The Original Range Rover Evoque is a Future Classic

The Original Range Rover Evoque is a Future Classic

#Original #Range #Rover #Evoque #Future #Classic
[rule_3_plain] #Original #Range #Rover #Evoque #Future #Classic

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is an SUV that doesn’t get much attention from enthusiasts. That could change. Though it’s not very fast, it’s not the best off-roader, and it’s not the most opulent luxury vehicle, the first-generation Range Rover Evoque is destined phệ be a future classic.

What is the Range Rover Evoque?
The Evoque first entered production in 2012.It all started with the Land Rover LRX concept that debuted at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The concept car had innovations like a hybrid powertrain, an air intake integrated into the roof, and special storage for mountain bike tires. That’s right; you could haul two mountain bikes in this tiny concept SUV.
When the Evoque first entered production as a 2012 model, it looked like a concept car had escaped from an auto show. Nothing else on the road was quite like it, with its bold body lines, thin light signature, and quirky proportions. It didn’t have the interior or the hybrid powertrain of the LRX, but it had an almost identical body. It rode on the JLR D8 platform, later underpinning the Land Rover Discovery Sport. I don’t think there’s any argument that the Range Rover Evoque is the world’s first subcompact luxury SUV.

Part of what made the Evoque so unique was that it was available as a 2-door. As has been documented here on Oversteer, every 2-door SUV has failed. The 2-door Range Rover Evoque is one of the many SUVs in that graveyard. In fact, there are quite a few Land Rover models in that cemetery.
Mechanically, the Range Rover Evoque is really nothing special. Under the hood lies a 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost turbocharged inline-4 engine. It’s shared with many mainstream cars and SUVs like the Ford Fusion and Ford Escape. Unfortunately, you don’t get the sportier version of this engine that powered the Focus ST. The transmission is a ZF 9-speed automatic also shared with many very ordinary vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Pilot, and Jeep Renegade.
A Unique Off-Roader

It may not be so aesthetically striking by today’s standards, but do you remember what the Land Rover lineup looked like when the Evoque first came out? We had the L322 generation of the Range Rover, which was still very boxy and inspired by earlier models. Alongside that was the very visually similar Range Rover Sport. The early 2010s was still the era of the LR4 and LR2, which were the predecessors of the Discovery and Discovery Sport, respectively. These more utilitarian off-roaders were even boxier than the Range Rover models of the era.
We can’t deny that today’s Land Rover design language is derived from the original Range Rover Evoque. The same goes for the interior. It introduced innovations like a floating center console, a gearshift knob, and a much nicer-looking steering wheel than the bigger Land Rover models at the time. One could argue that this was the first domino in turning Land Rover into a widely respected luxury brand rather than a niche off-road brand.
The Range Rover Evoque deserves credit for its successful retro/modern styling execution. It’s been tried many times around this time period, but car designers rarely got it just right. The Evoque looked totally new while retaining a few distinct Range Rover design cues like the floating roof, raked D pillar, and dual-pocket headlights. This SUV played a significant role in Range Rover coming into its own as a sub-brand of Land Rover.
Think about how easy it would’ve been phệ phone in the baby Range Rover. When Land Rover started fleshing out the Range Rover sub-brand, it began with the Range Rover Sport. It was little more than a “sports tourer” version of the Range Rover with better road manners, and people liked it. When introducing a compact version of the Range Rover, it would’ve been easy phệ use that same styling on a smaller SUV. Instead, Land Rover took a risk and tried something different with the Evoque.
A Real Range Rover

