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Evoque - A Change Of Heart

Topics:  Range Rover Evoque

Evoque - A Change Of Heart

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
September 16, 2013

Having a day out testing cars is great but the snag is you don’t get enough time with them. Not all mysteries are revealed and not all buttons pressed nor knobs twiddled. All that can be achieved from a half-hour is an overall impression but, hey, it’s better than nothing and nothing on the day made a better impression than the Range Rover Evoque, despite all the exotic machinery on offer. This is probably due to my preconceived negative vibes.

DriveWrite must confess that for no justifiable reason I had taken against the Evoque. Perhaps I felt it was a bit too ‘ Chelsea school run’; a bit too ‘Cheshire’ for its own good? All of which goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

The car in the image is a Prestige 4WD four cylinder 2.2L diesel coupe. It will manage the traffic light sprint in eight seconds and feels more powerful than the spec suggests. The company reckon that over 40mpg is doable. It’s the usual six-speed auto ‘box with paddle option. In Drive it is relaxed and comfortable. Switching to the paddle shifts livens things up a bit but the gearbox is great either way.

It wasn’t possible to take the Evoque off road in the time allotted but the specifications show good clearance and by stating approach and departure angles it suggests the company have confidence in a least a modicum of mud-plugging ability.

Climbing in, it was easy to immediately get comfortable and the interior is a very nice place to be, especially at this price point. The Premium leather seats are well bolstered and offer plenty of adjustment. All mod cons as you’d expect - including a necessary reversing camera - plus the added bonus of a panoramic glass roof which helped to make for a nice airy environment. I suggest that it could get a bit gloomy inside without it so that’s one essential option box ticked.

From the outside the ‘squashed’ look belies the space inside and there is no sense of the roof pressing down on you. Rear seat occupant space isn’t vast but is acceptable. Out on the road I warmed very quickly to the Evoque. I found it a pleasure to drive and it could be hustled along without drama. The ride height and broad windscreen gave a clear view of the road ahead. In short, reader, I was convinced. Of all the cars I would love to own, this is honestly one of a short list I would choose for my daily driver. That’s how impressed I was. £42k or so should do it if you‘re offering.