Range Rover Evoque TD4 HSE road test review
- Comparison test: Range Rover v Mercedes-Benz v BMW v Lexus
- She says, he says: Range Rover Evoque HSE Dynamic
- First drive: 2016 Range Rover Evoque Convertible
Range Rover's Evoque has been a nice little success for the brand since it arrived in 2011. After all, Range Rover until then stood predominantly for big, heavy off-roaders that were also out of the budget of the booming bottom end of the luxury SUV market.
It was instantly the top selling Rangie on the market and had people craving its sleek design and more city-friendly on-road manners.
But things move on and, for the Evoque, the competition has ramped up. So late in 2015 it was given an upgrade that included new diesel engines, more features and a revised lineup.
While there's still plenty of choice, the range has been pared back. In particular, most of the manual models have been dropped, an admission they weren't popular in the auto-heavy landscape of luxury SUVs.
What do you get?
The Evoque has never been a bargain considering its size, but it has considering it's a Range Rover now priced from $51,995 (plus on-road and dealer costs). As part of the upgrade the model names have fallen into line with the bigger Range Rovers. While Pure continues as the entry grade the range now steps through SE, HSE and HSE Dynamic.
That Pure model is a manual that drives only the front wheels (more than other Evoques it's designed for on-road driving). The cheapest auto is a more substantial $57,995, and while it now includes auto emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a new 8.0-inch touchscreen, it misses out on leather trim.
For that you've got to step up to the SE (from $62,495) that also gets smart key entry, powered front seats and various trim upgrades, including the fancy illuminated puddle lights that project a silhouette of the car on the ground on either side.
From there it's a more powerful diesel engine (up from 110kW/380Nm to 132kW/430Nm) for $4000 or the HSE (from $73,495) and HSE Dynamic (from $76,995) that flesh out the expansive range, bringing everything from a fancy Meridian sound system and xenon headlights to bigger wheels (they range from 17-inch units to optional 20s) to plusher Oxford perforated leather and a head-up display.
Those wanting petrol power can choose an Si4 model (the engine is unchanged) that is thousands more than the diesel variants but does come with more power for better performance.
There are options aplenty and the three-door Coupe – once sold with a price premium – has been brought back into line with the pricing of the more practical five-door. But it's only available in more expensive HSE and HSE Dynamic grades.
It's also worth mentioning servicing; the Evoque is the first Land Rover to get a service schedule, whereby you pay an upfront fee for set services. It covers the first five years or 102,000km, and the car only calls for a service every two years or 34,000km.
What's inside?
Fresh and functional define what is a familiar but well presented cabin. There are elements that reinforce its Range Rover lineage, from the circular gear selector and chunky silver stanchions cutting through the dash to the ergonomically friendly switchgear and crisp, elegant displays (even the reversing camera is sharp and clear).
Of course one area the Evoque won't match the big Rangies is with interior space. The back seat, in particular, is compact, thanks to a slightly higher stance than those up front and a narrow seat base that makes three a squeeze.
Up front the comfy pews and lower hip point create a more spacious feeling, and there's good adjustability to the steering column that reaffirms the car is accommodating of all shapes and sizes.
Vision out the back is limited by the slim rear window; while we're out there, the boot is compact but useful in its dimensions.
Elsewhere the user-friendliness flows through. The instrument cluster teams traditional circular gauges with a detailed customisable trip computer that also displays other functions. And the head-up display is clear and concise; it's also one of the few available that works with polarised sunglasses.
Storage is a strong suit, with cupholders and big binnacles for drink bottles or phones. And the touchscreen has easily deciphered menus complemented by fixed buttons down either side.
Under the bonnet
It's all about the new diesel engine in the updated Evoque. Previously Land Rover sourced its 2.2-litre turbo diesel from Ford, but the Evoque now gets a brand new engine designed in-house. The new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel is marketed as Ingenium and will also be used in other Land Rovers and various Jaguars.
On paper the new engine is not a huge departure from the one it replaces. Power has actually fallen from 140kW to 132kW in the so-called 180 version (the number refers to the power output in horsepower; the lower output unit is referred to as 150). And torque has only crept up a modest 2 per cent, or 10Nm to 430Nm.
Yet performance doesn't feel radically different. The Evoque 180 diesel is claimed to reach 100km/h in 9.0 seconds; good but not exceptional. It has plenty of torque low in the rev range where it's very useful in keeping things percolating along. And it melds OK with the nine-speed automatic that is often busy between gears but is decisive in its selections. There's also a Sport mode that holds gears longer, something handy on twisting roads.
But there's noticeable turbo lag, where the turbo tags a moment to spin up and respond to what your right foot is demanding. It's exacerbated by the transmission's, which seems to take off in second gear unless you jab the throttle pedal hard. The result is it'll take a second or two for any meaningful performance. That's an issue when jumping out of an intersection or just keeping pace with thrusting stop-start traffic.
Thankfully the engine is a step up in refinement; it's smooth and respectably quiet. The same goes for the stop-start system, which seamlessly shuts the engine down when stationary.
Fuel use, too, is a strong suit. Claimed consumption is just 5.1 litres per 100km, and while we found that figure unachievable in everyday driving, the returned 8.5L/100km was decent given the prevalence of suburban driving.
On the road
While it's claimed to be class leading in its off-road performance, the reality is the Evoque is not designed to go anywhere near as far as the bigger Range Rovers. Its relatively still suspension limits wheel articulation, for example, while there's no low range gearing and only modest ground clearance.
At least the Terrain Response system that tailors traction control systems to various surfaces ensures smart progress.
On-road, though, it's a different story, and the Evoque is adept at tackling all types of bitumen. Relatively firm suspension contains body roll well, so it doesn't shy away from twists and turns. Indeed the Evoque will confidently devour flowing bends, and does a decent job of settling into tighter turns too. Our car was fitted with the optional Adaptive Dynamics system that includes a "Dynamic Mode", which stiffens the suspension further.
For most Australian roads it takes things too far, taking the already-stiffly-sprung body and increasing the jarring over second grade surfaces. The steering, too – which is very direct and responsive – trades lightness for an occasionally artificial weighting.
The optional 20-inch tyres on our car, though, didn't help that ride. It can thunder into sharp-edged road joins or potholes and exacerbates the booming noise from the rear suspension. Best to stick with slightly smaller wheels if comfort is high on your wish list.
Then again, those 20s certainly gripped well, again ensuring surprisingly brisk performance through corners. When it does reach its limits it's the front tyres to protest first, gently scrubbing wide in response.
Verdict
Time can take a big toll on once ground breaking cars. And while the Evoque hasn't fizzled into insignificance – in fact anything but – it's no longer the game changer it was when it arrived on the scene almost five years ago. It's fashion and design that best define its place in an increasingly competitive luxury SUV segment.
The new diesel engine brings improvements to refinement and efficiency, but the lag from a standstill takes the gloss off an otherwise good driving experience.
2016 Range Rover Evoque TD4 HSE pricing and specifications
Price: $73,495, plus on-road and dealer costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 132kW at 4000rpm
Torque: 430Nm at 1750rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto, four-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 5.1L/100km
The Competitors
Mercedes-Benz GLC250d
Price: $69,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 150kW
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic; all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 5.7L/100km
Our score: 7/10
BMW X4 xDrive 20d
Price: $74,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 140kW
Torque: 400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 5.4L/100km
Our score: Not yet rated
Audi Q5 3.0 TDI
Price: $77,200 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Power: 180kW
Torque: 580Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic; all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 6.4L/100km
Our score: Not yet rated