Land Rover Range Rover Evoque TD4 Prestige 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The ride is supple and soft enough to take the edge off any lumps and bumps in the road, and the steering is very responsive and gets the right balance that feels right to the driver. The engine means that there is plenty of power to be transferred to the wheels, and this is reflected well in the overall handling of the car. The higher sitting position in a 4x4 certainly improves the view of the road, but the view through the back window isn't as good as it could be.

The engine performance from this version is quite impressive, as the Evoque manages to accelerate from 0-62mph in a swift 10.3 seconds. It also has a top speed of 115mph, which will be more than enough for the majority of drivers. One of the interesting aspects of the vehicle is that all the systems are controlled by an intuitive touch screen console, making altering entertainment or the climate in the vehicle while driving much easier.

The Range Rover Evoque is certainly a boldly designed 4x4, with the large chunky engine cavity and large door panels leaving the windows a little smaller than most people would expect. The front end is particularly well styled, with the narrow headlights and grille giving way to the large chunky bumper below. The back end is generally tidy and typical of a Range Rover, but it does have a large spoiler which hangs over the back window.

The level of equipment to be found in the Evoque is very impressive, and the alloy wheels certainly help to keep the bold look of the vehicle. It also comes with satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and the leather seats help to make sitting in the vehicle quite comfortable. It is also worth noting the power heated seats which are good for a cold morning, and the power folding mirrors are also welcome additions to the package.

One of the problems that many people will have with the Range Rover Evoque is that it is a car that has been based on the extremely practical Range Rover, but with more stylish features that will naturally make it less practical. The space in the boot and in the back seats is still excellent, but not quite as good as it is in the standard Range Rover.

The Range Rover comes with seven airbags, and also has a range of driving aids to help keep the Evoque on the road. These features helped to ensure that this car was awarded five stars by the Euro NCAP safety tests. Land Rover are well known for making very reliable vehicles, and there is no reason why the Range Rover Evoque should be any different in this regard.

The list price for this version of the Range Rover Evoque is £36,380, and this price will often be prohibitive for many people who are looking for a stylish 4x4. However, there is no doubt that the Range Rover marque does come with a significant prestige.

The Evoque is also quite good when it comes to the fuel performance, with the 2.2 litre diesel engine delivering an average 49.6mpg. The desirability and the practicality of 4x4s means that the resale value of the Range Rover Evoque is excellent. However, the insurance group for this car is quite high, and the three year warranty and breakdown cover is average for cars in this class.