The all-new 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque keeps its sleek, compact design and adds a more upscale interior. It’s all about what you don’t see at first glance that makes the new Evoque a big improvement over the previous generation.
While you won’t necessarily pick up on the modest exterior design changes, open the door and suddenly you see this is something new. It’s a beautiful interior with a luxury car feel thanks to ample use of quality materials.
There are padded surfaces everywhere and they’re all covered with soft leathers. The seats have quilted accents and there are wood and chrome trims that complete the look. One glance at this interior and there’s no doubt you’re in a luxury car.
Take a seat and you’ll find the Evoque comfortable with power adjustable seats that include lumbar support. They’re supportive without being stiff and have mild bolstering. Those with a larger frame, however, may find the front seats too narrow. It’s not so much of an issue if you’re tall, but those with a wider body may find the seats a little tight.
Rear passengers will find plenty of headroom and enough legroom as long as the front seats aren’t pushed far back. There’s room for three rear passengers, but again, if those passengers are larger than average, then it’s going to be a snug fit. The rear seats are best reserved for two unless the drive is a short one.
If it’s cargo rather than passengers, there’s 21.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 50.5 cubic feet behind the first row. Increase that capacity by towing up to 3,306 pounds of additional cargo.
Infotainment includes a 10-inch touchscreen that lets you touch, pinch, and zoom your way through the system. It includes standard navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, WiFi hotspot, and remote connectivity through a smartphone app. The system is quick to learn and easy to use.
The Evoque is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. On base trims it offers 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque while R-Dynamic trims get a boost to 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
We spent our time with the base engine, which feels anything but basic. It accelerate strongly and quietly with smooth transmission shifts, however that transmission can be a bit rough on occasion when starting out. Otherwise, it’s a lively and fun car to drive with minimal turbo lag.
The Evoque handles well with responsive steering that inspires confidence at every turn. There’s minimal body roll and the Evoque easily winds along twisting country roads.
It’s a comfortable ride with a remarkably quiet interior and a suspension system that soaks up the bumps. Even unseen potholes cause only minimal bounce for passengers.
The Evoque checks the luxury and performance boxes, but this is a Land Rover so it adds one more element – capability. This comes from all-wheel drive and a selection of drive modes that include snow, mud, rocks, and sand. While other SUVs look rugged, the Evoque has the chops to actually go off-road and handle the worst winter weather.
The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque offers a complete package for luxury SUV buyers. It has the style, elegance, and famous capability of a Land Rover with a smaller size that makes it ideal for urban dwellers. Pricing starts at $42,650.