the Evoque is exceptionally good at mile munching and covering distances quickly.
That’s thanks to the consistent surge as you build revs, besides which cabin insulation is so good, you simply cannot tell there’s a diesel engine under the hood – that’s how refined the motor is! And besides the excellent sound damping, the Evoque also feels every bit like a Range Rover should on the go. You sit tall with a good view of the road, seats are plush and comfortable and ride quality is the way it should be. There’s a hint of firmness that some might notice but besides the impressive suspension setup, the plush seats also do their bit to reduce the effect of undulations and potholes, and overall comfort is perfectly in line with what you’d expect of a Range Rover despite the 19-inch wheels.
The Evoque is equally impressive around corners, helped by its relatively shorter wheelbase. It carries its weight with a sense of gracefulness that’s befitting of a British luxury SUV. The enthusiast in me would have liked some more alacrity but that’s perhaps just me, because the suspension and steering both do their respective jobs well. There’s also a sense of solidarity to the SUV that feels extremely reassuring, something I’ve always felt in every Land Rover. To sum it up, the Evoque may be the smallest SUV to wear the Range Rover badge but has always delivered with its feel and has the distinct aura of being a product from the storied British luxury SUV maker. Prices begin from Rs 67.90 lakh ex-showroom which might sound expensive, but the Evoque justifies its premium by living up to the Range Rover badge with its enhanced luxury quotient, elaborate feature list and of course, its stunning looks.
