2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Pure Plus Review

As the highest-priced diesel variant to boast five doors, the Range Rover Evoque in the Prestige level of trim certainly lived upwardly to its proper name. Information technology arrived at motoring.com.au finished in an understated metal color and trimmed to the nines inside.

The attractive, leather-upholstered interior was complemented by flashy, high-resolution displays for infotainment and instruments. Every bit we've come to expect of Jaguar Land Rover products, the infotainment touchscreen was easy to utilise and, in combination with the trip reckoner read-out in the instrument binnacle and redundant switchgear for different functions, didn't crave a lot of constant drilling down and backing out of menus to remain properly informed at all times.

Most controls were within easy achieve and the whole driving position was platonic. Get-go-time passengers were knocked out (non literally) by the rising gear selection dial. But seat-heating was missed during Melbourne's extreme cold spell during the week the Evoque was beingness assessed.

The seats themselves were comfortable and well shaped in both the forepart and the rear nevertheless. Despite the relatively curt wheelbase, the Evoque provided kneeroom fit for average-sized adults in the rear, but it wasn't a identify for stretching out, despite that. The rear seats could fold down for added luggage chapters, but not completely flat.

There was a useful amount of storage space in the front, and fifty-fifty with the panoramic sunroof fitted as an extra-cost option for $1800, front and rear headroom was adequate. Under the kicking floor there was a infinite-saver spare, which seemed at odds with the Evoque'due south nominal off-route potential.

Around town the Evoque was easy to park and the optional cameras (Surround Camera Arrangement – $1390) were very effective, but the acoustic alarms warning the driver of proximity to an obstacle were quite strident. The external mirrors were large enough to exist of some value, just tucked in close to the body piece of work, which was really handy in tight going and contributed to the Evoque'south compact feeling behind the wheel. For the old-fashioned over-the-shoulder-check, the Evoque's field of vision was pretty good – better in fact than other cars approaching the Evoque for stylishness.

Fuel consumption for the week was nine.1L/100km, which was ameliorate than some similarly-sized diesel SUVs, only the Evoque benefited from longer runs at lower speeds on arterial roads. In a standard week of commuting the Evoque's fuel consumption (complete with common cold starting and more traffic calorie-free halts) would have been over 10.0L/100km without doubt.

The jury's out on the value of the idle-stop organization in the Evoque. It didn't seem to save a lot of fuel, unlike our feel with some petrol-engined vehicles using this sort of arrangement. Similarly, the 9 speeds of the ZF auto transmission provided little benefit saving fuel, since the Evoque didn't attain the sort of speed where the highest ratio came into play.

The engine, which lacks for zip in the way of power and torque, seems a trivial agricultural these days, particularly after sampling the D4 diesel fuel of the Volvo S60 and XC60, for instance. There was plenty of crust-cutting rock and curl at idle from the Evoque, and in that location was some turbo-lag axiomatic, along with a constant rumble at freeway speeds. The engine was tiresome to current of air up while cornering or from launch.

Shifted manually with the paddles, the ZF transmission was both responsive and polish, only the engine just didn't feel that charismatic or sporty used this way. On occasions, the manual would kick down, overwhelming the sequential shifting. Strangely, too, the ZF would hold a gear longer as the engine approached redline, even in Sport mode and using the paddles. It wasn't the fastest way to rip through the gears and it quickly became apparent that the drivetrain worked meliorate shifting manually before the engine reached 4000rpm. Fortunately there remained abundant torque and ability lower downwards the calibration for the next gear.

In corners the Evoque proved dynamically capable, whether the Terrain Response system was set to dynamic mode or simply normal operating way. Steering was direct and fairly communicative for an SUV. Handling was fine and the Evoque'south roadholding was commendable. Simply after lavishing praise on the Range Rover Sport for its exceptional ride and handling balance, I found the Evoque's lack of ride comfort to be a shock. The only give in the break seemed to exist provided by the Goodyear tyres, which were very capable on the route – and repose on country roads as well.

Off the road in the Evoque did come unstuck at one betoken – due to driver error...

There was no shortage of grunt for tackling steep grades, just I did have the Terrain Response system in the wrong way at i phase – sand rather than gravel. The Evoque ground to a halt with wheels spinning helplessly. By backing up for a run-up the Evoque did crest the form successfully, and subsequently proved its mettle in the bush past pressing on up and over a challenging mogul with 1 wheel suspended in the air.

As I've noted for the Evoque'due south sibling, the Freelander, State Rover'south Loma Descent Control is, frankly, not every bit proficient equally Jeep'south system in the Cherokee. Where the Evoque actually kicks goals is its approach, departure and pause-over angles. The SUV didn't scrape or grind its underbelly over what would be considered a moderately challenging test for a typical vehicle of this size and stature.

Simply at that place were some quibbles in add-on to those already mentioned. At night, for instance, the headlights were set also low and weren't specially bright on low-beam. The brakes were slow to release on a hill, and the pads remained clamped to the rotors if the commuter applied ability apace. This would be accompanied by a graunching dissonance that was disconcerting the kickoff fourth dimension it was heard.

For a car priced this close to $80,000 – and actually to a higher place $88,000 with the fitted options factored in – the Evoque had a few build-related noises during our week testing the car. These included a plastic rattle in the nuance, a squeak from the rear seats and thuds and thumps from the luggage compartment. The vehicle had travelled less than 3900km, only that distance, in an off-roading press vehicle, may have added upward to difficult kays.

In the concluding launder-upwards, the Evoque's entreatment remains beyond uncertainty, merely it's not a car one would recommend without qualification. Beyond the points already mentioned higher up, there'due south this to consider: Ingenium-powered Evoques will be arriving in Australia nearly the terminate of this year or early 2016. That might exist reason enough in itself to hold-off buying for the moment.

2015 Range Rover Evoque Prestige SD4 pricing and specifications:
Cost: $76,895 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.ii-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/420Nm
Manual: Ix-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Four-star ANCAP

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Source: https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/range-rover-evoque-2015-review-52905/

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