Whats your view on the Evoque
Discussion
I am not yet a LR owner, but in about a month I will be a first time owner of LR in the from of an Evoque. Having had Fords as my run about for years (Dad is former employee, so good discount) and also running a TVR as a second car for over 10 years, my wife and I have decided to stump up the extra and order an Evoque.
I suppose its considered as the entry level LR product, but clearly still isnt cheap and I am probably the marketeers dream, because I imagine it is targeted to attract owners to the brand for the first time.
But I am wondering what died in the wool LR owners think of this model? Do you see it as the cheap mans LR (or probably RR)? Or perhaps is it actually benefiting the brand and is a good addition to the 'Range'?
Just interested on peoples views.
I suppose its considered as the entry level LR product, but clearly still isnt cheap and I am probably the marketeers dream, because I imagine it is targeted to attract owners to the brand for the first time.
But I am wondering what died in the wool LR owners think of this model? Do you see it as the cheap mans LR (or probably RR)? Or perhaps is it actually benefiting the brand and is a good addition to the 'Range'?
Just interested on peoples views.
Edited by LaserTam on Wednesday 29th May 08:23
As an owner, I'm suprised by your comment (twice) about it being an entry level LR or a cheap mans LR.
I don't think it has ever been considered either by anyone
That was always the job of the Freelander (IMO).
in terms of positioning, you can get a D4, Defender or Freelander cheaper than the Evoque (depending on model and spec). - but of course this really shouldn't be how you're looking at it, if it's perception you're after then why not plump for a second hand full-fat?
Yes they expected new customers (and they got them), but I think it sits nicely as a RR in it's own right - of course the purists will say it's devalued the brand, but surely the styling cues carried through from the Evoque to the new FFRR and RRS have only gone to strengthen the brand rather than devalue it.
Appearances aside, I'm over a year down the road with mine, and I'm still enjoying it as much as the day I bought it.... even parking it up this morning and looking back i thought what a fantastic looking car it is
I have had a couple of niggles, I've had the 'random battery drain' and the 'random alarm sounding', but both seem to have been fixed with software updates
I certainly wouldn't hesitate in recommending one to anyone - although I might be inclined to hold off the order until after Jan 2014, as thats when they're bringing in the new 9-speed box (although i don't have any issues with the 6-speed one).
I don't think it has ever been considered either by anyone

That was always the job of the Freelander (IMO).
in terms of positioning, you can get a D4, Defender or Freelander cheaper than the Evoque (depending on model and spec). - but of course this really shouldn't be how you're looking at it, if it's perception you're after then why not plump for a second hand full-fat?
Yes they expected new customers (and they got them), but I think it sits nicely as a RR in it's own right - of course the purists will say it's devalued the brand, but surely the styling cues carried through from the Evoque to the new FFRR and RRS have only gone to strengthen the brand rather than devalue it.
Appearances aside, I'm over a year down the road with mine, and I'm still enjoying it as much as the day I bought it.... even parking it up this morning and looking back i thought what a fantastic looking car it is

I have had a couple of niggles, I've had the 'random battery drain' and the 'random alarm sounding', but both seem to have been fixed with software updates

I certainly wouldn't hesitate in recommending one to anyone - although I might be inclined to hold off the order until after Jan 2014, as thats when they're bringing in the new 9-speed box (although i don't have any issues with the 6-speed one).
Perhaps then, its just my perception that its entry level, and hence why I posted really, to get views of others. I have not even looked at FL prices, never appealed to me, I was drawn in by the looks of the Evoque. Added to that, I have ordered the eD4 Manual 2WD because it won't go anywhere near anything slightly lumpy (other than the pot holes!) so waiting for 2014 wouldnt matter.
Doesn't bother me either way whether its entry level or not, that isn't important to me. The looks sold it.
Doesn't bother me either way whether its entry level or not, that isn't important to me. The looks sold it.
Both my folks drive Land Rovers, dad has a D4 and mum has a FL2.
