Range Rover Evoque diesel and petrol 2011 review

This is the "it" car of 2012 for sure. Jennifer Hawkins picks up her Range Rover Evoque this week and punters have been lining up at dealers to plonk down their money.

This is the new Land Rover Range Rover in distilled form and in this case small doesn't make it a lesser vehicle. It will go almost anywhere in comfort and style, has great on and off-road manners and is crammed with luxury goodies. An extensive options list allows buyers to virtually "custom make" the Evoque of their choice with budget being the only limiting factor.

THE LINE-UP

Explore the 2011 Range Rover Evoque range

• Range Rover Evoque 2011 review
• Range Rover Evoque diesel and petrol 2011 review

Two body types are available, three door coupe and five door wagon in Pure, Prestige and Dynamics grades. Currently, all have 4x4 transmission but a front wheel drive will be available early next year.

STYLE

Evoque springs from the LRX concept and is infact extremely close in overall design and appearance. Evoque embodies Range Rover family heritage styling with its clamshell bonnet and "floating" roof. The interior is text book Range Rover but smaller. It has the same ambience as the larger model.

POWERTRAINS

Three engines are available. In Evoque TD4 and SD4 it's a four pot 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 110kw/400Nm and  140kW/400Nm respectively. They are the same as in Freelander and come with a six-speed manual or optional six speed paddle shift auto from Japanese manufacturer Aisin.

The petrol is a 2.0-litre turbo with direct injection shared with Ford Mondeo, Volvo and soon Falcon. It's good for 177kW/340Nm and features a clever sheet metal turbo housing and exhaust manifold that virtually eliminates lag.

Best fuel economy comes from the TD4 coupe and wagon at 5.7-litres/100km. Both diesel enjoy a luxury car tax-break because they use less than 7.0-litres/100km.

THE RIDE

Evoque engineers have been able to do wonders with a relatively simple strut and coil spring suspension that provides an excellent compromise between comfort and sporty dynamics. The rigid chassis forms a solid platform for the vehicle's underpinnings. Large wheels and tyres give impressive grip and an optional Dynamic Package includes magnetic adaptive suspension for a step up in handling (and looks).

TECHNOLOGY

Evoque boasts the latest in media connectivity including Bluetooth phone and audio streaming. A eight inch centre touch screen controls many functions including dual view which allows the driver and passenger to look at completely different content at the same time.

Terrain Response offers four modes of off road and on road driving at the turn of a dial. It has hill descent control and numerous other electronic traction and drive aids.

THE DRIVE

Impressive ... feels like a sports car in the coupe turbo petrol model. The diesels are similarly impressive but no quite as quick. They offer strident torque and excellent fuel economy and are virtually inaudible on the highway.

We sampled a few versions but none with the magnetic adaptive ride. Can't see why you'd bother really. The petrol has an exhaust note generator for aural appreciation. All versions feel good to drive and there's even adequate room in the rear seat of the three door coupe (the best looker).

Off road capability is surprisingly good for what is essentially a soft roader without low range. Doesn't really need it as we found out driving up a half metre deep creek then up the muddy bank.

PRACTICALITIES

Roomy inside for four, five at a pinch. Load space is adequate, expandable if you fold the rear seats. The temporary spare will let you limp home (maybe).

PRICES

The TD4 manual five door Pure starts at $53,395. The two wheel drive will be from $49,995 when it arrives.

VERDICT

Yes please. Difficult call between the diesel and petrol. Would go with an auto -in red with a contrast white roof please.