Range Rover Evoque SUV review

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 the smart looks, impressive interior and – arguably most importantly – badge appeal.

The first-generation Evoque was a huge seller in the years it was on sale, and remains a popular used car today. This latest version is much better than what went before, so it’s set to carry on that success – it’s sharper to drive, better equipped, and more economical than its predecessor. The Evoque even manages to hold on to qualities from larger Range Rover models that you might not expect, such as its impressive off-road ability.

Top 10 best luxury SUVs 2023

Key rivals for the Evoque include the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Audi Q3, as well as the Jaguar E-Pace from Land Rover’s sister brand. There are plenty of models to choose from, including diesels (the D165 and D200) and petrols (P200, P250 and P300). The plug-in hybrid P300e is another interesting option and could save you money on fuel – and since there’s no all-electric version to rival the BMW iX1 or Tesla Model Y, it’s the only option for those who want a plug-in Evoque at the moment.

In 2020 the Evoque was given a small update to make it look more like the larger Range Rover Velar, plus it received a slightly different interior, new technology and new engine options including the aforementioned plug-in hybrid version. 

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 P300e plug-in hybrid is the undisputed economy champion of the range, promising claimed figures of up to 201.8mpg 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.

Range Rover Evoque gets a facelift for 2024 model year

The Range Rover Evoque gets a further facelift for 2024, bringing updated tech and a subtle makeover

The Range Rover Evoque has been given a further refresh for 2024, bringing a slightly tweaked exterior design and upgraded tech. The new Evoque can be ordered from mid-June 2023 and has a higher starting price than before at £40,080.

The new Evoque gets a very subtle exterior redesign, including a slightly tweaked grille and slimmer pixel LED headlights and taillights, which reportedly reduce glare for other road users. The new look takes cues from the rest of the Range Rover lineup, with the brand taking a more minimalist approach to its styling of late.

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All the same trim levels as the outgoing model will be carried over for the facelifted car, although ‘R-Dynamic’ will be simplified to ‘Dynamic’. On the inside the new Evoque gets a larger 11.4-inch floating infotainment screen, using the latest version of the brand’s Pivi Pro system with Amazon Alexa voice command functionality. The physical climate controls of the pre-facelift Evoque have been removed to create a dashboard with a cleaner look, and its functions are now activated via the central touchscreen. 

Land Rover says the Evoque now uses much higher quality materials than before, to echo the more premium feel of larger models in the range. Among the interior upholstery options is a Kvadrat luxury wool blend fabric, which is an alternative luxury choice to traditional leather trim.

The same diesel D165, D200 and petrol P200 and P250 mild-hybrid engines will be carried over from the pre-facelift model, with all versions except the D165 S manual coming with four-wheel drive as standard

The P300e plug-in hybrid petrol model will also be carried over, albeit with some updates which improve its electric range by one mile over the outgoing model, with an official 39 miles to a charge.

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...