Pros:
- Legendary Range Rover all-terrain capability
- Same adaptive damping system as a Ferrari provides excellent ride quality
- Buttery-soft leather seats for all-day comfort
- Extensive list of customizable options
- Roomy for a small SUV
- Tiny 2.0 engine is efficient, powerful and torquey from 1750 rpm
- Excellent driving position and fun to drive with great balance of on road and off road handling
Cons:
- Oversized outside view mirrors
- Small number available worldwide for its first year of production
- visibility out of side rear windows is less than normal
The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is a compact, luxury crossover that offers premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and renowned Land Rover all-terrain capability. Available as a coupe or 5-door model, the Evoque will be in high demand as only 2200 units are being built and sold worldwide in its first year of production which begins this summer.
CarReview was invited to test drive the new Evoque on the city streets of San Francisco. Granted, the potholes and broken asphalt of a concrete jungle are not considered a true test of the Evoque’s off-road capabilities, but it was a good proving ground to show off how well the Evoque can maintain a comfortable ride on roads that could qualify on the list of top ten worst maintained roads in the U.S.
Fortunately, our cars were equipped with the optional MagneRide™ adaptive damping system, which is almost the same hardware used in Ferraris. Essentially, the damping system quickly reacts to conditions so that big bumps and frenetic cornering are handled with superior finesse, but also loosens to allow the ride to stay cloud-soft when conditions are not so demanding. When in action, harsh ridges and potholes are smothered with luxury-car quietness.
Scooting around the city, we found outward visibility is very good for the driver. The opera windows on the C-pillar aid the driver when changing lanes or maneuvering in tight spots. The only thing hindering visibility is the overly large outside mirrors which can block your view at the 11 o’clock position.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which pumps out a prodigious 240 horsepower and can giddy-up from zero to 60 in 7.1 seconds. Not bad for a crossover that has all-terrain capability and can wade through water up to 19 inches without suffocating.
Combined city and highway fuel economy for the turbocharged gas engine is 27 mpg overall. EPA estimates have not been released, yet. Premium gas (91 octane) is recommended to keep the peppy 4-cylinder engine happy.
