2024 Range Rover Evoque Review and Test Drive
As the entry-level Range Rover, this SUV brings luxury and style to the premium compact crossover market.
Perry Stern
When I picked up my 2024 Range Rover Evoque test vehicle in a crowded airport parking lot, it was easy to find. Sitting in a sea of SUVs that, from a distance, have the same basic look, the Evoque stood out with its dramatic design, powerful stance, and optional Corinthian Bronze paint with contrasting gloss-black 20-inch wheels.
Although the 2024 Evoque is the lowest-priced model in the Range Rover lineup, it still looks like a member of the club. Range Rovers are well known for their blend of luxury and off-road capability, and the Evoque has those traits, although to a lesser extent than its more expensive siblings.
When introduced in 2011, the Evoque was unlike anything else from Range Rover with its compact size, sleek and tapered lines, and available two-door variant. A redesign arrived in 2020, and now the Evoque gets a refresh for the 2024 model year with revised styling, an updated interior, and new technology.
While this entry-level Range Rover was the brand's top seller in its first years on the market, sales peaked in 2015 and have dropped considerably in the last few years. Surprisingly, the Evoque is now the slowest-selling model in the Range Rover lineup, even with this year's updates. And it faces tough competition in the compact luxury SUV segment, where nearly every brand, from Acura to Volvo, offers an alternative.
Perry Stern
2024 Evoque Pricing Might Put a Range Rover Within Reach
The 2024 Range Rover Evoque is available in two trim levels: S and Dynamic SE. Base prices range from the low $50,000s to the mid $50,000s, including the destination charge to ship the SUV from the Halewood, England, factory to your local dealership.
For this Evoque review, I test-drove a 2024 Range Rover Evoque Dynamic SE in southeastern Michigan near Detroit. Highlights from the optional equipment list included the Dynamic Handling package, Cold Climate package, Technology package, and an upgraded Meridian surround sound system. The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the test vehicle came to $62,815, including the $1,175 destination charge.
Range Rover provided the vehicle for this Evoque review.
Perry Stern
Clean Design Inside and Out
When it first came out, the Range Rover Evoque had a distinctive look, and it remains that way today, still resembling the original model. This year, the 2024 Evoque gets an updated grille, new headlights, and fresh exterior colors, including the attractive Corinthian Bronze on my test vehicle.
Inside, the Evoque features a simple, clean design almost entirely devoid of physical buttons or switches. Instead, you'll use the elegant 11.4-inch curved touchscreen display to access most vehicle features. Slim air vents give the cabin a more expansive look, and the only item on the dashboard, aside from the display, is the engine start button.
Continuing with the minimalism theme, the gear selector lives in the middle of the center console, flanked only by a set of cupholders and a small storage bin underneath the display screen. While I like the cabin's clean look, I'd prefer more buttons and knobs for the stereo and climate functions. Accessing those features via the touchscreen is cumbersome and quickly becomes frustrating.
Materials throughout the cabin have a high-quality feel, with soft-touch surfaces on the doors, dashboard, and center armrest. The power-adjustable steering wheel features multiple haptic switches, including the only physical volume control for the stereo.
Perry Stern
Range Rover Levels of Luxury
Though the entry-level Range Rover, the Evoque looks and feels like a high-end vehicle. Trimmed in soft leather, the front seats are stylish and have multiple power adjustments. They feel snug, offering good support without being too tight. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are standard, but ventilated seats are unavailable.
The Evoque's rear seat is certainly usable, but its 33.8 inches of legroom is less than what you'll find in competitors such as the BMW X4 or Volvo XC60, and it feels a bit tight. The rear door openings are also on the small side. That said, the outboard seats are comfortable and are heated when you get the optional Cold Climate package.
Perry Stern
Reasonable Utility for a Compact Luxury Crossover
The Evoque has a clean, stylish cabin. Unfortunately, that design doesn't bring much practical storage space. For example, though the electronic gear selector is small, Range Rover locates it in the middle of the center console, which is a poor use of space. There are two large cupholders, though, and the covered bin below the display screen has a wireless charger inside, making it an excellent place for storing a smartphone.
In addition, the Evoque has a small storage bin under the split-top center armrest. The side-by-side lids open separately, making access to the storage challenging when just one lid is open. You must open both anyway, so one full-sized lid would make more sense.
The cargo area is reasonably sized, with room for a few pieces of luggage or a week's worth of groceries. Behind the 40/20/40 split rear seats is 21.6 cubic-feet of space, which expands to 50.5 cu-ft with them folded down. Four tie-down hooks on the cargo floor are handy for securing loose gear.
Perry Stern
Evoque Infotainment System Is Improved but Still Frustrating
The 2024 Range Rover Evoque gets the latest version of the company's Pivi Pro infotainment system, displayed on a new 11.4-inch curved touchscreen. The display is stylish and intuitive, with the most-used features appearing on large, active tiles that swipe left or right.
Virtual controls on the edges of the screen provide quick access to climate system settings, stereo volume, outside cameras, the navigation system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and other functions. That's a lot to present in a small space, and adjusting the cabin temperature or volume via the sliders on the touchscreen is difficult when parked, let alone while driving. Range Rover should not have removed the physical controls for those features.
The Evoque's Amazon Alexa voice interface works well as an alternative to the touchscreen. A button on the steering wheel activates it, and the natural voice recognition system understood my requests to adjust the cabin temperature, make a phone call, and set a destination in the navigation system.
