Land Rover Range Rover Evoque eD4 Prestige 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The four cylinder engine delivers a healthy power output of 150 bhp at 4000 rpm with torque figures of 280 lb-ft at 1750 rpm. This helps to give the car a decent top speed of 112 mph whilst acceleration speeds are also more than adequate, allowing the car to travel from 0-62 mph in 11.2 seconds.

In terms of engine noise, both the diesel and petrol engines can be a little disruptive when worked hard. However, motorway cruising should be a fairly pleasant experience with the engine noise dulling into a low background hum. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for wind and road noise which can be far more disruptive due to the shape and size of the car.

A stylish car, the exterior design on the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque range is practically faultless. This model also comes with a good range of in-car kit and this means the interior is just as stylish as the exterior.

Standard equipment for this model includes: power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, leather-seated interior, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors, a built-in sat nav and an advanced stereo system with both CD and MP3 compatibility as well as a metallic paint finish on the exterior.

A highly practical car, this small 4x4 offers plenty of boot space for owners regardless of whether the rear seats are in place or not. With them upright, the total loading capacity is an impressive 575 litres, expanding to 1,445 litres when the seats are folded down.

On top of this, the elevated driving position means that there is good front visibility for drivers. Unfortunately, this is not matched in the rear visibility which is obscured by the shallow windscreen.

A touch-screen control panel is used to operate a number of the internal controls within the car and whilst the buttons are large the layout of the menu can be a little confusing – compromising its practicality.

In terms of space for passengers and drivers, there is a fair amount of room in the cabin although gaining access to the rear seats can be a little bit difficult.

In terms of safety, the car performed well in the NCAP crash test where it scored the top five star rating for overall safety. This is partly thanks to an advanced safety kit which is fitted as standard and includes driver, passenger and front side airbags.

Alongside this, an alarm and immobiliser is also fitted as a standard feature to protect the car from theft. The car also comes with a three year warranty on unlimited miles to help customers keep their car in the best possible condition.

At £35,630 this model is attractively priced within its class. This affordability combines with decent levels of performance and high levels of comfort to offer great value for money to buyers.

In terms of efficiency, the engine operates well and manages to achieve 56.5 mpg on a combined cycle. Carbon emissions are also kept in check at 133 g/km, putting the car under a mid-range road tax bracket – E.

The range of in-car equipment is extensive considering the money and the low running costs associated with the model mean that it is ideal for long term ownership. The only downside associated with the model is the slightly lower performance credentials when compared to other models within the range – such as the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SD4 Prestige.