Introduction

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is an five-seat crossover SUV with crisp style and a big dose of Land Rover's legendary off-road capability. 

The Evoque is now in the second year of its second generation, after being redesigned with softer styling and new suspension in 2020. For 2021, it gets a new twin-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a standard surround-view camera system and active lane control. 

The Evoque shares its chassis with the Land Rover Discovery Sport. It's 172.1 inches long, with a 105.6-inch wheelbase. 

It's powered by a 2.0-liter, 246-hp turbo-4 engine that gives it energetic and quiet acceleration. Its 9-speed automatic transmission is confident and quick. The ride is soft but it still handles with spirit through winding canyons, while being able to plow through mud and snow or climb steep trails thanks to its many traction modes. 

The 2021 Evoque is EPA-rated at 20 mpg city, 27 highway, 22 combined. 

It hasn't been crash-tested yet. Standard safety equipment includes low-speed automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, and active lane control. Available safety equipment includes full-speed automatic emergency braking, which comes with blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control. 

Lineup

Made in England, the Evoque comes in five models: S, R-Dynamic S, SE, R-Dynamic SE, and HSE. 

Starting at $44,350, the 2021 Evoque S comes with LED headlights, 10-way power front seats, 18-inch wheels, a surround-view camera system, and active lane control. 

The $45,950 R-Dynamic S adds cosmetic touches such as gray and copper trim. 

The $49,050 Evoque SE adds a power tailgate and 14-way front seats. 

The $50,650 R-Dynamic SE adds 20-inch wheels. 

The $54,450 Evoque R-Dynamic HSE adds Meridian sound, a gesture-controlled tailgate, a rear camera mirror, 16-way front seats, and full-speed automatic emergency braking. 

Options include leather upholstery, eucalyptus wood trim, 21-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and a camera system that projects a 180-degree view of the road ahead, useful for parking or off-roading. 

Walkaround

The Evoque is a low aerodynamic wedge with tall sides, slim glass, and big wheels. It's a bold styling statement that certainly stands out in the SUV world, especially in black trim and with a blacked-out roof. 

It's hard to imagine that it shares its running gear with the tall and boxy Land Rover Discovery Sport. 

Interior

The cabin is less extreme than the body, but maybe no less sublime, with woven or leather upholstery, metallic or wood trim, and acres of screens and digital displays. We love the Kvadrat textile or a fabulous eucalyptus fabric that gives the seats a tailored feel. 

It's on the snug side, spacious enough for four adults though it's pitched as a five-seater. The sleek roofline steals head room, and the available sliding glass roof steals more. The front seats could stand better padding and softer bolsters, but they adjust 10 or 16 directions. 

There's 21.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 50.5 cubic feet behind the fronts. 

The standard surround-view camera system is a good thing, given the pinched rearward vision. 

Driving Impression

The Evoque is powered by a punchy 246-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4, with a paddle-shifting 9-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. It's smooth and quiet, and the transmission is decisive. The full torque comes at a very low 1,300 rpm, so the Evoque can leap away from a stop, if you want it to. It can zip to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 143 mph. 

The handling is dart-like, with smart steering response and hefty steering feel as it twists through the curves. The bumps are softened by hydraulic front bushings, making the ride steady even with 21-inch wheels. 

The standard all-wheel-drive system disconnects from the rear wheels when it's not needed, for better gas mileage. There is no low range for pulling tree stumps, but then the elegant Evoque is not a farm implement. The traction control modes can do the job, including crossing a two-foot-deep river or stream. The Evoque is also capable of towing 4,000 pounds. 

Summary

The stunning Range Rover Evoque can do nearly anything the boxy Land Rover-ish Discovery Sport can, while it makes a more elegant entrance. The powertrain is flawless, the ride is composed, and the handling is agile. We'd pick the Evoque HSE with its warm, organically inspired trim to balance its cutting-edge shape. 

 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.