How capable is the 2023 Range Rover Evoque? We look at powertrain, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
There are no major changes for the Evoque in the 2023 model year. The only one of note is that Amazon Alexa integration has been added to the infotainment system.
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Bold styling
Excellent interior quality
Off-road skills
Tight interior
Middling fuel economy
Mediocre engines
We would love to see more power
Almost every Evoque is powered by a 2.0-liter 246-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Called the P250 in Land Rover parlance, it’s mated to a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Daily driving tasks don’t really take it very far outside of its comfort zone. We found it to be smooth, quiet, and easy to get along with but short on power when we really needed it.
Thankfully, Land Rover does offer more power with its top trim HST. That Evoque uses a mild hybrid system in unison with the same four-cylinder engine to make 296-hp. It’s much more satisfying to use in places where power is important like the highway. Neither Evoque is particularly athletic on pavement though. Each one experienced just a bit more body roll than we expected so we’d love to see Land Rover add stiffer sway bars to keep the car from pitching in corners. Feedback from the controls is good and it’s easy to place the SUV exactly where you want it.
That’s vital should the road ever run out. The Evoque is perhaps the most capable SUV in this space. With a 25-degree approach angle, Land Rover’s terrain-dependent traction system, and hill descent control, the Evoque can go where other SUVs physically can’t. It’s no Defender, but it’s got the same DNA.
Despite its diminutive size, the Evoque is quite the hauler. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 3,968 pounds which is quite a bit more than the majority of its rivals. That’s good too because as you’ll see, interior cargo space isn’t a strong suit for the Evoque.
According to the EPA the base P250 engine in the Evoque should get about 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. Interestingly enough, the P300 with its mild hybrid system isn’t much better at all. It should get about 21 mpg in the city and just 26 on the highway. At least buyers won’t be paying a big penalty for the extra power on offer.
Very few automakers blend interior style, substance, and warmth as effortlessly as Land Rover seems to. There’s no doubt that front passengers in the Evoque will feel like they’re sitting in a special vehicle. The stitching, leather, and trim treatments from one B-pillar to the other are outstandingly crafted and attractive. We especially like the understated controls used for the climate settings and those found on the steering wheel.
Sadly, rear-seat occupants won’t be as happy considering the dramatic lack of usable space. We expect most adults to feel somewhat cramped back there and so we’d reserve hauling more than two people around for rarer occasions. The cargo area outback is pretty small too. Thankfully, Land Rover has other options for those who need to haul more.
The only infotainment system available in the Evoque is a 10-inch unit equipped with Land Rover’s Pivi Pro user interface. It’s above average in terms of usability and in addition to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, has added Amazon Alexa for the 2023 model year. Navigation is also standard but buyers will need to pay more for things like a heads-up display, a Wi-Fi hotspot, or a premium audio system. One option we’d absolutely pay for is a 12.3-inch driver information display which is bright, easy to use, and configurable.
Land Rover adds adaptive cruise control to its list of standard driver assistant features this year. That list already includes lane-keep assist, parking assistance, an alertness monitor, emergency brake assist, and traffic sign recognition. As of this writing, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has released any safety data on the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.
The base Evoque uses the P250 drivetrain mentioned above along with 18-inch wheels, 12-way adjustable heated front seats, leather upholstery, a power tailgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch infotainment system equipped with both Android and Apple connectivity.
This trim adds metal pedals and paddle shifters along with unique exterior trim bits to the wheels and air inlets.
This mid-tier trim adds driver seat memory, blind-spot monitoring, a clear-exit monitor, a Meridian premium sound system, 20-inch wheels, and LED lighting both front and rear.
Combine the SE with the same metal pedals, paddle shifters, and exterior accoutrement and you’ll get the R-Dynamic SE.
The top trim adds the more powerful P300 engine along with DuoLeather seats, red brake calipers, a heated steering wheel, a sliding panoramic roof, black contrast roof paint, and a 12.3-inch driver information display.
Every Evoque comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty that’s matched by the powertrain coverage. Land Rover doesn’t offer any special perks like complimentary maintenance though.
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Undoubtedly, the Range Rover Evoque started a trend. It came on the scene and proved that style and luxury could be found in an SUV that was also somewhat capable off-road. Today, it continues to be worthy of consideration for those interested in this segment. Sure, we’d love a bit more power and some more space in the back seat but those are fair trade offs for some. At the same time, keep in mind that the market has grown up around the Evoque and other brands are offering similar, and perhaps even more impressive cars.