Range Rover Evoque Video Reviews

Range Rover's Evoque is the SUV that changed people's perceptions of what a vehicle of this size could be, by being stunningly attractive. Looks and practicality turned out to be a killer combination and something all car makers have been trying to match ever since. The new Evoque is still the prettiest SUV around, but is it any good? We put it to the family test to find out.

The new Evoque has some big shoes to fill, and has moved up a size in order to do it. Has it lost anything along the way? We drive it at its long-awaited launch to find out.

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the Range Rover Evoque Convertible with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its international launch in France.

Porsche's baby SUV is built on the same platform as the Audi Q5, however it's lower, wider and sportier.

The new Mercedes S-Class has some very big shoes to fill because the old one was just so good. It's also got to beat it's traditional rivals like the Audi A8 and Range Rover.

There are plenty of choices in the compact premium SUV segment from a range of manufacturers including BMW X1, Volkswagen Tiguan, Volvo XC60, Mini Countryman and Audi's Q3. Mercedes-Benz is noticeably absent but that will change.All of them face a serious challenge in the guise of Range Rover's stunning Evoque — possibly the most desirable SUV on the market right now regardless of size or price.Evoque 4x4 five-door pricing starts at $53,395 for the TD4 Pure. Our diesel SD4 (high output engine) mid-spec Dynamic auto with quite a few options rolled over $94,000, that's right, add on-roads and you are talking $100K.It's a big price for a smallish vehicle especially when you consider it gets you into an Audi Q7 3.0TDi, BMW X5 3.0d, two Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo diesels or a Benz ML350CDi.But when a car looks like this, you instinctively reach for your wallet. Value in a distilled form...Gets the expected Range Rover treatment though the coarsely textured dash finish is not pretty. The interior itself is stylish and functional and the test vehicle's optional 820 watt audio system was monumental.There's a large touch screen, Bluetooth and audio streaming. It's a sea of leather inside with comfortable sculpted seats though comment from rear seat passengers suggested they were on the firm side.It's roomy too despite the sloping rear roofline. We were taken aback by the (optional) twin screen panel that shows satnav to the driver on one angle and TV to the passenger on the other side — at the same time.The wheel's chunky and has multiple controls including paddle shift for the auto transmission. They are cheap plastic paddles that are contrary to the Evoque's overall look and feel.The SD-4 uses a 2.2-litre Peugeot-built turbodiesel four cylinder with 140kW/420Nm output.The engine, pretty much the same as in LandRover Freelander, has twin balance shafts and a variable nozzle turbo to deliver strong performance over a wide operating range.It gets out of the blocks fairly smartly, has strong mid-range and will even rev to about 4500rpm without grumbling.It's aided by a slick shifting six-speed auto transmission — not a DSG in this case. Fuel economy is a claimed 6.5-litres/100km - we got close.The test car's drive select offered `sport' mode which not only makes the instruments glow red but alters how the chassis dynamics and engine respond.But it's fairly firm for everyday use. Point it at come curves and the Evoque feels like a sporty coupe, flick it to normal and it's comfortable and controlled.There's also a version of  dial-up Terrain Response for various types of off road driving. The full time 4WD system aids grip on all surfaces with the large 19-inch tyres further improving matters.It has strong brakes and the chassis feels strong. Evoque's a good thing to drive in a variety of environments and surprisingly competent off road.It gets a five star Euro NCAP crash rating but narrowly misses out on the Aussie five star rating because of a pedestrian safety.All the same, Evoque gets the full set of airbags, stability control plus plenty more like hill descent control, hill start assist, auto adjust xenon headlights, auto wipers, headlights and rear view mirror tint.What can you say — a stand out glamour from every angle. People run up to you in the street to talk about the Evoque. It has more cut through than a Ferrari — well almost.And apart from the rough textured dash, the interior is the same — incredible wow factor. The Poms still have it in styling terms.Too much money and extensive gouging on options but the queue begins over here...

It's tempting to dismiss the Range Rover Evoque as a piece of automotive jewellery for yummie mummies and bored Mini tragics looking for a new car trinket for the garage. After all, the Evoque is the first city-focussed Land Rover and puts design and fashion first - with everything else a long way back in second. It's also wearing a premium pricetag in Australia from $49,995 that puts it up above the utilitarian Freelander II that reflects the difference in Land Rover and Range Rover badges. But ...Halfway up a slimy, rain-sodden farmers track in northern Wales the temptation passed. The Evoque conquered the challenge as I expect of any true Land Rover and even made some of the worst drivers I have seen - a group of South Americans who needed all the help they could get - looks good on a tough road.So the Evoque is not just a front-wheel drive city showoff. It's also a four-wheel drive that can do the job, despite high-fashion trimmings and a diesel engine that's going to be the most popular choice for Australia. There is a lot to the Evoque, from a choice of three and five-door bodies to a parts roster that has almost nothing in common with the Freelander.The first day of driving in Wales proves it goes well, in conditions from deep muddy ruts to motorways, and is a nice place to travel.Visibility is pretty awful, the petrol engine lacks bottom-end punch, and the Dynamic model is a bit too aggressive in the suspension for my taste.Later today I'm driving the front-wheel drive Evoque around Liverpool - probably with Beatles classics in the background - and will be able to deliver a better verdict. But the first impression is good and the Evoque is shaping as a potential star for Land Rover, a hit with all sorts of Australian shoppers, and even a game-changer to rival the original BMW X5.