The Range Rover Evoque is certainly not the first stylish Land Rover car but it was still a bit of game changer when it came along in 2011.
Combining the deeply capable Land Rover Terrain Response off-road system with a svelte three- or five-door body style proved to be an extremely tempting combination – there’s even a Range Rover Evoque Convertible on the way.
If you want a tough off-roader that looks just as good cruising around town as it does in the wilderness, look no further.
Here we’ve weighed up all the engine and trim options to decide how to get the most for you money. For deals in your local area check out the Parkers Cars for Sale section.
Which Range Rover Evoque option is right for you?
First things first, you need to work out whether you want three or five doors, then decide if you need four-wheel drive or not, as these choices will restrict your engine and trim options.
Three- or five-door?
The three-door model is known as the Range Rover Evoque Coupe and starts at £32,200. Five-door cars are cheaper as they can be bought in all five trims, so begin at £30,200.
While the coupe has a 550-litre boot which expands to 1,350 litres with the rear seats down, the five-door is more practical with 575 and 1,445 litres. It’s also much easier to access the back bench, but the coupe looks more stylish thanks to its sporty three-door shape, and it’s a little cheaper to run.
Finally, the coupe is more restrictive in terms of choice. You can’t have one in base-spec SE and you can’t have a manual four-wheel drive model, as it’s automatic only, unlike the five-door.
Two- or four-wheel drive?
The two- or four-wheel drive consideration largely comes down to budget and necessity. Unsurprisingly the front-wheel drive Evoque is cheaper – it’ll save you £2,600 when you compare like for like.
Front-wheel drive comes in the two lowest trims (SE and SE Tech) only, whereas four-wheel drive is available in all five equipment grades.
Prices for four-wheel drive start at £32,800 and £36,600 for the five-door and coupe respectively (the latter pushed up by the mandatory automatic gearbox).
Two-wheel drive is the cheaper to buy and has lower running costs, so pick this if you want to keep bills down and don’t plan on going off-road.
If you want a high-spec Evoque, regularly traverse muddy fields, or like the extra on-road security provided by four-wheel drive, go down that route.
Engine choice: diesels and one petrol
The Range Rover Evoque is offered with Jaguar Land Rover’s “Ingenium” diesels and a high-powered petrol. The economy figures below are based on the five-door for ease of comparison.
Things start with the 2-litre eD4 diesel, which produces 148bhp. It’s available with two-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox in the bottom two trim levels only. It’s the cheapest to run though, with a promised 65.6mpg and 113g/km of CO2.
Next up is the 2-litre TD4 diesel which produces 178bhp and is available with a six-speed manual (five-door only) or nine-speed automatic gearbox (both body-styles). This is available in most trim levels depending on which shape Evoque you buy.
The manual claims 59.4mpg and 125g/km of CO2, while the automatic is good for 55.3mpg and 134g/km of CO2.
Finally there is the sole petrol offering, which is not available in the bottom two or the top equipment grades. The powerful 2-litre Si4 engine produces 237bhp and is only available as a four-wheel drive automatic. This will crack 0-62mph in just 7.1 seconds and feels very quick, but it’s the least economical, promising 36.2mpg and 181g/km of CO2.
Gearbox options: manual or automatic
The bottom engine is manual only (coupe only), the middle engine comes with both boxes, and the top engine is automatic only.
DIY shifters won’t be disappointed with the six-speed manual gearbox, which features trademark Land Rover precision.
However, the nine-speed automatic box is a real treat. Smooth and fast in its shifts, it blends gear changes together into one continual burst of power. Paddles behind the wheel are a nice touch but in practice the sheer number of gears is a bit overwhelming. Just leave it in auto and let it do its thing.
The auto box costs £1,800 more than the manual and only has a slightly negative effect on fuel economy and CO2 figures.
Equipment line-up
There are five trim levels to choose from, starting at SE, then SE Tech, HSE Dynamic, HSE Dynamic Lux and finally Autobiography.
Here are some highlights from each grade, but for a full run down head over to Range Rover Evoque full review.
The base-spec Evoque SE comes well equipped from the off with cruise control, leather steering wheel, electrically adjustable and heated leather front seats, front and rear parking sensors, eight-speaker sound system with DAB radio, and 18-inch alloys.
Upgrade to SE Tech if you want a touchscreen sat-nav, plus Xenon headlamps with LED signature lighting and heated front screen.
Next up is the HSE Dynamic spec which adds a sporty bodykit, illuminated treadplates, upgraded sound system with 11 speakers and subwoofer, a rear parking camera, and 20-inch alloys.
Building on this grade is HSE Dynamic Lux which gets you an even louder stereo with 17 speakers and subwoofer, panoramic glass roof, keyless entry, autonomous parking, surround view camera and an eight-inch touch-screen.
Finally, Autobiography tops things off with 14-way, electrically-powered driver’s seat with memory function, heated rear seats, a full leather interior, premium carpet mats, and 20-inch, diamond finish alloys.
Which version is best?
There is no one perfect version of the Range Rover Evoque that will suit everybody.
For low running costs or city-driving we recommend the two-wheel drive, manual 2-litre eD4 SE five-door.
A solid all-rounder means upgrading to a four-wheel drive, 2-litre TD4 SE Tech five-door with the manual gearbox. This adds sat-nav and comes with the practicality of five doors, plus a more powerful but still economical engine.
To get a sporty or stylish look you want an HSE Dynamic spec car with three-doors, so pick the 2.0 TD4 automatic.
If you want gadgets and performance pick the HSE Dynamic Lux spec with the 2-litre Si4 petrol engine, with three- or five-doors (it’s an automatic regardless).
Finally, for the ultimate in luxury for you and your passengers select the 2-litre TD4 in Autobiography trim with five-doors. This version is also auto gearbox only.
Undecided if the Range Rover Evoque is for you? The below articles may help you choose your next new car:
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