Range Rover Evoque review – a stylish small SUV with some drawbacks

Verdict – is the Range Rover Evoque a good car?

The Range Rover Evoque is the smallest car from the well-known SUV brand, and it’s also one of its most popular models. It brings some of the qualities from larger Range Rover models into a more affordable package, including smart looks, impressive interior and – arguably most importantly – badge appeal.

Range Rover Evoque models, specs and alternatives

The Range Rover Evoque is the brand’s smallest SUV, serving as the entry point in its lineup. This latest model is more advanced than the first-generation version, offering a sharper drive, more equipment and better fuel economy. It’s also more capable off-road than the previous version was.

Top 10 best luxury SUVs 2024

The small SUV market is more varied than ever before, so the Evoque now has rivals such as the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Audi Q3. The Range Rover Evoque has a surprisingly large selection of engines available for a car in 2024. There are diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid options available, although unlike models such as the BMW X1 and the iX1 EV model, there are no electric versions of the Evoque.

In 2020 the Evoque was given a small update to bring its styling closer to the larger Range Rover Velar, then in 2023 it was given another refresh that brought a few more tweaks to the styling for a more minimalist look, plus material quality was slightly improved.

This latest version of the Evoque is a little bigger inside than the previous car, but it’s not that different in terms of exterior dimensions. This means you should be able to fit in all the same parking spots as you could in the older model, despite having more room inside for the family. It uses a lot of the same underlying parts as the previous version (as well as the Jaguar E-Pace) but Land Rover has worked hard on what the car is like to drive, making it more comfortable and quieter inside.

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The E-Pace is actually a little more fun to drive than the Evoque, although neither is hugely exciting or sporty. We prefer the Range Rover overall; it’s great for long trips, while also being good for driving around town.

The P270e plug-in hybrid is the undisputed economy champion of the range, promising claimed figures of up to 196mpg and a pure electric range of around 38 miles. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, an electric motor at the rear, and a small 15kWh battery.

What about buying a used or nearly new Range Rover Evoque?

Early versions of this second generation Evoque will have a good discount compared to new or nearly new models, however they will be from 2018 – the first year of the Evoque Mk2 production – and out of manufacturer warranty. If you don’t want to look that far back there can still be a good saving made on looking for the updated version that arrived in 2020. You can check out prices on our sister site Buyacar.

What’s its history?

Entering showrooms back in 2011 the Range Rover Evoque was an instant sales hit and would become Land Rover’s best-selling car. That same year it won Auto Express Car of the Year and quickly snatched sales from other premium brands as buyers were tempted over by the car’s handling, comfort, and upmarket interior.

In 2015 the Evoque was facelifted with new Ingenium engines that were more efficient, plus there was more equipment to add to the luxury. In 2017 there was even a Convertible version launched, and although it wasn’t as good as the other models in the range, it filled a niche and had no real rivals at the time.

In 2018 this second-generation version arrived and impressed us once again thanks to its much-improved interior, tech and comfortable ride.

Used Range Rover Evoque (Mk1 2011-2018)

The first-generation Range Rover Evoque was a hit when it launched and it makes an interesting used buy now. It still looks and feels like a modern car, particularly with the later ‘Ingenium’ engines fitted to post-2015 models, but the model does have a reputation for being a bit unreliable and so you should budget for higher running costs than average. Prices are dipping into affordable territory for many, though.

Read the full Evoque Mk1 review...