Range Rover Evoque 2020 Review

The Range Rover Evoque has been around since 2011 and has earned its reputation as being a cute, mini Range Rover Sport. Being a hit with the ladies, it’s easy to see why it’s preferred over the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Jaguar E-Pace, all of which have a predominantly male target audience.

Exterior

So, what makes the Evoque a hit with the ladies? In one word, it’s the exterior. It’s stylish and that’s a word I’ll likely be using quite frequently throughout this review. This specific trim we have with us today and see above is the R Dynamic model – the sportier and more expensive option, which sees the introduction of black grilles, black accents on the hood, lower bumpers, and a black roof.

A very good-looking package overall, the Evoque is a pleasant sight and one that is made even better with Matrix LED headlights, 21-inch gloss black alloy wheels, and pop-out door handles that give the exterior a seamless design when not in use. My favorite detail of all, however, are the adorable tire valve covers that sport the British flag.

Interior

Just as unique as the exterior is the interior of the Evoque, with maroon leather embellishing the seats and dashboard, while suede completes the headliner and pillars. Much like other models in the Range Rover line-up, the Evoque also comes equipped with two high-definition screens on the dashboard, the upper one controlling the infotainment system while the lower one controls vehicle settings such as the terrain management and A/C controls.

Speaking of the terrain management system, each drive mode is easy to access and is accompanied by its own unique animation. For instance, the ‘Sand’ mode displays an animation wherein the car is making its way through sand, while the ‘Snow’ mode displays an animation of it making its way down a snow-covered path. It’s a small detail but a great one, nonetheless.

On the feature front, the Evoque is packed with lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, speed limiter, and plenty more. By far my favorite feature of all, however, is the seamless panoramic roof that lets plenty of light inside the cabin and can be enjoyed best when seated in the spacious and comfortable rear seats.

Drive

Although the Evoque is worthy of plenty of praise, it falls short on the performance front. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great for the city and is extremely smooth to drive but it’s just that when you’re looking for that little bit extra and you mash your right foot into the floor, the Evoque fails to deliver.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine chucks out 296 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, which isn’t bad by any measure, but it might just come down to the way the power is delivered. With the 9-speed automatic shuffling through gears smoothly and seamlessly, the Evoque is capable of reaching a top speed of 242 km/h.

Verdict

Lacking the thrill that more expensive models in the Range Rover line-up offer, the Evoque is a great car but an expensive one. The R Dynamic trim costs a whopping 328,000 Dirhams, which is steep although it is luxurious and stylish, especially since the starting price for a standard model is just 221,000 Dirhams. Would you pay a 100,000 Dirham premium to drive home a well-equipped Evoque? Let us know if the comments below.