Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Sure, it wears the prestigious Range Rover logo, but the SUV is frustrating on several levels. There is a pronounced initial delay when accelerating from a rolling stop, and then the power comes on too abruptly. The ride is overly stiff; fuel economy is among the worst in its class; and outward visibility is hampered. The dual-screen infotainment system echoes other Land Rover models. We find it convoluted and rather slow to respond to commands. On the plus side, handling is quite nimble; the front seats are comfortable; and fit and finish is impressive. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assistance are standard; other advanced safety features are optional.

Interior room and visibility are sacrificed for the striking silhouette. Its Ford-supplied 240-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is mated to a six-speed automatic, (nine-speed from 2014) and returned 21 mpg overall in our tests. Acceleration and fuel economy are commendable, but the ride is choppy and noise levels are elevated. Controls are a bit quirky, which is typical of Land Rover. Routine handling is quite agile, but can become disconcerting at the limits. The Evoque's Terrain Response system facilitates moderate off-road capability, which is uncommon in this class.