For many, the brand remains the epitome of the quintessentially British luxury SUV. But for a growing segment of the population, it has become synonymous with the notion of an environmentally reckless, gas-consuming SUV.
They’re big, heavy and still powered by V8 engines, but Range Rover knows only too well that their combustion engine lineup is getting more and more infamous.
The point is, customers love them, and while sister brand Jaguar’s I-Pace is a big step forward into the future, there has to be a happy medium to keep some existing customers from getting burned while still offering different Range Rover brands with superior quality. . and delightful Associated with the performance that people crave.
Enter this car, the Evoque HSE P300e. This is a plug-in hybrid, especially offered only on the top trim level, which also has top performance.
Is this car the right vehicle to represent an entry-level Range Rover at a critical time in technological transition? let’s see.
When we talk about redundancy, the Evoque HSE P300e is sure to show it on the price tag. The plug-in starts at a whopping $105,060, which puts it in the same class as full-size luxury PHEV rivals.
Since there are currently no small SUVs in the small luxury car segment in this league, we’ll actually have to pit the Evoque against cars like the Volvo XC60 Recharge (starting at $100,990), the BMW X3 xDrive30e (starting at $107,000), or a particularly inexpensive Lexus. Compare that to the NX 450h+ (starting at $88,323).
They are all larger than the Evoque we have, so it is naturally at a disadvantage, and as is often the case with Land Rover products, there is an extensive and sometimes crude list of options that can add thousands to the price.
For example, our test car came with over $10,000 worth of options, only three of which (two-zone climate with second-row vents – $1,000 and optional Type 2 charging cable – $528) I would add.
The HSE trim comes well-equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, matrix LED headlights, a 10-inch Pivi Pro tilting touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as built-in navigation and a second screen. for climate and vehicle functions.
There’s also a semi-digital dash (oddly, with analog dials for engine revs and road speed, but 7.0-inch digital dials for everything else), a choice of leather or suede upholstery, a leather side steering wheel, and keyless entry. with starting ignition.
Inside is a Pivi Pro 10-inch tilting touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity. (Image credit: Tom White)
It’s nice to see dot-matrix LEDs as standard here, along with a set of fancy screens and a premium interior. But it’s also disappointing, as digital radio ($520), head-up display ($1,690), data plan ($1,040), and rear-seat USB-C ($351) are optional on cars over $100,000, especially since most of them are included as standard. their competitors.
One of the main questions is how long you might have to wait. Several dealer sources tell us that customers are waiting up to 12 months for delivery at the time of writing, so be prepared if you need it.
The Evoque has always been a vehicle known for its sleek, sleek design, Jaguar Land Rover designer Jerry McGovern’s signature piece of art for the modern SUV.
With its well-proportioned, slightly lowered roofline and apt reflection of the silhouette of a diminutive Range Rover, the Evoque is both elegant and subtly hardy.
A blacked-out grille, slim headlights, and modern tailgate stripes add to the off-road appeal, as do additional details on the front bumper, hood shape, and contrasting black trim (on our optional contrasting color panels (cars paired with gloss black rims) in the test) help add to its premium appeal.
It’s important to remember that even though the Evoque is currently slipping into the busy small SUV segment, it was one of the first high-end vehicles created to so successfully capture the attention of this small SUV segment. The first new Evoque follows Land Rover’s historic trend. staying ahead of the SUV’s curve.
Competition in small SUV design may have caught the eye of many in recent years, with the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X2 and Volvo XC40 shining brightly, but few have received as many design awards as the Evoque.
The Range Rover seems to be leaning towards the trend of higher-end luxury, not just in pricing but also in the ambiance of the car’s cabin.
For example, the new generation Evoque took a big step forward in the look of its interior when it was launched in 2019 and has solidified its position in the market over time.
The HSE rating our P300e hybrid received is luxurious inside, with lovely suede seats, intricate contrasting gray fabric trim on the doors (am I picking up a Volvo influence here?) and looks very luxurious. Dashboard trimmed with soft-touch materials. .
Attention to detail, such as the silver bezel adorning the center console and media screens, gives the car a premium style that elevates the Range Rover badge above a Land Rover. I really like how the secondary screens blend seamlessly with the piano finish and built-in dials. While it’s always a nightmare to keep a piano’s glossy surface clean, it looks flawless.