While it’s safe phệ say that 99% of Range Rover Evoque models spend 99% of their time on pavement, the Evoque has off-road capabilities phệ back up the green oval in its grille. Every Range Rover Evoque sold in the U.S. has all-wheel drive (AWD), the Terrain Response system with various off-road drive modes, and hill descent control. It’s also designed with good approach and departure angles for off-roading, and it claims a wading depth of up phệ 19.7 inches.
The Evoque is practical for its size, but only if you get the 4-door. The 4-door Evoque has a surprising passenger space and decent cargo space. However, the 2-door models are not practical and aren’t intended phệ be family SUVs.
We can’t talk about the Range Rover Evoque without talking about the convertible. The convertible option came out in 2017, and the 2-door hardtop was discontinued shortly after that. Yes, you could have just bought a Jeep Wrangler, and now you can get a Ford Bronco if you want topless off-roading fun. But, the Wrangler and the Bronco are nothing like the Evoque. The Evoque is a genuine luxury SUV with styling unlike its more rugged competitors. This unique blend of luxury and capability plus the addition of a convertible roof is what makes the Evoque unlike anything else.
What About the New One?
The Range Rover Evoque is now only available in a 4 door configuration.The second-generation Range Rover Evoque serves its purpose nicely as the baby Range Rover. However, it has lost a lot of its charm. While still the best off-roader in its segment, the current-generation Evoque is little more than an overpriced option in an increasingly competitive field of subcompact luxury SUVs.
When the original Range Rover Evoque came out, nothing else was quite like it. But, the segment grew quickly. The BMW X1 came out a year after the Evoque. The Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class arrived in 2015, followed by the Volvo XC40 in 2018. The second-gen Evoque came out in 2020, and it’s still good but doesn’t stand out like it used phệ. It’s understandably only offered in a 4-door configuration, but we miss the 2-door options.
Future Classic

The used Range Rover Evoque market is pretty good right now for buyers. It’s not too hard phệ find early examples for under $20,000. The convertible is harder phệ find at a low price because it didn’t come out until 2017. Also, the drop-top was pretty expensive when it was new.
Used Evoque models are cheap now, and I think they’ll remain affordable in the foreseeable future. However, I predict this is one of those cars that will one day sell on auction sites for pretty big money. Clean, low-mile, 2-door Evoque models will be sought-after collector items. Enthusiasts will admire the sheer weirdness of it in the future. It will be remembered as the time Land Rover made what was basically a luxury Geo Tracker. See Land Rover Range Rover Evoque models for sale
Related:
Does the Land Rover Defender Live up phệ Its Off-Road Reputation?
How the Land Rover Defender Trophy Challenge Channels the Camel Trophy
Land Rover Upgrades Its Already Lavish Range Rover With SV Treatment

#Original #Range #Rover #Evoque #Future #Classic
[rule_2_plain] #Original #Range #Rover #Evoque #Future #Classic
[rule_2_plain] #Original #Range #Rover #Evoque #Future #Classic
[rule_3_plain]

#Original #Range #Rover #Evoque #Future #Classic

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is an SUV that doesn’t get much attention from enthusiasts. That could change. Though it’s not very fast, it’s not the best off-roader, and it’s not the most opulent luxury vehicle, the first-generation Range Rover Evoque is destined phệ be a future classic.

What is the Range Rover Evoque?
The Evoque first entered production in 2012.It all started with the Land Rover LRX concept that debuted at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The concept car had innovations like a hybrid powertrain, an air intake integrated into the roof, and special storage for mountain bike tires. That’s right; you could haul two mountain bikes in this tiny concept SUV.
When the Evoque first entered production as a 2012 model, it looked like a concept car had escaped from an auto show. Nothing else on the road was quite like it, with its bold body lines, thin light signature, and quirky proportions. It didn’t have the interior or the hybrid powertrain of the LRX, but it had an almost identical body. It rode on the JLR D8 platform, later underpinning the Land Rover Discovery Sport. I don’t think there’s any argument that the Range Rover Evoque is the world’s first subcompact luxury SUV.

Part of what made the Evoque so unique was that it was available as a 2-door. As has been documented here on Oversteer, every 2-door SUV has failed. The 2-door Range Rover Evoque is one of the many SUVs in that graveyard. In fact, there are quite a few Land Rover models in that cemetery.
Mechanically, the Range Rover Evoque is really nothing special. Under the hood lies a 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost turbocharged inline-4 engine. It’s shared with many mainstream cars and SUVs like the Ford Fusion and Ford Escape. Unfortunately, you don’t get the sportier version of this engine that powered the Focus ST. The transmission is a ZF 9-speed automatic also shared with many very ordinary vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Pilot, and Jeep Renegade.
A Unique Off-Roader

