Evoque

[wings&wheels]

Anyone have thoughts on the new Range Rover Evoque?

We will be losing the need for our extra car and I am thinking of doing a 2 for 1; getting rid of my '08 Grand Cherokee Laredo and SAAB 93x for one car. I've had Jeeps for ~20 years (except for a few years w/ a SAAB 97...a rebadged Trailblazer); Wranglers & GC's. I like my current GC, but the fit and finish are a bit disappointing for its price(seats cracking at 23K miles and 2.5 years...), and its had a few electrical and mechanical issues as have all the others. I have a soft spot for Jeep, but it is time to move on..

We are looking at the mid sized Land Rover products, I just can't rationalize the larger one although I like them. I like the Evoque, but the LR2 is also nice and has a more open interior. I am very aware of LR's reputation, but they have gotten better...my question is how much? And to be honest, from talking to the folks who own them, they don't seem to be any worse then my Jeeps or the GM. LR is a small, niche player and can't be Honda....I accept that.

Plus they'll drive to your location and drop off a loaner for service during the 4 yr warranty....the dealer indicated that they have "..23 loaners"...maybe that says something....

Thanks.

 

[Rand]

have you shopped anything else?

IMO land rover you are paying for the bling name badge.. the product is certainly not engineered better than other options.

you do get some gadgets on some models.

as with anything new I wouldnt worry TOO much about reliability. Its not like you are picking up a 10 year old one.

 

[dparm]

Consumer Reports is consistently showing LR as having the most defects per 100 cars WHEN NEW.

 

[wings&wheels]

yes-X3, Acura, Lexus, the Volvo's, etc. I've always considered my DD a tool..commuter, child hauler, dump runs, etc., but this time I want something better.

I really like the looks of the Evoque, I've always liked LR's style.

correction to my first post...I have a GC Limited, not Laredo. I traded in my Laredo to get the better seats, entertainment, climate control, etc. in the Limited...some of the stuff I've had trouble with.

 

[wings&wheels]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Consumer Reports is consistently showing LR as having the most defects per 100 cars WHEN NEW.


I know, I know....but that is just because the Lotus population is too small to make the survey.


Actually, I thought it was Jaguar...

 

[scurvy]

Top Gear's Mr. James May was actually quite complimentary to the Evoque last season.

Personally I would never own one - SUVs are horrible design-by-committee, drawbacks of all but benefits of none vehicles - but to each their own.

 

[hattaresguy]

Great cars, but I wouldn't own one outside of warranty. Good to lease though.

I haven't driven the little one yet so I can't comment, but I did drive a super charged sport which I still absolutely love.

 

[01rangerxl]

A Classic ('70-'96) in good condition is more stylish, probably more reliable (less complexity), and you can off road it. Probably worse fuel economy, but who buys a Range for that anyway? Due to limited collector interest, even really clean ones probably would cost a lot less than an Evoque anyway.

The Evoque is a blingy hooptie with the engine mounted the wrong way. Would make a good mall crawler or donk though.

 

[bretfraz]

Got our first used Evoque recently. It is super fashiony and stylish, much more suited for cruising Sunset Blvd in Beverly Hills than any kind of off roading. Interior is great, awesome Meridian stereo system, has the pop-up gear selector knob like in a Jaguar. Has a 2.0L turbo 4 cyl that seemed OK on power. Not a muscle car or torquey off road motor, more of a street commuter engine.

I can see someone like a fashion designer, greenie architect, record company producer, or stylish hipster club owner buying one of these.

As for the LR2, they're OK until you compare them to an X3 or GLK350 or Infiniti FX35 or Volvo XC60, then you realize how uncompetitive it is.

 

[rslifkin]

The Evoque is hideous. All I can think is someone took a new Explorer and beat it over the head with a Mini Cooper.

 

[SteveSRT8]

That good old Range Rover mystique. It sells.

I also think the new Evoque is UGLY. Never going to be in my driveway. And it's a poseur as well.

 

[rshaw125]

Last week there was an article in the British press about how Landrover vehicles are still the worst made.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: wings&wheels
getting rid of my '08 Grand Cherokee Laredo and SAAB 93x for one car.

