Thursday 15th November 2012

PH Fleet: Range Rover Evoque

The style versus content debate further inflamed with a back to back Freelander comparison...

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So Range Rover needed the Evoque back. And in its place loaned us a Freelander to keep us rolling. And if perhaps more Mumsnet than PH it at least offers an interesting comparison. Because if the Evoque is, as we’ve said on more than one occasion, style over content the Freelander on which it is based is surely the opposite.

Splish-splash ... crunch ... oops!

Does it pass the all-important PistonHeads ‘fit for purpose’ credibility test though? Erm... If you NEED a truly unpretentious family car with 4x4 ability then it seems PHers would be happier with something like an old-shape Subaru Forester or a Dacia Duster, in back to basics black-bumpered spec preferably. It may not wear its heart on its sleeve like the Evoque but the Freelander is still an expensive car and, admittedly here in pre-MY13 facelift form, feels like an old one too. Which goes to show quite how big a leap the Evoque has made.

Quality, style and the sheer wealth of modern toys loaded onto the Evoque make it feel like a car from a different age though – it’s an iPhone to your old Nokia. And likewise a slightly fussy and irritating one at times, it has to be said. Some of the kit is handy, some of it gimmicky and some of it downright annoying. Electric handbrakes are a pet hate, the one on the Evoque inconsistent in its auto release behaviour, consistent in its ability to turn the air blue as a result.

Need better visibility? Get one of these

No such fuss on the Freelander – a big handle you yank when required. Joy! Similarly a boot where you can pack stuff up to the sill and squash into place with a hearty slam – no 30-second wait as it grinds down, squeals an alarm and then inexorably starts to open again of its own accord. I feel empowered!

Some of the stuff on the Evoque – the endless sensors, cameras and the fun but spooky automated parking – are handy but only really necessary because of the inherently appalling visibility. I was lucky enough to have a punt in the IED-proof Ocelot armoured vehicle a while back and you could see more out of that.

Pushy sense of self-importance and invulnerability, appalling visibility … yeah, you can see where that stereotype is going can’t you. Suffice to say, having experienced both sides of the equation Evoques are up there with bendy buses, white vans and Addison Lee taxis on my hazard awareness list for urban cycling – if ever a car had SMIDSY written all over it the Evoque is it.

Bit of light off-roading ticked that box

With the departure date looming I thought I’d better at least have a punt off-road in the Evoque and, though it gets stuck in and is pretty game at hauling itself out of the clag, it’s definitely style over content in this environment and hampered by a lack of ground clearance and lots of vulnerable low hanging plastic trim. Er, sorry about that Range Rover…  Still, I couldn’t send it back clean could I.

This being the concluding chapter in our time with the Evoque what’s to say? Well, it’s clearly a car that continues to divide PH opinion but, in my book, an ability to provoke debate is preferable to indifference. I have enjoyed my time with it and the feelgood stuff really does … make you feel good. It’s a car that can enliven even a dull commute round the M25 by sheer force of character and bravado, something a more functional car like its Freelander brother just can’t do. It has its irritations and, frankly, though the turbocharged petrol is suitably feisty and satisfying to drive you’d have to be militantly anti-derv and prepared to commit residuals hari kari to not take the sensible route and go for a diesel.

Personally I’ve kind of come full circle. It’s (still) not my kind of car but I’m glad it exists and the world is a more interesting place for it. There are so many boring cars about I’ll defend the Evoque to the hilt, a bit of national pride about its contribution to GB PLC a bit of icing on the cake.

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FACT SHEET
Car: 2012 Range Rover Evoque Si4 Coupe
Run by: Dan (and Garlick, on occasion!)
On fleet since: July 2012
Mileage: 4,725
List price new: £46,475 (Basic list of £40,995 plus £550 for Mauritius Blue metallic paint, £200 for leather, £305 for xenon lights and £4,425 for Lux Pack comprising powered tailgate, panoramic roof, Meridian audio, TV, surround camera system, blind spot monitor, keyless entry and Park Assist)
Last month at a glance: Attempted to go off-roading, didn’t go so well

Previous reports:
Love it or loathe it the Evoque is an interesting car
The element of surprise has passed, what about the delight?

 

[billzeebub]

give me a Freelander over an Evoque any day, or preferably a Discovery.

[Hellbound]

Will you guys be reviewing the MY2013 Freelander?

I've said something wrong haven't I? It's not PH enough is it?

[Krikkit]

Does the Evoque not have a handle on the boot for closing it then?

[Fire99]

Not exactly much of a 'comparison' with the Freelander.. A brief mention of the Freelander's age and it's handbrake and then back to general fluff about the evoque.

A genuine back to back comparison would be an interesting read.

[Digga]

billzeebub said:

give me a Freelander over an Evoque any day, or preferably a Discovery.

As an owner of two Disco 3's I'd disagree slightly. Depends what you want to do with the car, but there are bits where the Evoque is far better than the Disco. And the Disco is being pushed relentlessly upmarket so it's not the utilitarian do-it-all it once was IMHO.

The current Freelander is not a bad car, but the loan cars I;ve driven are crushingly dull - it's easily the least 'adventurous' and fun feeling LR product by a mile.

PH said:

Quality, style and the sheer wealth of modern toys loaded onto the Evoque make it feel like a car from a different age <to the Freelander> though – it’s an iPhone to your old Nokia.

However, all of the above point to the fact that, when the Freelander 3 arrives - given it's being designed and built in the same place as the Evoque (which I really like) - it could be excellent.

[A Scotsman]

Stupid looking car. Disco 4 or Range Rover much more impressive. I'm sure they designed the Evok for the Chelsea set.

