The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque blazes its own trail, with a sleek, low-slung look that marks a radical departure from other Land Rover vehicles. Yet, despite its non-SUV-like appearance, the little Evoque is still a Land Rover at heart, every bit as capable off-road as it is on.
The all-wheel-drive Evoque has several characteristics that set it apart from the competition. Perhaps the most notable is its interior, which features excellent build quality, fine materials and pleasing aesthetics. Even in base trim, the Evoque's interior is stunning, with soft-touch materials, brushed aluminum trim and an automatic gear selector that rises out of the center console.
Available as a 5-door SUV or 2-door convertible, the Evoque is intended to lure in younger buyers whose budgets can't quite accommodate a pricey Range Rover Sport. With a starting price of just under $43,000, the Evoque may very well be the best-looking bargain in the Land Rover fleet.
What's New for 2018?
For 2018, the 3-door Evoque is dropped from the lineup and two new gasoline turbocharged 4-cylinder engines are added. Although both new engines have the same 2.0-liter displacement, one is a high-output version with 286 horsepower. Auto-dimming exterior mirrors are made standard on HSE and higher trims, and a new Landmark Edition trim is added.
What We Like
Distinctive styling; responsive handling; powerful yet fuel-efficient engines
What We Don't
Significant road noise; small interior space; no locking differentials; high base price compared to Acura and Infiniti models
How Much?
$42,795-$70,000
Fuel Economy
Under the hood of the 2018 Range Rover Evoque resides a choice between two 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. The standard unit produces 237 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque, while the high-output version of the same engine ups horsepower to 286 and torque to 295 lb-ft. Both engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with the high-output engine, the Evoque can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in an impressive 6.0 seconds and attain a top speed of 144 mph. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy estimates are yet to be determined for these new engines.
Standard Features & Options
The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque comes in two body styles and six trims. The 5-door model is offered as the SE, SE Premium, HSE, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography and Landmark Edition, while the convertible comes in only two trims: SE Dynamic and HSE Dynamic.
The Evoque SE ($42,795) features a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, Terrain Response driver-selectable all-wheel drive, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding and heated side mirrors, keyless entry and starting, 18-inch wheels, perforated leather seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-way power front seat with 4-way power lumbar control, All-Terrain Progress Control, front and rear parking sensors, a rear backup camera, 8-in touchscreen audio with InControl Plus navigation, Bluetooth and a USB/iPod interface.
The Evoque SE Premium (5-door, $46,895) adds bi-xenon headlights with LED surrounds and power washers, front fog lights, a gesture-activated lift gate, a fixed-glass panel roof, driver's-seat memory and InControl apps.
The Evoque Landmark Edition ($49,395) adds to the SE Premium features 19-in gloss dark gray finished wheels, graphite colored hood louvers and grill surround, dynamic body styling, a dark tinted fixed moonroof and unique exterior paint options.
The Evoque SE Dynamic convertible ($53,095) includes a power-folding top, heated side mirrors with memory, a 10.2-in touchscreen, 18-in wheels and an 11-speaker, 380-watt Meridian sound system.
The Evoque HSE ($52,095) adds 19-in wheels, automatic high-beam assist, Oxford leather seating, heated front seats, InControl Touch Pro with navigation and a 10.2-in touchscreen, 11-speaker 380-watt Meridian sound system, configurable mood lighting and a blind spot monitoring system with rear-cross traffic alert.
The Evoque HSE Dynamic ($55,295) offers the same features as the HSE, but with more exterior and interior trim and color choices, Adaptive Dynamics with Dynamic Mode, illuminated tread plates, an aero rear flip spoiler and bright exhaust finishers.
The Evoque HSE Dynamic convertible ($58,795) adds the same features as the 5-door, minus the panoramic sunroof and spoiler. It also includes 12-way oxford leather front seats, InControl Pro with navigation and Narvik Black accents.
The Evoque Autobiography ($63,595) adds a full Oxford leather interior, 14-way heated and massaging front seats, an 825-watt 17-speaker Meridian audio system, heated rear seats and steering wheel, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, 20-in wheels and a unique Autobiography exterior treatment.
Option packages for the Range Rover Evoque include the Cold Climate package (a heated windshield, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats and heated windshield-washer jets) and the Driver Assistance package (a blind spot monitoring system with a closing-vehicle sensor, automatic high beams and rear cross-traffic alert). The HSE Driver Assistance package adds the Surround View camera and parallel and perpendicular park assist, while the Driver Assistance Plus package brings a head-up display and LED adaptive front lighting. The HSE Dynamic Driver Assistance Plus Package adds autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, and the Luxury Seating package adds heated and ventilated front seats with adjustable side bolsters, heated rear outboard seating, a heated steering wheel and heated windshield washers.
Options include a rear-seat entertainment system, 4G Wi-Fi, 825-watt Meridian audio and upgraded interior and exterior trim.
Safety
The Evoque is loaded with many advanced safety technologies, including anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake lights and emergency brake assist, corner brake control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, Trailer Stability Assist, hill-start assist, Hill Descent Control, Gradient Release Control and engine-drag torque control.
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash-tested the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.
Behind the Wheel
Drivers who are familiar with the driving characteristics of other Land Rovers will find the Evoque atypical. It's noticeably stiffer than you'd expect over bumps and through corners, but the suspension and chassis aren't overly rigid -- they're just taut enough to allow the Evoque to handle with firm precision.
The power produced by both turbocharged 4-cylinder engines is impressive. Even with light application of the accelerator pedal, the Evoque eagerly rockets forward with relentless horsepower and torque. Typically, we love peppy, energetic vehicles, but in the Evoque it almost feels like overkill. It's not the performance that bothers us, but whenever the turbocharger kicks in, we know fuel economy suffers. Very tender throttle input is needed to keep the Evoque from coming up short of its EPA fuel economy ratings.
The interior of the 2018 Range Rover Evoque is a visual masterpiece and extremely comfortable. Surprisingly, though, the cabin suffers from more road noise than we'd expect in a luxury-oriented vehicle, especially on the highway. In most small SUVs, this may be acceptable, but at the $43,000 mark, we'd hope for more sound insulation.
Other Cars to Consider
2018 Volvo XC60 -- Starting at around $43,000, the all-new XC60 is powered by a choice of either turbocharged or turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder engines. With striking body lines, the same or better hp rating and an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the XC60 is a strong competitor to the Evoque.
2018 BMW X5 -- The X5 can be fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder, a 4.4-liter V8 or a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engines, all paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The interior of the X5 might not be as stunning as the Evoque's, but it is slightly larger and more livable.
2018 Audi Q5 -- The base Q5's turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine only makes 220 hp. An available supercharged V6 packs 272 hp, but fuel economy suffers. Audi's world-renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system is also standard.
2018 Acura RDX -- The RDX costs less than the Range Rover Evoque and has better resale values and a standard V6 engine with more power.
Used Porsche Cayenne -- A 2012-2016 Porsche Cayenne offers more power and options, as well as better performance.
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