Range Rover Evoque (2011-2019) Review

Designer SUV is stylish with great off-road ability

Strengths & weaknesses

  • Designer name and stylish looks
  • Luxurious interior
  • Choice of 2WD or 4WD
  • Expensive purchase price
  • Comparatively small back seat space
  • High road tax

Range Rover Evoque prices from £12,440   Finance from £250.99 per month

You’ve got the Joseph outfit, Mulberry bag and Dior sunglasses. Now complete the look with the Range Rover Evoque. The smallest car Land Rover makes is also its most fashionable. First launched on the catwalks of Britain’s roads in 2011, the Evoque remained fresh throughout its life thanks to few nips and tucks along the way.

It’s this designer-label attitude that has led drivers to embrace this smaller Range Rover with the enthusiasm of a shopaholic handed a fully loaded credit card. By the end of its first five years in production, more than half a million had been sold.

It was replaced in 2019 by a new Evoque, but the styling hasn't changed a great deal and used prices for this previous-generation model have dropped quite substantially since, so there's a strong case for taking a look at this one over the new model. It's also the only chance you'll have to finding one of the earlier three-door versions, as they are no longer available to buy new.

The small SUV market has become a seriously popular and hugely competitive as a result. Alongside the Evoque drivers can choose from the Audi Q3, BMW X2, Lexus NX, Mazda CX-5, Mercedes GLA, Mini Countryman, Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC40. Some of the more expensive versions of the Evoque see it compete with larger models such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and even the Jaguar F-Pace.

In addition to those, there is also Land Rover’s own alternative to consider. The Discovery Sport is a shade cheaper than the Range Rover Evoque, but offers a more spacious and practical interior and comes with the option of seven seats.

There are petrol and diesel-powered versions to choose from, but no hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Another decision to make is whether or not you need four-wheel drive. With one exception, every trim level is available with front-wheel drive, or you can pay a premium for four-wheel drive. Those who don’t intend to venture off the beaten track or do any towing are likely to be perfectly well served by the front-wheel drive version, and the fuel economy will be better.

It might be considerably smaller than the Range Rover, but the Evoque feels similarly luxurious, while a raised seating position, light steering and the fitment of front and rear parking sensors for every model make it easy to manoeuvre and park, a bonus when you hit the sales on the high street. On the open road, the Evoque is controlled and smooth, and surprisingly responsive for this type of car, even if it does lean a little if you go around corners quickly. 

Drivers looking for a tow-car will find the Evoque to be less capable than the full-fat Range Rover. It can haul 750kg of unbraked trailer weight, or 1,500kg braked. The Evoque is also understandably more cramped, thanks in part to that low, coupe-style roof and generally smaller dimensions. The boot is smaller too at 420 litres, and some of the alternatives listed above offer more than that.

When independently crash tested in 2011, the Range Rover Evoque received a full five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

 

Key facts

Warranty Three years/unlimited mileage
Boot size 420 litres
Width 1985mm
Length 4370mm
Height 1635mm
Tax £515-£1250 in first year, £140 or £450 thereafter / Pre-April 2017: £195 to £290 per year

Best Land Rover Range Rover Evoque for...

Best for Economy – Range Rover Evoque eD4 (150) SE manual

With two-wheel drive, the least powerful engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, the most frugal Evoque returns an official fuel economy of 48.7mpg and emits 154g/km.

Best for Families – Range Rover Evoque TD4 SE Tech automatic

The most powerful diesel engine gives strong performance even when loaded with passengers and luggage. Four-wheel drive provides excellent ability off road and in snow, while the automatic gearbox takes the strain out of driving and the list price falls below £40,000, keeping road tax lower than it would otherwise be.

Best for Performance – Range Rover Evoque Si4 HSE Dynamic

With a 0-60mph acceleration time of 6.8sec, the petrol-powered Evoque feels more like a sporty hatchback. However, take note that the fuel economy is 32mpg at best and the road tax is high.

One to Avoid – Range Rover Evoque Si4 HSE Dynamic Lux

They may be fun to drive, but petrol Si4 models are expensive to run and the HSE Dynamic Lux trim level takes the price to almost £50,000.

History

  • September 2011 The Range Rover Evoque goes on sale as a three-door coupe.
  • November 2011 A practical five-door Range Rover Evoque is introduced.
  • April 2012 The limited edition Range Rover Evoque Special Edition with Victoria Beckham is launched. The ex-Spice Girl helped design features such as rose gold highlights, tan leather interior and an accompanying wallet, hand-signed by Beckham.
  • March 2013 A nine-speed automatic gearbox replaces the previous six-speed version. It’s smoother and more economical
  • February 2014 The Autobiography Dynamic limited edition becomes the fastest Evoque.
  • August 2015 New, more efficient, 2.0 Ingenium diesel engines are introduced. All new Evoques have a minor redesign, with new bumpers, lights and improved dashboard entertainment software.
  • April 2016 A new 10.2-inch super-wide touchscreen is fitted to HSE Dynamic models and above. It's sleeker, without any physical buttons, and has advanced software that can find a free parking space.
  • April 2016 Range Rover Evoque Ember Special Edition, based on the Evoque HSE Dynamic, is launched with black paint and a red roof, along with 20-inch black alloy wheels.
  • July 2016 Range Rover Evoque Convertible goes on sale, offering open-top off-road motoring.
  • June 2018 Three-door Evoque dropped from range

Understanding Land Rover Range Rover Evoque names

Trim level Dynamic

This lets you know what equipment comes as standard. There are five levels: SE, SE Tech, Dynamic HSE, Dynamic HSE Lux and Autobiography, each with more equipment - and a higher price - than the previous one.

