2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The all-new 2012 Range Rover Evoque is available in a single trim level and multiple design themes that add cosmetic as well as creature comfort features. The price for the base Pure Plus trim is set at $41,145 and all the trim levels do get 4WD as standard along with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline motor. Since the SUV comes highly equipped with features right from the base trim, it sits on the upper section of the standard price range of vehicles in the segment. Apart from the “trim” packages, there are some optional extras to equip the SUV even better such as 20-inch wheels, heating function for the front seats, steering wheel, windshield washer jets, and windshield. All the trims can be equipped with a rear-seat entertainment package except for the base Pure Plus trim.

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We would recommend the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Pure Premium since it offers a well-balanced package. However, since there are no price differences, you can practically opt for any package you wish.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged Ingenium I-4 motor which dishes out a maximum of 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. The engine is peppy and sporty in nature and given the SUV’s compact footprint, the overall performance is at par with the rivals. The 0-60mph sprint takes a bit longer than average at 7.4 seconds but it is acceptable since the vehicle offers some true off-roading prowess by virtue of the tried and tested Terrain Response System of Land Rover. Ride quality is surprisingly good for a Land Rover vehicle and the handling is sharp as well. 

The Audi Q5 gets a naturally aspirated I-4 motor hence it dishes out a lower horsepower but has a slightly better torque output. The BMW X3 has a unique I-6 motor and puts out identical horsepower to the Evoque. The Mercedes-Benz GLK is the most muscular one here with a 3.5-liter V6 under the hood and putting out 268 horsepower.

The Range Rover Evoque is surprisingly fuel-efficient for an SUV. The EPA ratings for the SUV stand at 18mpg for the city, 28mpg for the highways, and 22mpg of combined mileage. The vehicle has a decent-sized gas tank measuring 18 gallons and combined with the fuel economy figures, will deliver some decent driving range.

The Audi Q5 has slightly better city mileage yet marginally lower highway mileage than the Evoque. The BMW X3 has mediocre mileage ratings considering its bigger powertrain and power output. The GLK Class has the least mileage figures since it has a sizable motor and healthy power output figures.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque interior is classy and elegant yet carries a modern design too. The dashboard design looks quite ahead of its time and the overall style quotient is perhaps the best in the segment. The front seats are spacious and comfortable with power adjustments and a good amount of cushioning. The headroom is a bit on the lower side owing to the lower roofline and the cargo capacity is also sub-par as opposed to the segment. There are some Jaguar bits inside the cabin especially on the center console and the rear seats are more accommodating than the coupe version of the SUV.

The Audi Q5 gets a plush and practical cabin with a generous amount of headroom and legroom for both the front and rear seats. The cargo capacity is also better than the Evoque as well. The BMW X3’s cabin looks like any other Beemer but its center console looks busy with an array of buttons for multiple controls. The Mercedes-Benz GLK has the most boring and dull interior with an overly busy dashboard and center console but is quite comfy nonetheless.

Some interior features are:

• Keyless ignition
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel 
• Power-operated front seats (six-way driver, four-way passenger)
• Leather upholstery 
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

How intuitive is the 2012 Range Rover Evoque’s infotainment unit?

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque comes standard with a big 8-inch touchscreen interface which it shares with Jaguar. The user interface is more refined now but the laggy nature still bogs down the experience. The system offers a handful of features such as Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and an 11-speaker sound system among other features. There is also an option for a rear-seat entertainment system to enhance the overall experience.

Some infotainment features include:

• 8.0-inch Infotainment display
• Bluetooth compatibility
• Auxiliary audio jack
• 11-speaker audio system standard
• 17-speaker surround-sound audio system with a 10-CD changer

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque looks quite unique from the outside as compared to the traditional German SUVs in the segment. The front end still looks very much a Range Rover and the design cues have been borrowed from the bigger Range Rover vehicles. The sleek wrap-around headlights with LED accents and the sleek front grille gives a mild aggressive stance to the SUV while the rear end is quite compact. The ground clearance on offer is almost segment-leading and allows the vehicle to scale some tough terrains.

The Evoque is the most compact vehicle among the rivals here but also offers the best ground clearance too. The Audi Q5 gets a traditional design from the brand with a wide front grille and the LED lights accentuate it nicely. The BMW X3 wears the dullest design but the Mercedes-Benz GLK has the looks the best with a head-turning front design.

Some exterior features include:

• 19-inch wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• Front and rear parking sensors,
• Power liftgate
• Automatic wipers

The 2012 Land Rover Evoque has not yet been tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS. But, like all other Land Rover vehicles, the Evoque is equipped with almost all the basic safety features and comes with sturdy build quality as well. Some of the standard features include an anti-lock braking system, stability control, traction control, trailer sway control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and standard parking sensors.

Some safety features include:

• Hill-start assist
• A 360-degree parking camera system
• Blind-spot warning system, 
• Adaptive xenon headlamps with automatic high beams
• Trailer sway control

The Land Rover Evoque is the newest contender in the segment which has been primarily dominated by German vehicles such as the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. The Evoque offers a plethora of features right from the base trim which makes it more expensive than the base trim of its rivals but doesn’t offer any optional powertrains, unlike its rivals. Also, it comes with the legendary Land Rover Terrain Response System which offers excellent off-roading prowess as well.