- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.2DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
110kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XC
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2014 Range Rover Evoque Review: Pure TD4 Auto
August 26, 2014 | Photos: Jan Glovac.
Vehicle Style: Five-door small SUV
Price: $57,895 (plus on-roads), $66,935 (as tested, plus on-roads)
Engine/Trans: 110kW/400Nm 4cyl diesel | 9spd auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 6.0 l/100km | tested: 8.2 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Land Rover’s smallest luxury car recently came in for a mid-term update. This saw the beautiful Range Rover Evoque get some tweaks to the infotainment system and also heralded the addition of an optional nine-speed automatic.
Yes, you read that right - nine speeds. Can that many gears really be necessary, or useful? Quite apart from ratio-count bragging rights, Land Rover thinks so.
The rationale is fairly straightforward: more ratios means less time spent at higher revs, thereby saving fuel.
Couple that with stop-start technology and fuel use is listed at an ADR-tested 6.0 l/100km on the combined cycle. Even city-only driving is rated at 7.2 l/100km.
Of course, the ADR fuel test program is one thing, but what about in the real world? Traffic, roadworks, diversions - they all increase fuel use; something the average driver can attest to.
So how did the nine-speed Evoque fare in the daily grind? And are the extra three forward gears worth the extra $2480? We topped up the tank and got out the abacus to bring you the result.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
Quality: The Evoque’s interior hasn’t changed much since its release, but that doesn’t mean it looks dated.
While the almond-coloured interior isn’t our first choice (black is a whole lot more practical), the fitment and feel of interior surfaces is very good.
There are the obligatory brushed-metal surfaces which add an air of luxury, and while the smart angled centre console takes up a lot of room, the cabin is open and spacious.
The plastics have a nice matte texture, with an almost metallic finish, and the buttons are big and clear. The rising gear selector (a rotary dial) hasn’t dated either.