Range Rover Evoque review

The original Range Rover Evoque changed Land Rover forever. Before the watershed moment at which it was launched, the British brand's SUVs were handsome enough but in quite a functional, boxy sort of way. Then along came the Evoque and suddenly the brand was as much about fashion and glamour as it was off-roading and country estates. 

It’s hardly surprising, then, that Land Rover chose to be pretty sympathetic to the original design with this second-generation model; it would have been daft not to, given the first Evoque’s success in the sales charts. That said, it isn't too hard to see the influence of the pricier Range Rover Velar, particularly in the squintier lights at the front and back and the flush-fitting door handles, which pop out of the doors gracefully when you unlock the car.

Keen to capitalise on that success, Land Rover has made solid efforts to keep the Evoque up to date; 2020 saw it receiving a subtle nip and tuck inside and out, as well as more sophisticated infotainment and a range of more efficient petrol engines. You can even get it as a plug-in hybrid these days.

The Range Rover Evoque’s key rivals include the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and a former What Car? Car of the Year, the Volvo XC40. None of these purports to be as capable as the Evoque off the beaten track, but how do they square up when it comes to on-road driving manner, interior quality, safety, practicality and running costs? Over the next few pages we’ll tell you everything you need to know.

And if you decide to buy, our New Car Buying service might well be able to help you secure a big discount on the Evoque and many other models all, – without any awkward haggling.