When mum had a bump at the end of 2012 in her FL2 LRA sorted a hire car of an Evoque. Not 100% sure on the spec/model but it had a good few toys including sat nav, and was a 5 door with no sun roof. First impressions where that it didn't drive as well as the FL2, which was MY10 XS spec. The Evoque had 2-3000 mile on the clock IIRC. Also felt the waist line was awfully high, was like sitting in a bath tub!
Dads D4 had a dud battery around February this year and they gave us loan of another Evoque for a few days. Similar spec to the one before but has a sun roof, again not 100% sure of the spec/model but would have been slightly newer than the one we had previously and was on similar miles. This one drove a lot better, and was very similar, if not better than my mums new FL2, a MY13 Dynamic spec. Not sure if the first one we where given was raged or if they've changed some of the set up. It could also have been a different model.
Final impression of the Evoque is a very very nice car, and in the right spec is a fantastic place to be and drives and rides really well. Still not sure on the waistline, and the price tag! Good car for 'modern Britain' but the FL2 is very similar in driving characteristics and is definitely a more practical car without the higher price tag. Doesn't match up the high end spec of the Evoque though
When mum had a bump at the end of 2012 in her FL2 LRA sorted a hire car of an Evoque. Not 100% sure on the spec/model but it had a good few toys including sat nav, and was a 5 door with no sun roof. First impressions where that it didn't drive as well as the FL2, which was MY10 XS spec. The Evoque had 2-3000 mile on the clock IIRC. Also felt the waist line was awfully high, was like sitting in a bath tub!
Dads D4 had a dud battery around February this year and they gave us loan of another Evoque for a few days. Similar spec to the one before but has a sun roof, again not 100% sure of the spec/model but would have been slightly newer than the one we had previously and was on similar miles. This one drove a lot better, and was very similar, if not better than my mums new FL2, a MY13 Dynamic spec. Not sure if the first one we where given was raged or if they've changed some of the set up. It could also have been a different model.
Final impression of the Evoque is a very very nice car, and in the right spec is a fantastic place to be and drives and rides really well. Still not sure on the waistline, and the price tag! Good car for 'modern Britain' but the FL2 is very similar in driving characteristics and is definitely a more practical car without the higher price tag. Doesn't match up the high end spec of the Evoque though
The Evoque is a brilliant car and, as you rightly said, was designed to be a conquest vehicle and bring new customers to Land Rover. That it has done in droves, the Evoque was LR's best selling car in 2012. I'm sure you will love it. As well as the good looks and high specification the Evoque drives like a car and that appeals to many of the people that are buying it. I've no experience of the FWD as we don't sell it here but the AWD is perfectly happy away from the terra firma and is in every respect a proper Range Rover.
I disliked it for ages and figured it for some sort of tarted up freelander/handbag. But then my wife Sorted out a test drive and I have to admit its great. We traded a FF for one and I don't regret it for a minute. The Evoque drives really well, has plenty of poke and seems much more refined and better composed than the freelander 2 we had a few years back.
Still not sold on the styling but its a nice package overall and the interior is a decent place to be.
P.s. it's definitely not a proper Range Rover though. We've had it for about a month and it hasn't broken down. Then again It hasn't been cold, snowey or needed so still plenty of time to reassert the brand equity.
Still not sold on the styling but its a nice package overall and the interior is a decent place to be.
P.s. it's definitely not a proper Range Rover though. We've had it for about a month and it hasn't broken down. Then again It hasn't been cold, snowey or needed so still plenty of time to reassert the brand equity.
LaserTam said:
The looks sold it.
This is why you are buying it. And buying a 2WD version adds validity to your reason for buying this particular LR. My wife has an Evoque (4WD) Dynamic SD4 auto. Looks lovely. Auto suits a RR IMHO. Drives well but has a bit too sensitive steering for me. I enjoy my third FF, a 4.4 TDV8 which I prefer for the more relaxed driving style.