The Evoque comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. I connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth, and Android Auto immediately appeared as an option in the system. Fortunately, the native infotainment system controls remain on the edges of the screen, even with Android Auto operating, making it easy to access those features.
Perry Stern
Assistance Features Allow Evoque to Roam Off-Road
It may not look like a vehicle ready to tackle off-pavement excursions, but as with its larger siblings, the Range Rover Evoque has features to help in off-road scenarios. Granted, its 8.3 inches of ground clearance limits the type of terrain the Evoque can handle — for comparison, a Subaru Outback has 8.7 inches of clearance — but the latest version of Range Rover's Terrain Response technology assists when off-road.
Thanks to Terrain Response 2, drivers can set the Evoque up for traveling on different types of terrain. Selections include Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud-Ruts, Sand, and Automatic modes, altering the drivetrain to match the terrain. In addition, Hill Descent Control and Hill Launch Assist are standard on all Evoques.
The Pivi Pro touchscreen displays off-road information and features, including slope assist and a wade-sensing function. Range Rover says the Evoque can traverse up to about 21 inches of standing water and even has wade sensors to alert the driver if the water is getting too deep.
Perry Stern
The Evoque's Safety Features Lack a Crucial Technology
The 2024 Range Rover Evoque includes most of the driver-assistance features you expect to find in a luxury SUV — even an entry-level model. There is an exception, though. The Evoque lacks lane-centering assist.
Lane centering provides steering assistance to keep a vehicle in the middle of a lane while driving on a highway. It is commonly standard on far more affordable vehicles, such as the Toyota Corolla, so it was a surprise that it was missing from the Evoque.
While the Evoque doesn't have lane centering, the adaptive cruise control worked well. With the speed set to 70 mph on Michigan's Interstate 94, the Evoque reduced speed smoothly when approaching slower vehicles and expertly maintained a set distance behind them until I changed lanes. With an open road ahead, the Evoque automatically resumed the original set speed.
When encountering heavy or stop-and-go traffic, the adaptive cruise control continued to function well, bringing the Evoque to a smooth stop when vehicles ahead came to a halt. To resume operation when traffic begins to move, simply tap the accelerator with your right foot.
The Evoque's rear cross-traffic alert system proved helpful when reversing onto a busy road. In this situation, the cross traffic was difficult to see, but the system provided an audible alert while showing the travel direction of the approaching vehicle on the display screen.
While the Evoque comes standard with a long list of safety features, it's hard to say whether or not this SUV is safe. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have not published safety ratings for the 2024 Range Rover Evoque.
Perry Stern
The Turbocharged Engine Could Use More Power
Every Range Rover Evoque has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and an all-wheel-drive system. Range Rover has shelved last year's hybrid version of this powertrain, which is a shame because the standard powerplant doesn't deliver much performance. Range Rover says the Evoque will reach 60 mph in 7 seconds, slower than most competitors.
The turbocharged engine also doesn't boast impressive fuel economy. According to the EPA, the 2024 Evoque gets 20/27/22 mpg city/highway/combined. On my evaluation route, the trip computer indicated an average of 21.5 mpg. That's close to the EPA ratings but still a poor showing for such a small SUV. By comparison, the standard version of the large BMW X7 three-row SUV earns ratings of 21/25/22 mpg.
Perry Stern
Around town, the Evoque feels peppy up to about 30 mph. After that, it runs out of steam. The lack of power is particularly noticeable when getting onto the freeway or attempting to pass slower vehicles.
Once the SUV is traveling at highway speed, the ride is smooth and comfortable, and the chassis nicely absorbs any bumps in the road. Road and wind noise is minimal, allowing for easy conversations or enjoyment of the sound system. However, the Evoque's steering feels vague, and constant corrections are necessary to stay in the lane.
The steering issue was less noticeable on two-lane back roads, but it still isn't as precise as what you'll experience in some of the SUV's rivals. Also, while the handling is decent, there's a good amount of body lean when you push it hard in the corners. The Evoque looks like it should be the sporty, agile version of the 2024 Range Rover family, but it doesn't drive that way.
While I didn't have the opportunity to take the Evoque off-roading, it delivered a stable, confident ride with good traction on the many dirt roads in the area. The Evoque remained comfortable despite some washboard surfaces and loose gravel, even when hitting large potholes at a good clip.
Perry Stern
A Stylish Entry Point to the Range Rover Brand
The 2024 Range Rover Evoque is all about style. It offers attractive design, premium interior materials, a smooth ride, new tech features, more utility than a car, and a facsimile of the brand's legendary off-roading capability.
However, while I appreciate the Evoque's clean interior design, the cumbersome controls for the most commonly used features can be frustrating. Physical knobs for the stereo and temperature settings would be welcome updates.
Perry Stern
Beyond that, the biggest disappointment with the 2024 Evoque is its dissatisfying performance. Compact luxury crossovers such as the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X4, and Volvo XC60 deliver better acceleration than this Range Rover, and the European models offer higher-performance variants.
Hopefully, Range Rover will return the more powerful hybrid variant of the Evoque to the lineup, making this stylish and capable crossover more appealing and competitive.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Perry SternI have loved cars and trucks since childhood, and that fascination with anything that drives is just as strong today. As a teenager, I knew I wanted to become an automotive journalist, and during the past three decades, I have driven, written about, and photographed all manner of automobiles ranging from affordable econocars to exotic supercars. With the idea that there is a perfect car, truck, or SUV for everyone, my goal is to help consumers determine the right one for their wants and needs.
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