Used Range Rover Evoque 2019-present review

The idea of taking a luxury SUV and shrinking it isn't new, but it doesn't always work. The Range Rover Evoque has been a runaway success, though. It preserves all the imperious qualities of the larger Range Rover, yet squeezes them within a body that's a smaller, digestible family SUV size.

Engines: There are various engine options to choose from, including a plug-in hybrid that provides 34 miles of electric-only driving – this version is known as the P300e. There are three power grades for both 2.0-litre (solely) petrol and diesel options. The petrol range consists of a 197bhp P200, 247bhp P250 and 296bhp P300, while diesel-lovers could pick between a 148bhp D150, 178bhp D180 and 237bhp D240. Merely a year after launch, the diesel range was revised to either a 163bhp D165 or 197bhp D200. Aside from some front-wheel drive versions of the D150 and D165, all have four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Trims & equipment: Every Evoque gets dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, heated front seats and a 10.0in touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A rear-view camera is also standard, but this was changed to a surround-view camera from late 2020 onwards.

Looking for an older car? Read our 2011-2019 Range Rover Evoque used buying guide

Step up to S for larger 18in alloys, leather seats with 12-way electric adjustment for the front perches, plus an upgraded 'Pro' version of the infotainment system. SE adds 20in wheels, an electric tailgate, a digital instrument cluster and blind-spot monitoring. Meanwhile, HSE has lumbar adjustment, a Meridian sound system, adaptive cruise and rear cross traffic alert.

R-Dynamic gives the Evoque a more sporting look and is available on S, SE and HSE trims. Top-tier Autobiography has 21in wheels, adaptive LED headlights and a panoramic glass roof along with cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Ride & handling: You'll enjoy high levels of refinement in an Evoque because road and engine din are well quelled, with only some wisps of wind to be heard. Indeed, it's probably best that you sit back and relax because no Range Rover Evoque feels particularly rapid and those equipped with the automatic are also reluctant to change down a gear when you want a burst of acceleration.

Nevertheless, ride quality is especially good on cars with 17 or 18in wheels, but larger wheels tend to exacerbate rougher road surfaces at lower speeds. The steering feels light, although it's a little too keen to self-centre. And traction in slippery conditions is excellent due to most versions getting four-wheel drive and grip levels are strong.

If you're after a commanding driving position, the Evoque is the SUV for you. Visibility is good aside from some fairly chunky roof pillars and a shallow rear window, but then there are parking sensors and cameras to mitigate some of those issues. Material quality is high, plus there's even the option of finding an Evoque with vegan-friendly Eucalyptus textile pack that doesn't incorporate any animal products.

Interior & practicality: The infotainment is a noticeable step-up from the previous generation car. It responds promptly to inputs and has a simple menu layout that makes it more intuitive than the one in the Volvo XC40, although it's still not quite as easy to use on the move as the one in the BMW X1 due to a lack of a physical rotary controller or shortcut buttons.

Space is good for tall people up front – even with the panoramic roof. You won't find as much knee room in the back of an Evoque as you get in an XC40 or X1, but it's still fine by class standards and sitting three abreast isn't so much of a squeeze as it might be in some rivals.

A buggy or a set of golf clubs can be stowed in the boot without issue, but overall capacity below the cover is noticeably down on other SUVs in this class. Still, a standard 40/20/40 split folding rear seat improves flexibility, and those seats fold flat too. Good news for the odd Ikea trip.

If you're interested in finding a used Range Rover Evoque, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

You'll need around £20,000 to get behind the wheel of an entry-level Range Rover Evoque D150 from 2019/2020. The P200 model goes for around £5000 more, while the HSE trim (regardless of its engine) starts at around £7000 more.

You're looking at around £30,000 if you fancy a 2022 car – or a P300e – meanwhile 2023 and 2024 models start at around £35,000.

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MPG

Some rivals do have better fuel economy, but then again, most of those only have front-wheel drive. The Evoque has to lug around a heavier four-wheel drive on most versions, which goes some way to explaining the deficit.

Apart from the P300e plug-in hybrid with its 141mpg, diesel models are the most economical. There's not much difference between D150, D180 and D240 with 42.0mpg, 41.5mpg and 40.9mpg, respectively. This was improved in the late 2020 updates to 44.2mpg for the D165, and 43.8mpg for the D200.

Petrol models aren't anywhere near as efficient as the diesels, even with mild-hybrid tech. There's a negligible difference between P200 and P250 at 31.7mpg and 31.6mpg, respectively. The P300 gets 31.3mpg.

Road tax (VED)

Be aware that any Evoque that had a list price of over £40,000 when new will be charged both the flat rate fee in road tax, and the supplementary luxury charge between years two and six. The current fee is £190 per year. The luxury tax is £410 per year.

Servicing

Maintaining an Evoque at the main dealer will be expensive – even compared with its premium SUV rivals. There isn't discounted servicing once the manufacturer's warranty has expired either, so it might be worth looking for a trusted independent Land Rover specialist who can complete the same work for a fraction of the cost.

Reliability

The Range Rover Evoque's reliability is brought into question by owner feedback in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, with several issues reported.

Key concerns include the failure of critical components such as timing chains and the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, which have led to breakdowns.

Mixed opinions on Land Rover's dealer network were noted, with a number of owners expressing dissatisfaction due to poor dealer response times and high repair costs. Our dedicated page has lots more information on the used Evoque’s reliability and common issues.

Engine

The plug-in hybrid has only just arrived and it'll be a while before these reach used car forecourts, so we'd advise you to look for either a D150 or D180 diesel. The latter will probably be best if you plan to complete lots of motorway trips because it has a bit more mid-range punch to get it up to speed. You should only go for the petrols if you live in a city because the thirst of these models makes them very expensive to run if you cover big mileages.

The automatic gearbox suits the effortless nature of the Range Rover Evoque far better than the manual. They also make up the majority of used examples.

Specification

Standard equipment is generous, but we'd search for an S model because it gets the 'Pro' version of the Pivi infotainment system along with a few welcome additional luxuries. Any trim level after this gets oversized 20in alloy wheels that don't do the ride any favours.

Our favourite Range Rover Evoque: D150 or D180 S auto

The Audi Q3 is refined, packed with technology and comes with a classy interior. It's not bad to drive, either, but the ride can be a little unsettled.

The BMW X1 is spacious, practical and has a high quality interior. It also offers fine handling and a great infotainment system. Countering all that, there’s too much road noise and the ride can be firm, too.

The Porsche Macan is very good to drive, with precise steering, an excellent automatic transmission and a strong engine. It’s not very big in the back, though, so those carrying lanky passengers will need to look elsewhere. It’s also expensive to buy, even used, and petrol models are especially costly to run.

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If you're interested in finding a used Evoque, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.