Should You Buy? 5 Pros & Cons of Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2021

The Range Rover Evoque is a compact luxury crossover (CUV) SUV produced by the British car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover. The Evoque was introduced in 2011 and is currently in its second generation from 2019.

Basically, the Range Rover Evoque is available in base Evoque and sporty R-Dynamic. These two are further broken down into S, SE, and HSE. To make it more clear, the 2021 Evoque is available in five trims: the Base S, SE, R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE, and R-Dynamic HSE. The equipment level in the S and SE trims is the same, while the R-Dynamic model adds some sleeker styling.

The 2021 Range Rover Evoque comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter (P250) 4-cylinder engine with 247 hp and four-wheel drive.

What’s New for 2021?

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For 2021, the Range Rover Evoque‘s lineup has been simplified. It now comes with a single 247 hp engine as standard, with the previous optional engine with 296 hp dropped. The most notable change is the introduction of the Pivi Pro infotainment system with quick response, ease of use, and over-the-air updates. Other changes include the addition of a new surround-view camera system that simplifies parking in tight spaces and a new rear cross-traffic collision monitor.

Let us take a brief look at the 5 pros and 5 cons of the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque in order to understand how the car fares compared to other cars in its category.

5 Pros

Tranquil And Hushed Highway Ride

One thing Land Rover has perfected over the years is making off-roaders handle well on the road. The 2021 Evoque feels nimble, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll learn that it has substituted some of its agility for a more luxurious feel and comfortability.

In corners, it manages well body roll to agreeable levels and feels composed and nothing else. 

In terms of ride comfort, the Evoque reminds you that it’s a Range Rover, and it feels each and every bit like one. At low speeds, the ride can be unyielding, but there’s an aura of gentleness to it still unlike the previous model. The cabin is well insulated against noise and the power plants have been remarkably isolated from the cabin and are relatively quiet at all times, even when the revs approach the redline.

Class-leading Off-road Capability

One area in which the Evoque has flourished over the years is in its off-road capabilities. With the introduction of the 2021 model, the Evoque has maintained its status as a capable off-roader. With a wading depth of about 21 inches and a maximum ground clearance of 8.3 inches, and four-wheel drive as standard, the 2021 Evoque is a car that takes off-roading with pleasure. Now add to that some standard technological features such as Land Rover‘s Terrain Response 2 System, which manually or automatically optimizes the car’s performance by selecting one of several modes (off-road setups) depending on the surface be it Mud, Ruts, Gravel, Grass, Snow, or Sand, and a wading depth sensor that alerts the driver when the vehicle approaches its max water depth. Another cool optional feature is the ClearSight Ground View, which makes use of several forward-facing cameras to come up with a composite image of the ground ahead, allowing you to see any obstacles within your path.

Refined Infotainment System

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The 2021 Evoque comes fitted with a new and refined Pivi infotainment system. The system comes with two 10.0-inch touchscreen displays, one as standard and the other as optional with Pivi or Pivi Pro software. Pivi is standard while Pivi Pro is reserved for the premium models. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard, while Pivi Pro adds the ability to connect two phones at the same time via Bluetooth and over-the-air updates.

Standard features on this system include a 10-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, voice recognition, HD Radio, satellite radio, two USB ports, and Bluetooth. Optional features are a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless device charging, a second 10-inch touch screen, a 14-speaker Meridian surround-sound stereo, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, two additional USB ports, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Stylish And Premium Interior

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Once you step into an Evoque, the first thing to capture your attention is the premium feel – the low-line dashboard, the studious trims and materials, voluptuous seats, and the twin-screen infotainment system.

The driving position is just about perfect, placed highly above non-SUV, but reclined enough to distance itself from feeling truck-like. The major drawback is poor visibility because of the sizeable A- and B-pillars, but also the slit-like rear windows that could prove claustrophobic especially if you opt for dark interior colors without the panoramic sunroof.

The Evoque cabin is handsomely designed and premium-looking. Each and every surface is decorated with elegant materials that include leather upholstery as standard or Windsor leather as an upgrade and aluminum or real wood trim pieces.

Up front, the Evoque provides the driver with a steering column and seat that can be adjusted in several ways to the driver’s comfort. There is also enough headroom for both the driver and front passenger. All trims have cushy, supportive, luxurious, and good lumbar setting seats.

