2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Luxury SUV Review

Sometimes, being smaller than the other guys let's you take more of a risk.  The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque defies SUV convention in any number of ways: its fashion-first design, the availability of a two-door 'coupe' body style, and its ability to mesh Land Rover's off-road credibility with the soft-road sensibilities that sell so many compact people movers in the luxury segment. 

This is a small SUV that should feel like the very definition of 'compromise,' and yet it doesn't.  Instead, it comes across as simply a pint-sized Range Rover, a worthy heir - with a few minor caveats - to its other, much-lauded line-up mates, and a distinctly different choice as compared to rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class.

The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque comes in both two-door and four-door models, making it the only luxury suv on the market to offer such dramatically different body styles at ordering time.  In order to simplify the conversation I'm going to focus on the four-door model I drove, which can be ordered in one of five different trim levels.  

The Range Rover Evoque Pure ($41,100) offers 18-inch rims, parking assistance, keyless ignition, dual automatic climate control, partial leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power adjustable front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, an LCD touchscreen infotainment interface, and ambient lighting.  The Evoque Pure Plus (MSRP $44,100) improves on the quantity and quality of leather outfitted to the SUV's cabin, and it also adds a panoramic moonroof, larger 19-inch wheels, a power tailgate, and fog lights, while the Pure Premium trim (MSRP $48,900) introduces additional safety gear, keyless entry, a navigation system, a surround sound audio system, and adaptive HID headlights.

Moving up to the Range Rover Evoque Prestige (MSRP $55,700) nets you even nicer leather throughout the cabin, along with a heated steering wheel, heated seats front and rear, ventilated front buckets, satellite radio, wood and aluminum trim, and an automated parking system.  The top-tier Dynamic trim (MSRP $56,600) is aimed at those who want the Prestige edition's luxuries but crave a sportier appearance and ride, as it bundles in a blacked-out exterior package along with 20-inch rims, an adaptive suspension system, and a louder exhaust system (but subtracts the cooled front seats).  If you want to go all out, you can also consider the special Autobiography and Autobiography Dynamic editions of the Evoque, which pack a considerable luxury punch on top of the already well-equipped Prestige and Dynamic models (but with a hefty surcharge).

The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque that I drove for a week was a Pure Plus model outfitted with the Vision Assist package (adaptive HID headlights, automatic high beams, surround view camera system, blind spot monitoring system), 20-inch 'shadow chrome' wheels, adaptive cruise control, the Convenience package (keyless entry and ignition, navigation), the Climate Comfort package (heated steering wheel, heated windshield, heated seats front and rear), satellite radio, and metallic paint.  The total MSRP for my tester came to roughly $53,025.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque carries over last year's design.

If the equally-compact Land Rover LR2 is a top coat and tails, then the 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is a little black dress with no pockets.  There's really no other small SUV out there that attracts as much attention as the Evoque's classy lines do, and it cuts a distinctive path through a segment where functionality often trumps styling.  With an upright posture that brings to mind the wagon-like profile of the GLK-Class, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque breaks type by shrinking its greenhouse to the rear and creating the impression of a muscular, yet still lithe sport-utility package.  Most SUVs make a ripple with their sheer bulk or ostentatiousness, but the diminutive Evoque achieves the same effect with its out-sized presence. 

Land Rover has also made an important distinction between the Evoque and its LR2 platform-mate when it comes to their respective cabins.  Even my modestly-positioned Pure Plus trim came with a full-leather interior, soft and supple on the dash, the nicely-inset door panels, and the seats.  Almost everything about the Evoque's passenger compartment reeks of luxury, and more importantly, upholds the standards set by the Range Rover name.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque does not introduce any new comfort or cargo features. 

When you pinch an SUV's roof, you have to expect to feel it when it comes time to try and pack it with either people or cargo.  The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque mitigates its fashion-forward design by restricting the pain to the modest 20.3 cubic feet of trunk space located between the second row seatback and the hatch.  Once you factor in the cargo cover and the unique proportions of the space, you'll quickly realize that it's suitable for a few overnight bags but not much else.  Fortunately, folding down the back seat offers up 51 cubes of total storage space, which was enough room for me to stuff a full set of dining room chairs and a bunch of other bags and boxes on the way home from my winter holiday.  It's clearly not at the top of its class when it comes to overall hauling capacity, but the Evoque is deceptively capable when it needs to be.

Passenger room was another of my concerns when I picked up the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, but after an evening spent ferrying around a carload of five taller-than-average passengers I came to the conclusion that there's very little intrusion into the headroom for rear row riders imposed by the largely-illusory plunging roofline.  Where you do notice a difference is in the amount of light admitted by the Evoque's tiny back windows - a problem that was abated by the panoramic sunroof that comes standard with the Pure Plus trim level.  As it were, I had no comfort complaints from my party as we moved about the city.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque introduces a more complete automated parking system for the current model year (with the addition of perpendicular parking capability).