[LewisR]

That looks very much the the Ocelot LPPV pictured there too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocelot_%28vehicle%29

[Hellbound]

Digga said:

However, all of the above point to the fact that, when the Freelander 3 arrives - given it's being designed and built in the same place as the Evoque (which I really like) - it could be excellent.

But when will the Freelander 3 arrive? If they've gone to the bother of refreshing the Freelander 2, I'd say another 2 years minimum, maybe 3 before we see the new model.

[Oddball RS]

A Scotsman said:

Stupid looking car. Disco 4 or Range Rover much more impressive. I'm sure they designed the Evok for the Chelsea set.

And the new RR was designed for who then????

[Davey S2]

A Scotsman said:

Range Rover much more impressive.

And just a smidge more expensive as well.

[Fatchops]

I think the biggest mistake Land Rover made was using Beckham's wife and all she represents to promote the thing, that's the kiss of death to most people who don't originate from Essex. They should have used Ray Mears to advertise it then maybe more blokes wouldn't think it was driven by such a sterotypical demographic. The car may be competent but the image I fear will be forever WAG.

Edited by Fatchops on Thursday 15th November 12:28

[anonymous-user]

We've had a FL2 as our family car for the last 4 years and 50k miles. I looked at a few options this year and came full circle back to the FL2 and in the end, decided to keep the one I've got rather than sink £10K into a nearly new SD4. I didn't even look at the Evoque; I can't see me jamming two cubic metre bags of garden waste in the back, the kids' bikes or all our sandy wetsuits and body boards.

I would like a Discovery 4, but they're just too expensive and blingy now and don't really seem to be worth it over a FL2. To me at least. The price of nearly new ones at £30K+ is stupid too, when you look at how 'little' a new SV6 8-speed one costs.

The only downside is patchy reliability. Our FL2 had the complete cooling system replaced when the oil cooler failed. This was just outside of the warranty, but Jaguar-Land Rover were excellent and picked up almost all of the bill. Depreciation has been very good though, helped somewhat by LR hiking the prices since we bought.

The comments about the FL2 being dull are interesting. I find the FL2 an engaging drive; the steering response and feel is great and the ride firm without being uncomfortable. I test drove the new CRV the other day and it was st by comparison - overly firm ride and no steering feel being electric.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 15th November 12:28

[Corpulent Tosser]

I have a loaner Evoque to replace my Freelander while it gets a CV joint replaced (27K miles !!)

I didn't think I would like it, as having sat in one I thought it felt cramped in comparison to the Freelander. However, having put the huge sunroof cover back it felt much more spacious, and I have to say I am enjoying driving it. It is though a high end model and I doubt I would consider the toys, bells and whistles worth the extra cost over a Freelander.

So, I don't think the next car will be a Evoque, this current Frelander has needed warranty work - not just the CV joint - at lowish miles, and our last one trashed the gearbox at 40k, so probably not another Landrover product next.

What though ?

[Digga]

Hellbound said:

Digga said:

However, all of the above point to the fact that, when the Freelander 3 arrives - given it's being designed and built in the same place as the Evoque (which I really like) - it could be excellent.

But when will the Freelander 3 arrive? If they've gone to the bother of refreshing the Freelander 2, I'd say another 2 years minimum, maybe 3 before we see the new model.

No idea. Sometimes, refreshing is a sign the new is not too far off..

but when the Fr 4 comes, I'm hoping it might fit the "functional but more comfortable than a Defender" role that the Disco is now, IMHO, simply too big and expensive to fill

[LayZ]

Fatchops said:

I think the biggest mistake Land Rover made was using Beckham's wife and all she represents to promote the thing

I don't think they've made any mistakes, since they can't build enough, it is obviously a high margin product and to cap all that, made in the UK.

[Stuart]

Fatchops said:

I think the biggest mistake Land Rover made was using Beckham's wife and all she represents to promote the thing

Inclined to agree. I was certainly less predisposed to like it as a result. In fact it's a wonderful thing to drive and a nice place to ride. Ultimately ruled out for me because I need a bigger boot at this stage in my life (two small kids and accompanying detritus) but I do like the car for what it is.

[anonymous-user]

Corpulent Tosser said:

What though ?

Have been round this loop myself this year. Tempted by the long warranties of Kia and Hyundai but rejected them on the way they drive. Tried the new CRV this week but the ride was terrible and the seats looked like they would last 10 minutes.

Just console yourself by the thought that a FL2 goes wrong less and costs less to fix than a Disco or Defender :-)

[henrycrun]

aka the 'Strange Rover' !

[Corpulent Tosser]

milesr3 said:

Have been round this loop myself this year. Tempted by the long warranties of Kia and Hyundai but rejected them on the way they drive. Tried the new CRV this week but the ride was terrible and the seats looked like they would last 10 minutes.

Just console yourself by the thought that a FL2 goes wrong less and costs less to fix than a Disco or Defender :-)

Another plus is Landrover assist, Mrs Tosser phone me to say she had a problem with the Freelander, fortunately not far from my office, I went out, realised it was the CV joint and called assist. A nice chap arrived within 40 mins, agreed with me it was a CV joint and arranged a recovery vehicle and replacement car (Evoque)everything done with no problems (apart from the wife not being able to find her driving licence) which meant she had to take my car and I got the Evoque.

Disappointing it broke down, but reasuring that it was taken care of quickly and efficiently.


Still don't know what next though, I feel a "what car" thread coming on

[garypotter]

The Evoque certainly appeals to the public but for me far too much money for it, if I was in the market i would stretch a bit further and go for a Range Rover Sport.

I see some of the Evoques going for £55k+ loaded. boy oh boy JLR must be banking the cash by the wheel barrow load...hmm how about JLR designing a new wheel barrow for the county set to have on the drive next to the horse box..

Is it too late to apply for a JLR wheel barrow patent.