Rear seat passengers are treated with plenty of head and legroom, even when front seats are occupied by tall passengers. Rear seat occupants have a separate control panel for the climate control system at the rear and USB sockets.

The Plug-in Hybrid Version Adds Appeal

The 2021 Evoque comes fitted with several power options, including petrol, diesel, and a plug-in hybrid. Of them all, the PHEV is the most efficient.

The 2021 Range Rover Evoque PHEV (P300e) is powered by a combination of a 1.5-liter (AJ150) petrol engine mated with a new 8-speed automatic transmission that transfers power to the front wheels and a 109 hp electric motor that propels the rear wheels (Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD)) and powered by a 15kWh lithium-ion battery located under the rear seats.

The combined fuel consumption for the 2021 Range Rover Evoque P300e plug-in hybrid is 49.9 km/l and an electric range of up to 54 km.

The Evoque P300e PHEV can be recharged from 0-80% from an AC domestic socket in 1 hour and 24 minutes. To fully charge it from a domestic socket it takes 6 hours 42 minutes. You can also rapidly charge it from 0-80% in 30 minutes by using a 32 KW DC public charger.

5 Cons

Inferior Cargo and In-car Storage

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The 2021 Range Rover Evoque has a 591-liter boot with the rear seats in place and expands to 1383 liters with the seats folded down (do not fold flat). This compared to its competitors is average as their capacities fall between 525/1430 liters (BMW X4), 432/1308 liters (Volvo XC40), and 530/1525 liters (Audi Q3).

So if you are looking for a cargo-hauling family car, then the Evoque is not the best in the class, although it’s roomier than the previous model.

Interior storage includes a glove box, door pockets, a center console bin, and two cupholders at the front. At the rear, you get door pockets that can handle a 500ml bottle. No place for holding items such as phones, keys, and other small items.

Shoddy Acceleration

The 2021 Range Rover Evoque comes in a choice of 4 basic engine setups. These are the 2.0-liter petrol, 1.5-liter petrol, 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and 2.0-liter diesel.

The base engine is the turbocharged 2.0-liter which has enough power, but its behavior is dismaying. Acceleration is awkward and extremely laggy; press the accelerator and you get no response at first, then give it some time and it’ll lurch forward. For a car marketed as the ultimate urban SUV, this behavior makes it difficult for city driving. Its automatic stop-start system has issues as well as it does not function as it should, either, and its activation takes too long when you need it to kick in. Lastly, the transmission makes matters even worse as explained below. 

Lackluster 9-speed Automatic Transmission

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The 2021 Evoque comes fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 246 hp as standard. This engine is powerful enough to effortlessly accelerate the car from a stop to higher speeds with zeal. However, the standard 9-speed automatic transmission is at fault at times as it can sometimes seek the correct gear. This typically occurs when you need a quick burst of acceleration, and the transmission fails (sometimes) to respond, no matter how hard you press the accelerator. Press the accelerator pedal halfway down and it will occasionally downshift two gears.

Inefficient Petrol Engines

The 2021 Evoque is 172.1 inches long and weighs 1.78 tons without passengers. This weight helps the Evoque feel planted and sturdy compared to most subcompact SUVs. Unfortunately, the weight also gives it a thirsty appetite for fuel, unlike other subcompact SUVs. At 8.5 km/l city, 11.5 km/l highway, and 9.35 km/l combined, it returns about 1.7 to 2.1 km/l less than other cars in its class.

Less Physical Control Buttons

With plenty of new tech that seems up to par on paper, control is cumbersome. The Evoque‘s minimalist design calls for minimal control buttons, as a result, most functions are accessed via the InControl Touch Pro Duo system. That system is not so user-friendly despite its clean look. The menus can be difficult to read, and performing simple tasks can involve clicking on multiple screens to get what you need. And once you finally select the option, there are some delays from when you click to when it starts working.

Final Verdict

With all said, we conclude by saying that there is a lot to like about the 2021 Evoque, from its attractive styling and striking interior, as well as its perfect mixture of on-road dynamics and off-road ability. The new Pivi infotainment system with its twin 10.0-inch screens is a welcome addition. But the drivetrain is so average, performance is not up to par, and fuel efficiency is below-average.

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Written by: Samuel H. Mponezya

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