A question for you, what do you do when you want to buy a luxury SUV without driving a gas guzzling behemoth? The answer, the Range Rover Evoque.
Daman and I once again had the pleasure of testing a new car and we had a blast!
The Evoque is Range Rover’s answer to practicality, performance and style. As sales of large SUVs are slowing down, the trend is leaning towards buying compact vehicles that offer the comforts and luxuries of traditionally large vehicles, while still being eco and wallet friendly. This is where the Evoque shines.
The version that we are driving for the purpose of this review is the Evoque Coupe (or 3 door). It’s meant to provide an SUV alternative to couples or young executives who want the look of a coupe, but the go-everywhere versatility and all-wheel drive security of an SUV.
The Evoque’s is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder with 240hp. 0-60 mph (97km/hr) goes by in about 6.7 seconds. Its acceleration and handling can hang with the best in its class. In the real world, it’s far more than adequate.
The all-wheel drive system is based off a 4th gen Haldex system which transfers power to the rear wheels when the fronts begin to slip. The system works transparently and quickly. It’s far better than some competing vehicles on the market (although the Evoque is more expensive) and you really rarely feel the front wheels struggle for traction. All you can feel is grip when you need it.
Another standout feature of the car is the amazing Meridian sound system. The clarity was outstanding and the bass was strong, but it didn’t overpower the listening experience. Without a doubt, one of the best features of the truck…err coupe, is the panoramic moonroof. Almost the entire roof of the car is a window! It made driving the Evoque coupe feel really open, and adds to the calming and enjoyable experience behind the wheel. Plus it got a lot of “Wow’s!” from my passengers.
However, the Evoque is not free of flaws. The coupe version is a nightmare for functionality when it comes to rear seat passenger room. If you think about it in the context of a 2 door sports coupe of the same size, you won’t be disappointed. Think of it as anything else and you will be.
Rear seat legroom and access was particularly challenging. The good news is that you can buy the five-door version and avoid many of the problems we encountered. Another interesting note is that the rear cargo room behind the 2nd row seats is about the same between this 3 door coupe version and the 5 door Evoque.
If you’re looking for a premium SUV that will turn heads everywhere it goes, has the sporty nature of a coupe but yet the high seating position and safety of all-wheel drive, keep the Evoque Coupe on your short list!
All in all, I had a great experience driving the Range Rover Evoque Coupe. Watch the video and learn more about what we had to say!
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