It may not be so aesthetically striking by today’s standards, but do you remember what the Land Rover lineup looked like when the Evoque first came out? We had the L322 generation of the Range Rover, which was still very boxy and inspired by earlier models. Alongside that was the very visually similar Range Rover Sport. The early 2010s was still the era of the LR4 and LR2, which were the predecessors of the Discovery and Discovery Sport, respectively. These more utilitarian off-roaders were even boxier than the Range Rover models of the era.
We can’t deny that today’s Land Rover design language is derived from the original Range Rover Evoque. The same goes for the interior. It introduced innovations like a floating center console, a gearshift knob, and a much nicer-looking steering wheel than the bigger Land Rover models at the time. One could argue that this was the first domino in turning Land Rover into a widely respected luxury brand rather than a niche off-road brand.
The Range Rover Evoque deserves credit for its successful retro/modern styling execution. It’s been tried many times around this time period, but car designers rarely got it just right. The Evoque looked totally new while retaining a few distinct Range Rover design cues like the floating roof, raked D pillar, and dual-pocket headlights. This SUV played a significant role in Range Rover coming into its own as a sub-brand of Land Rover.
Think about how easy it would’ve been phệ phone in the baby Range Rover. When Land Rover started fleshing out the Range Rover sub-brand, it began with the Range Rover Sport. It was little more than a “sports tourer” version of the Range Rover with better road manners, and people liked it. When introducing a compact version of the Range Rover, it would’ve been easy phệ use that same styling on a smaller SUV. Instead, Land Rover took a risk and tried something different with the Evoque.
A Real Range Rover

While it’s safe phệ say that 99% of Range Rover Evoque models spend 99% of their time on pavement, the Evoque has off-road capabilities phệ back up the green oval in its grille. Every Range Rover Evoque sold in the U.S. has all-wheel drive (AWD), the Terrain Response system with various off-road drive modes, and hill descent control. It’s also designed with good approach and departure angles for off-roading, and it claims a wading depth of up phệ 19.7 inches.
The Evoque is practical for its size, but only if you get the 4-door. The 4-door Evoque has a surprising passenger space and decent cargo space. However, the 2-door models are not practical and aren’t intended phệ be family SUVs.
We can’t talk about the Range Rover Evoque without talking about the convertible. The convertible option came out in 2017, and the 2-door hardtop was discontinued shortly after that. Yes, you could have just bought a Jeep Wrangler, and now you can get a Ford Bronco if you want topless off-roading fun. But, the Wrangler and the Bronco are nothing like the Evoque. The Evoque is a genuine luxury SUV with styling unlike its more rugged competitors. This unique blend of luxury and capability plus the addition of a convertible roof is what makes the Evoque unlike anything else.
What About the New One?
The Range Rover Evoque is now only available in a 4 door configuration.The second-generation Range Rover Evoque serves its purpose nicely as the baby Range Rover. However, it has lost a lot of its charm. While still the best off-roader in its segment, the current-generation Evoque is little more than an overpriced option in an increasingly competitive field of subcompact luxury SUVs.
When the original Range Rover Evoque came out, nothing else was quite like it. But, the segment grew quickly. The BMW X1 came out a year after the Evoque. The Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class arrived in 2015, followed by the Volvo XC40 in 2018. The second-gen Evoque came out in 2020, and it’s still good but doesn’t stand out like it used phệ. It’s understandably only offered in a 4-door configuration, but we miss the 2-door options.
Future Classic

The used Range Rover Evoque market is pretty good right now for buyers. It’s not too hard phệ find early examples for under $20,000. The convertible is harder phệ find at a low price because it didn’t come out until 2017. Also, the drop-top was pretty expensive when it was new.
Used Evoque models are cheap now, and I think they’ll remain affordable in the foreseeable future. However, I predict this is one of those cars that will one day sell on auction sites for pretty big money. Clean, low-mile, 2-door Evoque models will be sought-after collector items. Enthusiasts will admire the sheer weirdness of it in the future. It will be remembered as the time Land Rover made what was basically a luxury Geo Tracker. See Land Rover Range Rover Evoque models for sale
Related:
Does the Land Rover Defender Live up phệ Its Off-Road Reputation?
How the Land Rover Defender Trophy Challenge Channels the Camel Trophy
Land Rover Upgrades Its Already Lavish Range Rover With SV Treatment