Neither of which will be embarrassed in the occasional snow we have in the UK

Enjoy it for your reasons for buying it. Others will have their own opinion of your purchase.
P.S. like your Tamora, had a couple of Cerbera's myself
It's not an entry level Land Rover...it is an entry level Range Rover...but then again it is based on a Freelander and hence may not be considered a 'proper' Range Rover by some, much the same way as an Aston Martin Cygnet might not be deemed a 'proper' Aston, rather a Toyota Yaris with a different badge on and a nicer interior. However, it will only be jealous pricks that will make this judgement....like those who said to me 'why didn't you get a sport.' when I got a Disco, or why did you get it in yellow when I got an Evora, or why didn't you get leather when I got my BMW. I then realised they are ghetto scum that still live with their mum and their jealous opinions don't count!
If you like the car, who cares. However, having looked at the entire LR & RR range of vehicles, for me the Evoque is too small, esp in coupe guise, but can see as an ownership proposition with very low depreciation, decent fuel eonony and low road tax compared to most LRs, it makes a lot of sense. It would have to be 4x4 though...buying a 2WD to me smacks of wanting an Evoque to get the status and on trend image without actually being able to afford a 'real' one. 2WD is a sad departure for RR or LR for me...might as well have a Ford Kuga or Nissan Juke. It is fir these reasons my next car will be a RRS that is a few years old over a new Evoque. Maybe I am image conscious after all!
If you like the car, who cares. However, having looked at the entire LR & RR range of vehicles, for me the Evoque is too small, esp in coupe guise, but can see as an ownership proposition with very low depreciation, decent fuel eonony and low road tax compared to most LRs, it makes a lot of sense. It would have to be 4x4 though...buying a 2WD to me smacks of wanting an Evoque to get the status and on trend image without actually being able to afford a 'real' one. 2WD is a sad departure for RR or LR for me...might as well have a Ford Kuga or Nissan Juke. It is fir these reasons my next car will be a RRS that is a few years old over a new Evoque. Maybe I am image conscious after all!
Lotusevoraboy said:
...based on a Freelander and hence may not be considered a 'proper' Range Rover by some, much the same way as an Aston Martin Cygnet might not be deemed a 'proper' Aston, rather a Toyota Yaris with a different badge on and a nicer interior.
I'm not sure you're helping 
Edited by Bill on Thursday 30th May 08:11
Lotusevoraboy said:
...buying a 2WD to me smacks of wanting an Evoque to get the status and on trend image without actually being able to afford a 'real' one.
Not for me it doesn't. Off road doesn't interest me, so why spend more money to buy it and again more to run it when I will benefit from it during the 3 days of snow a year. Yes could have bought a Kuga and my head said buy one, because of the discount I could get, but it doesn't grab me the way the Evoque does.LaserTam said:
Lotusevoraboy said:
...buying a 2WD to me smacks of wanting an Evoque to get the status and on trend image without actually being able to afford a 'real' one.
Not for me it doesn't. Off road doesn't interest me, so why spend more money to buy it and again more to run it when I will benefit from it during the 3 days of snow a year. Yes could have bought a Kuga and my head said buy one, because of the discount I could get, but it doesn't grab me the way the Evoque does.Lotusevoraboy said:
LaserTam said:
Lotusevoraboy said:
...buying a 2WD to me smacks of wanting an Evoque to get the status and on trend image without actually being able to afford a 'real' one.
Not for me it doesn't. Off road doesn't interest me, so why spend more money to buy it and again more to run it when I will benefit from it during the 3 days of snow a year. Yes could have bought a Kuga and my head said buy one, because of the discount I could get, but it doesn't grab me the way the Evoque does.
)Your comments on 4WD v 2WD actually tell me more about what existing owners think about the model though. Each to their own I suppose, but based on where I live, no desire to go off-road nor tow anything, just didn't make sense to go that route.
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It's positioned as a mini RR (Although the snob in me says Sport rather than FF 