Didn't you just buy this Saab less than a year ago?

 

[wings&wheels]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: wings&wheels
getting rid of my '08 Grand Cherokee Laredo and SAAB 93x for one car.

Didn't you just buy this Saab less than a year ago?


yes...had to make a quick decision on a car last Fall. I had a 2010 SAAB 93x. Coming back from a family vacation up North, my Parents fell asleep w/ cruise on, left an elevated highway and put their 3 Series into a pine tree about 4' up.. Mom needed a car to drive to see Dad and to make it easy, I just gave them mine and bought the exact same car, a left over 2010 93x.

Thanks for the feedback. Didn't realize the Evoque was so polarizing.

It does drive very, very nicely, great steering feel but the ride was surprisingly isolating for a European car and the brakes were touchy, nicely progressive, but touchy on initial push. Visibility was much better than I expected given its' looks, but not great low and close to the right rear quarter, a concern w/ young children. This is an issue w/ many vehicle styles now.

The Evoque is what it is, a higher end suburban commuter with decent snow performance that will spend almost no time off road, despite having some capability. But, it passes three of my litmus tests: it can make it up a 400' possibly not plowed steep driveway in most weather, carries the wheelpants and fairings of a GA airplane without heroics (done 2-3 x per year, this where the SUV capacity comes in) and I like looking at it in and out....taste is subjective.

More to come..

 

[dparm]

For the money you'd spend on an Evoque I can think of numerous other 4WD vehicles that are more reliable.

 

[01rangerxl]

Your litmus test is pretty easy for a lot of SUVs to pass except for the subjective looks part of it.

If you really like the way the Evoque looks and can deal with it's potential reliability issues, go for it. Ultimately you are the one driving it, not us. It's your money, so buy what makes you happy.

My hate of the Evoque is just because I'm an SUV purist. I also hate the current Ford Explorer, those GM blob clones, and just about anything else with a transverse engine that tries to present itself as a tough 4WD. If I was in your position, I'd be going straight to the Toyota dealer to buy a 4Runner. I don't even like Toyotas in general, but I really appreciate that they have kept it true to its roots and if I was going to spend $40K on a new SUV, that would be it.

 

[wings&wheels]

"Your litmus test is pretty easy for a lot of SUVs to pass except for the subjective looks part of it."-you'd be surprised, our '08 SAAB 97 (a Trailblazer w/ SAAB badges) couldn't make our driveway a few times during the Winter even with a new set of all-season tires, one of the reasons I went back to the Jeep. Ironically, the SAAB 93x could...the Haldex AWD system is pretty slick.

I am with you on the SUV purity...why I have an SIII. The Evoque is a premium station wagon and that fits my need for this car, I am still undecided though. Reliability is a concern, I'm willing to trade some for a vehicle I like, but LR could still be beyond that threshold.

 

[01rangerxl]

Haha, pretty funny the 93x made it and the 97x didn't.

That's true that with an SIII, you probably don't need another off roader. If you just need an AWD luxury wagon, the Evoque would fit the bill.

 

[wings&wheels]

...just couldn't do the Evoque, bit too edgy for me.

Drove the Lexus and Acura, Volvo and looked at some others and kept coming back to Rovers. Settled on a Range Rover Sport HSE Lux...mainly for the interior which is the all around best I've seen in a long time. Few manufacturers seem to be able to use wood, wool and leather in a vehicle quite like the Brits.

These have OK reliability ratings, certainly better than previous models, but I am not expecting a Honda. Now let's hope the ghost of Lucas was exorcised.

Dealer pics of what is on order:

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[BrianWC]

Good choice! Wifey and I went to the Land Rover dealer Sunday to take a look at their inventory. The Honda dealer is making calls begging her to trade into another Odyssey at an admittedly good price but I want her to look at luxo SUVs before settling on another van.

Anywho, while she was ranting about how inadequate the LR4 and Range Rover are, I was taking a look at the Evoques. I really like them but my jaw dropped when I saw the sticker. No way! I cross shopped the LR2 when it first came out and can't believe the price inflation going on there.