Range Rover Evoque Coupé 2.2 SD4 4×4 with 190 CV, road test (Exterior design, interior and finishes)

We continue with our unusual 4×4, that is, the Range Rover Evoque with a 190 CV diesel engine, all-wheel drive and automatic gearbox. Any details about the engine, performance or handling, we covered in the first part of the test.

We should also mention that off the road it is a car that does its job and sheds any SUV inferiority complex, proving more effective than most of the kerb-climbers in its segment. Having said that, now we come to the exterior design of the car, as well as a look at the interior and comments on details such as practicality, quality of materials or boot space. If you want to know everything about the Evoque’s design, fasten your seatbelt, because we’re off!

Exterior design

With few changes, the concept we first saw as the LRX concept LRX became, two years ago at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Range Rover Evoque. A compact crossover measuring 4.35 metres long (similar to a Qashqai, for example) and available with coupé or five-door bodywork. A distinguishing feature, since it is unusual to see an SUV of this size with coupé bodywork (incidentally, more expensive than the five-door).

The front end is futuristic, aggressive and generally retains the essence of the brand Land Rover but updated, with a bold look. Optionally we can have LED-type fog lamps, with very good lighting, and the xenon lights also incorporate LED daytime running lights (with a semicircular design like brackets).

Depending on the trim level we choose, Pure, Dynamic or Prestige, fog lamps come as standard (they are only optional on the Pure trim) along with some distinctive exterior details on the front and rear bumpers.

The panoramic roof let in a lot of light to the interior; moreover, the rear windows are quite small and the roof made up for the lack of light, making it an interesting extra. And if on top of the glass roof we also want it in another colour, we’ll have to shell out close to 700 euros.

The 19-inch alloy wheels were part of the equipment on the Dynamic trim, but they are certainly another extra worth thinking twice about. With 18-inch wheels are more than enough for the Evoque, and if we increase the size, consumption also goes up. That said, even the 4×2 versions come with M+S tyres as standard, a practical touch.

At the rear we have the twin exhaust outlets, again an element of the Dynamic trim, and a design marked by futuristic lines; the rear lights use LED technology and our test unit had the electric tailgate (a 100% optional extra costing more than 600 euros).

I found the lighting underneath the wing mirrors a real nice touch: an LED projects onto the ground in a circular shape, with an Evoque Conceptual drawn on it. These small things are what someone paying for a premium vehicle likes to have.

Interior design, practicality and finishes

Now that we know the Evoque from the outside, let’s see what it’s like inside: finishes, interior design, driving position, all those elements we normally analyse in a car.

The design follows the style of the exterior; it is not as radically sporty or futuristic, but it combines simple lines with a certain avant-garde air. The dashboard only houses the sound system or, in the case of our unit, the 8-inch touchscreen that integrates the sound system and navigation. But the rest of the controls are in the centre console, where we find audio and climate controls and finally the Terrain Response and the gearbox selector (which rises and hides automatically when the car is switched on and off).

The materials are of good quality, we barely find hard plastics (only in the centre console), and they are of a high standard. Moreover, a large part of the dashboard is covered in soft, pleasant-to-the-touch materials, even on the base version of the Evoque. The same goes for the doors, which have quality materials and where it is hard to find low-grade plastics.

The driving position is perfect for SUV lovers: it is high-set and offers good visibility, especially thanks to the huge side mirrors, while rear visibility is more compromised by the design. There is enough headroom, though there isn’t much spare room, especially if you are tall.

Our test unit was an Evoque Coupe, so the practicality of the rear seats is not its strongest point. Access could be improved, especially if you choose the electric seats, which are rather slow to move forward to make room for getting in. Once inside, the comfortable rear seats have enough space for your feet and even your head. As a curious detail, the rear air vents are sold as an extra.

The interior lighting can be set to several colours, and the LEDs spread around the car in the doors and centre console change colour. That said, this ambient lighting is optional.

In short: an elevated driving position, comfortable seats and two spacious rear seats, but if you are looking for practicality, four doors are better. In addition to an interior quality that leaves many of its rivals at a disadvantage, with a finish in line with the price and the segment.

Storage and boot

In terms of storage, it is not an MPV, but it has the usual storage spaces in the centre console for leaving your things or the car key, and large door pockets, as well as a main glovebox of decent size.

The boot has a capacity of 550 litres, a figure similar to that of a mid-size saloon, so it is not a bad figure for the car.

In the final part of the test we say goodbye by talking about equipment, safety and our overall assessment of the car, as well as its prices.

Photos | David Taboada, Test Team, Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadLand Rover Range Rover Evoque8 versions · from 59,500 €