2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has a combination of factors going its way: it's elegant and modern while being rugged and durable. Does it have enough features to make it a contender in the luxury SUV market? Below are several of its advantages as well as some of its disadvantages.

What's New for 2020?

For 2020, Land Rover has completely changed its approach to the Evoque. No longer are there options to get a two-door or two-door convertible Evoque. Instead, the SUV now feels a little more mainstream, but it still stands out with its distinct Range Rover style. It has a more compact size to attract a wide range of buyers, and it has a competitive price point to match.

There are six trims: the S, SE, R-Dynamic S, D-Dynamic SE, R-Dynamic HSE, and First Edition. In general, each offers more than the previous in terms of luxury, performance, and technology.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque – The Pros

1. Responsive Engine

The first choice of engine - a 2.0L, four-cylinder model - comes on the lower trims. It's a turbocharged engine that can output 246 horsepower along with 269 pound-feet of torque. When paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission (which also comes with the other engine option), shifting is smooth and seamless. The engine has a top speed of 143 mph, and it can bring the Evoque from zero to 60 mph in only seven seconds.

Starting with the R-Dynamic, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque gets to take advantage of an upgraded MHEV, 2.0L engine. It's stats are a bit better, as it's able to accelerate to 60 mph in only 6.3 seconds and has a top speed of 150 mph. It's maximum power and torque are 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet, respectively.

2. Respectable Fuel Economy

The Evoque S and SE, with the traditional engine, get fairly good gas mileage. They can earn an estimated 20/27 (city/highway) miles per gallon. Numbers are nearly identical on the other engine, as the MHEV model achieves up to 21/26 (city/highway) mpg.

3. Towing Capacity

Maximum towing capacity on the Evoque is 3,306 pounds. For a smaller SUV that may be used only occasionally to transport extra gear or equipment, this is a nice perk.

4. Sleek Exterior

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has a stunning design, with flush door handles, unique angles, and soft curves. Across the line-up, the LED headlights are narrow and angled slightly downward, giving them a more aggressive appearance. On the First Edition, there are 20-inch wheels that have a 5 split-spoke design along with illuminated tread plates. There's also the opportunity to upgrade to larger 21-inch wheels that command more attention.

5. Comfortable Cabin

All of the choices for seating materials look and feel luxurious. Some of the choices are ebony grained leather seats, Deep Garnet quilted Windsor leather, and Cloud Kvadrat premium textile paired with Dynamic suede cloth. The front seats can be power-adjusted in up to 16 different ways. They can be heated and cooled in addition to being able to perform massages. For the back-seat passengers, there's also the option to put in heated second-row seats.

Likewise, the finishing materials in the cabin are all high-end. Customers can choose from materials like natural umber ash veneer or gradated linear dark aluminum trim, depending on their preferred color scheme.

6. Stay "InControl" Through the Infotainment System

InControl is the name of Land Rover's infotainment system. There are two options here: Touch Pro and Touch Pro Duo. Touch Pro comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it has multi-touch and pinch-to-zoom capabilities. With Touch Pro Duo, an additional ten-inch screen is included. The second screen is used to control climate and the seats, and it can be used to play media when the upper screen is being used for navigation.

7. Keeping Hands on the Wheel

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has many controls mounted on the steering wheel so that drivers can keep their hands where they belong. One of these buttons activates Voice Recognition, which lets people simply speak to the vehicle to make phone calls and control music playback.

Additionally, an optional head-up display can automatically provide people with vital information about vehicle performance. This information would be displayed on the windshield, just beyond the steering wheel, in a place that's easy to see but doesn't distract from driving.

8. See Through the Car

With the ClearSight feature, the Evoque can give drivers the ability to see right through their vehicles. ClearSight Ground View uses a camera mounted on the front of the vehicle to show people what's directly underneath their hood. It can be useful when driving on uneven terrain. (ClearSight Rear View is another feature that uses a screen embedded in the rearview mirror to display what's behind the vehicle.)

9. Go Off the Road

There are numerous ways in which the Evoque is ready to hit the trail. It can come with Low Traction Launch, which optimizes torque at speeds under 18 mph to make it easier to start moving on slippery ground. Wade Sensing is an optional feature, and it will warn a driver if the vehicle is getting close to its maximum wading depth - which is 23.6 inches.

Off-roading often involves going down steep descents. To assist in this area, the Evoque can come with Gradient Release Control and Hill Descent Control. Both systems work together to control braking and acceleration so that going downhill is smooth, slow, and controlled. These systems can save the brake system from getting worn down prematurely.

10. Driver-Assist Features

The Evoque is ready to assist drivers with its various mechanisms. The Rear Camera displays its video feed either on the touchscreen or on the rearview camera, if equipped with ClearSight. When driving forward, Emergency Braking can kick into action if necessary to avoid hitting other vehicles or people walking or biking. Also, Lane Keep Assist keeps the vehicle from drifting by gently steering in the right direction. More features are available at an additional cost, to include a 360-degree parking aid and an advanced Park Assist package that helps with parallel and perpendicular parking.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque – The Cons

1. Only One Engine for Each Model

While there are two total engines available on the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, the company limited certain models to particular engines. This doesn't leave a lot up to the customers who maybe want to go with a more affordable option but still would have liked to upgrade the engine.

2. Small Cargo Space

Behind the second row, there is 21.5 cubic feet of cargo space. This isn't the largest of spaces, especially if anyone is packing for a long road trip. For those occasions when larger items need to be carried, the second row can be lowered. This would expand the cargo capacity to 50.5 cubic feet.

3. Low Roof in the Back

The sloped roof of the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque adds to its modern, streamlined appearance, but it does detract a bit from the spaciousness of the cabin. This is especially true for the second-row passengers, as they have only 38.3 inches of head room. Considering that rear leg room is 33.8 inches, the back row can start to feel cramped after awhile.

4. Expensive Upgrades

The base model of the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has many premium components and a classy style. It's competitively priced, and the R-Dynamic trims are available for a modest price increase. Where people will really notice a difference is with the First Edition, as it's over $10,000 more expensive than a R-Dynamic.

What does one get for the additional cost? There are several features, such as premium LED headlights and a fixed panoramic roof that will immediately jump out as enhancements. Inside the cabin, there are metal tread plates and ambient lighting that can be customized. Also, this car is fully loaded with driver-assist systems and advanced technology. The truth remains, though, that not all people will find those upgrades attractive enough to call for such a big price jump.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has a lot of competitors in a market that seems to be constantly growing. The Mercedes-Benz GLA seems similar to the Evoque at first glance, but upon further analysis, it's clear that the Evoque has more conveniences and high-end elements. It also has some advantages over the BMW X5, the most obvious of which is its price point. For offering many similar features, it would be hard to not notice the significant difference in cost between the two SUVs.

Conclusion

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has an unmistakable elegance. It's base engine is powerful on its own, and there's the option to get a higher performing component. All together, the exterior and interior details help the Evoque strike a positive impression. It performs well in a variety of situations, and this versatility is impressive. Overall, the Evoque is a good purchase and would make most drivers happy with how they've spent their money.