When winter rolls in it's nice to have access to heated everything, and the 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque's warmed-up windshield, seats (front and rear), and steering wheel all contributed to a cozy environment inside the vehicle.  For the most part the Evoque's feature set was much appreciated, but there were a few ergonomic miss-steps that marred the overall experience.  To access said heated seats, you have to hit a big plastic button on the center console, and then wait an interminable number of seconds for the infotainment screen to present you with a menu that eventually allows you to turn them on or off.  It's a division of labor that seems over-wrought at best, and it meant a long wait in the morning after pushing the start button for the first time before my buns were sufficiently warm.

The infotainment screen itself suffered from lag no matter what you were trying to do with it, and it's clear that this dated LCD panel - plus the gauge cluster in front of the driver - are the last remnants of the LR2-based holdover technology to be found inside the Evoque.  I can't wait for them to be replaced, as they were the only real negatives to be found inside the SUV's cabin.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque adds rear cross-path detection.

The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque offers dual forward airbags, side impact airbags up front, side curtain airbags that deploy along the entire length of the passenger compartment, and electronic stability control and traction control as standard equipment.  If you are so inclined, the options list makes a number of active safety features available including the blind spot monitoring system and adaptive cruise control/forward collision warning feature installed on my tester (with the latter offering automatic braking).

2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Crash-Test Ratings: the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has yet to be crash tested by either the IIHS or the NHTSA.

What’s New:

• The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque carries over last year's drivetrain.

The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque comes exclusively with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that has been tuned to provide 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque - the same engine offered in the now-departed Land Rover LR2.  Unlike the LR2, however, the Evoque is shifted via a nine-speed automatic transmission, which helps it to deliver fuel economy figures of 21-mpg in city driving and 30-mpg on the highway.  I saw 22-mpg combined during my time with the Land Rover, which is impressive given that all-wheel drive is also included as standard equipment.

The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque offers luxury buyers a split personality: the ability to climb every (most) mountain(s) and ford every stream, as well as mindlessly navigate from the house to the mall to the soccer field while ensconced in a luxury cocoon.  I'm not going to dwell too much on the former - while in my care, the Evoque's Terrain Response system never left 'auto' mode - but I can assure your from past brushes with the small Land Rovers that I have no doubt as to this SUV's ability to out-pace its compact rivals once road turns to trail.

The urban (and inter-urban) role was the primary focus of my week spent behind the wheel of the Range Rover Evoque, and the SUV proved a worthy holiday companion as I shuttled from one city to another visiting family and dealing with horribly uncharacteristic rain and fog along the way.  It's not often that I get to use both the front and rear fog lights on a vehicle, but the limited visibility and slippery conditions I faced while driving the Evoque certainly justified my decision.  Fortunately, the four-wheel drive system sitting underneath the SUV's chassis never once hinted at anything other than calm and control for the hundreds of miles that I forced it to deal with slippery, treacherous winter weather.  The adaptive cruise control system likewise cared little about the low-lying clouds and heavy precipitation, as its radar functioned flawlessly even in heavy traffic.

Comfort was excellent, too, from the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque's suspension setup, which erred on the side of push rather than engage the driver too heavily when cornering.  This was a good match for the Evoque's adequate, but never sporty acceleration: off of the line, the 2.0-liter engine's turbo lag prevented much in the way of stoplight drag racing glory, but on the highway and once underway on city streets its response was much more vigorous.  I only ever noticed the nine-speed transmission when cruising at 30-mph, as it would occasionally manifest in the form of a hesitant rumble that I could feel through the accelerator.  Call it 'almost-lug.'  Could the Evoque use a bit more torque, especially when fully-laden?  Undoubtedly.  Does its driving experience suffer in its current form?  Unless you're looking to slalom your way to work in the morning, I would have to say 'no.'

The 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque left me liking it a lot more at the end of our week together than I did when I first picked it up.  I admit that I had several preconceptions about the compact SUV's practicality and luxury quotient, prejudices that were erased after loading it to the gills and experiencing its refined character first-hand.  I even came to a greater appreciation of its styling by the end of our seven-day relationship, which had me scratching my head in wonder that more of its German competitors don't leverage their vast resources in the pursuit of beauty alongside technical competence.  

It's clear that the Evoque, with its easy-to-inflate price tag and small dimensions, isn't for everyone.  For young SUV-shopping couples seeking to make a statement that fits in their assigned condo parking spot, however, this Land Rover is worthy of extra consideration.

Pros:

• The best-looking compact SUV out there.
• Well-appointed, luxurious interior.
• More practical than you might think.
• Standard four-wheel drive.
• Genuine off-road capability.
• Respectable fuel mileage.
• You can buy a coupe, if you really want to.

Cons:

• Can get expensive rather quickly at ordering time.
• Power is adequate, but nothing more.
• Trunk space could be better.
• Infotainment interface and gauge cluster are dated.

Land Rover Canada supplied the vehicle for this review.