Engine TD4 180PS

Land Rover’s lower-powered diesel engine is badged ‘eD4’ and the more powerful is called ‘TD4’. The only petrol is called ‘Si4’. The power may be given in horsepower, which can also be written as PS.

Gearbox Manual

There’s either a six-speed manual gearbox or nine-speed automatic available.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Engines

Petrol: 2.0 Si4 Diesel: 2.0 eD4 & 2.0 TD4 Ingenium

The cheapest option is the 150 horsepower (hp) diesel engine badged eD4, which is only available in two-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. This is the most efficient engine in the range, although at a best of 48mpg that’s not saying much. The CO2 emissions are high, starting from 154g/km, which impacts on both the road tax and company car tax. Also, the eD4 engine’s performance is distinctly average, with from 0-60mph taking 9.3sec.

If you are looking for something more in keeping with the car’s sporty looks, then the more powerful diesel, named TD4, cuts the acceleration time to 9.1sec, or 8.6sec when combined with the automatic gearbox. This helps make overtaking manoeuvres quicker. It’s not as cheap to run as the eD4 diesel engine, with official fuel economy of 45mpg.

There’s only one petrol engine available, a 2.0-litre turbocharged motor with 240hp, labelled Si4. It’s the fastest engine in the range, but it’s only available with the nine-speed automatic gearbox, and on more expensive versions of the car, which have higher levels of standard equipment. It’s also by far the least efficient engine in the range, with CO2 emissions of 191g/km and fuel economy of 32.8mpg.

Land Rover does not offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid with the Range Rover Evoque.

 

Fuel economy

Power

Acceleration (0-62mph)

Top speed

2.0 eD4 150PS

48.7mpg

150hp

9.3

113mph

2.0 TD4 180PS

44.8 – 45.6mpg

180hp

9.1sec (8.6 auto)

124mph

2.0 Si4 240PS

32.8mpg

240hp

6.8sec

135mph

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Trims

SE, SE Tech, Landmark Edition, HSE Dynamic and HSE Dynamic Lux

The entry-level Range Rover Evoque SE is far from basic. It comes with heated leather seats with electric adjustment, a digital radio, 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, headlights and windscreen wipers that operate automatically, cruise control and a system that warns you if you stray out of your lane on the motorway.

Most dashboard functions are controlled by a touchscreen. Land Rover's latest system - standard on HSE Dynamic trim and above - is improved and looks much more stylish but requires an expensive series of options on cheaper Evoques, costing around £2,000.

Move up to SE Tech for an extra £2,000 and you'll get sat-nav, automatic and adaptive Xenon headlights, 12-way electrically-adjustable front seats and an electrically heated windscreen.

You’ll pay almost £6,000 more to upgrade to HSE Dynamic trim, which gives the Evoque a sportier exterior look. There are more aggressive-looking bumpers at the front and rear of the car, as well as larger 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the interior looks far more modern with a 10.2-inch touchscreen media display without any physical buttons. You use it like a smartphone - swiping and pinching to zoom. It has Land Rover's latest InControl Touch Pro software, which includes a wifi hotspot and advanced navigation that can find you a free parking space in some areas, and then continue directing you to the door of your destination via public transport or on foot by using your phone. A rearview camera is also included. This is the cheapest version of the Evoque available with the petrol engine.

As the name suggests, HSE Dynamic Lux adds a few luxuries over and above the HSE Dynamic, including keyless ignition, a Meridian surround-sound stereo, a large panoramic glass roof, all-round cameras which can also help you reverse while towing, an automatic parking system and an electric bootlid, which can be opened by waving your foot underneath the back bumper. By now, the price bears little resemblance to the cheapest model: this level is another £5,500 over HSE Dynamic.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Reliability and warranty

Land Rover doesn’t have a glowing reliability record - Range Rover models included, despite its ability to build cars that look and feel classy and solid.

The Evoque comes with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty which can be extended if you want more peace of mind. And approved-used Land Rovers that are less than five-years old (and under 100,000 miles) come with a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

To date, the Evoque has been the subject of seven recalls and most cars should have been rectified. For example, just over 9,000 cars built between June and October 2015 required work to engine mountings which could fail and cause the engine to cut out.

Used Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Buying a new or nearly new Range Rover Evoque makes a lot of sense, as it holds its value well. After three years, experts predict that a diesel model will be worth around 55% of its value after three years or 60,000 miles.

That's considerably better than a BMW X3, which is likely to fetch only 45%. It does mean that second-hand Range Rover Evoque deals are not as cheap as you might expect, but the car’s strong values may help to reduce the costs of Evoque finance offers.

There are currently 144 Range Rover Evoques available on BuyaCar, with prices ranging from £12,440 to £59,500 for nearly-new models.

The latest models, fitted with a type of engine known as Ingenium, are generally smoother and quieter than the motors fitted to Evoques before August 2015 – although some owners have complained of a harsh vibration from the diesel versions. Even so, if they are within your budget, then they are worth seeking out.

          
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Best for performance Range Rover Evoque Si4 HSE Dynamic

Price £12,440 £12,440 £12,440

Best for families Range Rover Evoque TD4 SE Tech

Price £12,440 £12,440 £12,440

Best for economy Range Rover Evoque eD4 (150) SE manual

Price N/A

Other Editions

Range Rover Evoque Convertible (2016 – 2019)

As a luxury convertible SUV, the Range Rover Evoque is stylish but not very practical

Range Rover Evoque (2019)

The all-new Evoque is even more stylish than before and better equipped but the rear interior is still a little cramped