2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
Range Rovers are notoriously extravagant, expensive vehicles. But since 2011, there's been a pint-sized, relatively affordable entry point to the brand with the Range Rover Evoque. The Evoque successfully retains the elegant, upscale styling we associate with Range Rover in a smaller form factor, but as a package, the results are mixed.
What's New
- New paint options: Arroios Grey, Tribeca Blue, and Corinthian Bronze
- New roof color options: Narvik Black and Corinthian Bronze
- Revised wheel options up to 21 inches
- Infotainment system with over-the-air updates and curved 11.4-inch touchscreen
- Standard wireless charging pad
- Simplified trim structure
- More powerful mild hybrid engine no longer available
- Base model price jumps $3,500
What We Think
The Evoque managed to snatch our 2012 SUV of the Year trophy when it debuted more than a decade ago, but these days, it's not as competitive.
To start, driving dynamics disappoint. The suspension is jittery and harsh, the only engine option lacks the grunt to keep up with its peers, and the steering is entirely devoid of feel. That underwhelming powertrain doesn't make up for its sorry performance with impressive fuel economy, either, and the engine doesn't feel refined enough for a vehicle that will cost buyers at least $50,000. We've also had build quality concerns.
The Evoque has plenty of redeeming qualities, though. We've been impressed by its performance off-road, especially in the sand, and the drivetrain is clever enough to recognize the terrain on which it's driving and switch to the appropriate drive mode. The Evoque is nimble on any surface, though the transmission can be slow to respond.
The Evoque is no doubt a looker, and we dig the interior styling. The infotainment experience should drastically improve with this year's update, too. Even with those strengths, though, there are other vehicles in the segment with more appeal.
Performance and Efficiency
All examples of the 2024 Evoque provide standard AWD, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4. The turbo-four develops 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Although 246 horses may sound sufficient, our testing reveals a luxury SUV that requires a near-unacceptable 9.0 seconds to reach 60 mph. Fuel economy numbers aren't especially noteworthy at 20/27 mpg city/highway, as there are quicker alternatives that are more efficient.
Safety Features
Plenty of driver assist active safety features are standard on the Evoque, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beams, driver condition monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. The Evoque hasn't been safety tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, though that's typical for Land Rovers and not uncommon for luxury cars.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The 2024 Evoque is the smallest Range Rover, and that's evident inside. Cargo space behind the rear seat is better than the Volvo XC40 but trails the BMW X1, and the Evoque has the least space of the three with the seats folded down. Rear legroom trails competitors, too, but when we evaluated the Evoque for 2020 SUV of the Year, we called its rear seat space capacious.
Technology
The Evoque's most obvious change for 2023 is the addition of a new 11.4-inch curved touchscreen infotainment display. Amazon Alexa plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all standard. The lower climate control touchscreen and knobs are gone, the controls now integrated with the infotainment interface and the space filled by a storage cubby and wireless charging pad.
Recommended Trim
Between the Evoque S and Evoque Dynamic SE, our money goes to the base SUV. The Evoque is plenty pricey to begin with, and considering the pricey model no longer has a more powerful engine and the entry-level SUV is relatively well equipped, we don't feel the need to spend more.