It’s a bit odd that the P300e has analog dials, and despite its fast, high-resolution 7.0-inch center screen and well-designed operating system, it seems like it’s missing out on the extra benefits that an all-digital instrument cluster can offer. .
I found that the R-Dynamic mode, which improves throttle response and steering, hides both menus deep and unnecessarily hard to find, as do the various EV information screens and other less important features.
While it still plays the role of Range Rover’s smallest SUV, the current Evoque is significantly larger than the car it replaced in 2019. I would even say that it has a great interior.
The front passenger cabin now feels almost as wide as a real Range Rover, with plenty of elbow room on both sides and, of course, nice touches on soft-touch surfaces.
The raised console, like the plush instrument panel, creates a high-end feel. The standard 14-way front seats help accommodate most passengers, and my only criticism is that the large A-pillars and dash height can feel claustrophobic compared to some competing luxury SUVs.
It’s worth noting that the space in the PHEV seems to be smaller as it requires a raised floor to house the battery. (Image credit: Tom White)
Storage space is provided by a set of door pockets, a basket on the center console, two bottle holders behind the gear lever and a climate-controlled cubby that also houses a wireless charging slot.
The rear seats have the same comfort as the front ones, and there are also large pockets in the doors. Despite the lowered roofline, I have plenty of headroom at 182cm, although it’s worth noting that the space in the PHEV feels smaller due to the raised floor needed to accommodate the battery.
Behind my driving position, I also have some knee room. The main disadvantage for rear passengers is the large drive tunnel, which makes it difficult for adults to sit in the middle.
Rear passengers have adjustable air vents, but it’s disappointing that Land Rover has chosen to include a rear USB-C charging port as an optional $270 option.
The trunk also looks big for such a small SUV, with a volume of 472 liters (VDA), which is above average for the small SUV class and fits full CarGuide luggage if you remove the shelf as it is too high.
You’ll also need to place the charging cable in the trunk, as there’s no storage space under the floor, with a compact spare tire taking up all the space.
The Evoque now uses Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium line of hybrid engines across its range, and the setup that appears in the plug-in hybrid model is perhaps the most interesting.
It consists of a 147kW/280Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder internal combustion engine and an 80kW electric motor driving the rear axle, which together deliver an impressive total output of 227kW/540Nm driving all four wheels.
Evoque now uses Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium family of hybrid engines across its entire range. (Image credit: Tom White)
The engine is powered by a 15 kWh lithium-ion battery under the floor of the vehicle and is claimed to provide a range of 62 km on electricity alone.
Land Rover also replaced the mechanical brake pedal with an electrically operated brake pedal to improve “hybrid” regenerative braking.
The Range Rover Evoque P300e has a claimed energy consumption of 2.0 l/100 km on the WLTP combined cycle. However, as with all plug-in hybrids, a lot depends on how it’s driven.
The 15kWh battery is said to provide a range of 62km (again, on the WLTP cycle), which seems normal for a PHEV, and I was pleased to find that my car got about 56km on a full charge, which is close to what was claimed. Long away.
Importantly, the Evoque has excellent charging performance, making it ideal for urban commuting while requiring minimal time for convenient charging.
The Range Rover Evoque P300e has a claimed energy consumption of 2.0 l/100 km on the WLTP combined cycle. (Image credit: Tom White)
When I opened the panel, I was surprised to find a DC charging port capable of charging a tiny battery in just 20 minutes (at 35 kW peak power) compared to a slower but easier to find AC charger. It can consume 7 kW of power. , which allows you to charge for about two hours.
This is well above plug-in hybrid standards and makes charging fast, simple and convenient, even for those who can’t charge at home.
With minimal time spent in standby or hybrid mode due to the ease of charging, my car reported a staggering 1.0/100km fuel consumption over the course of the week, mostly in city kilometers.
While the options list is long, thankfully all key safety equipment comes standard on the Evoque. Active elements include Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Alert, Clear Departure Monitor and Adaptive Cruise Control.
There are only two items left on the options list that could be considered under the safety umbrella (which became a recurring theme in this review): a 360-degree parking camera ($500) and a “ClearSight” rear-view mirror. the mirror is obscured by luggage or people in the cabin, it can display the view from the rear view camera ($1230).
Elsewhere, the Evoque has two ISOFIX child seat anchor points in the rear outboard seats and three top tethers in the rear.
Post time: Dec-03-2022