Range Rover Evoque review

Land Rover gives its big-selling Evoque the plug-in hybrid treatment. Does it stack up? Introduced right at the end of 2018, the second-generation Range Rover Evoque has had a busy life so far.It received new RDE2-compliant diesel engines in the spring of 2019 and then, in summer 2020, the P300e plug-in hybrid version was announced. Shortly after that came a 2021-model-year update for Land Rover's Evoque range as a whole, which added JLR’s Pivi Pro infotainment system, as well as a range of active safety technologies.And that’s before we get to what an important car the Evoque is for Land Rover. It functions not just as a big seller in its own right: it’s also the entry point to the Range Rover line-up, ideally placed to funnel customers into the more expensive Velar, Sport and the full-size Range Rover.The L551-generation Evoque has been an Autocar class favourite since it launched. In diesel form, it beat up its premium-brand compact SUV rivals pretty conclusively not long after it was introduced, and when we originally road tested the P300e plug-in hybrid, we awarded it 4.5 stars.For the 2024 model year (on sale from late 2023), the Evoque has received another update, which sounds like a good thing, but it has just given a reason for existing Evoque owners to hang on their car.The Evoque line-up at a glanceOver the past five years, the Evoque line-up had become rather complicated, so for the 2024 model year, JLR has rationalised it a tad. The trim line-up starts with the S, which comes decently well equipped, with electric leather seats with a memory function. Next up is Dynamic SE, which adds sportier styling, as well as a Meridian sound system, blindspot monitoring, keyless entry and a powered tailgate. Dynamic HSE and Autobiography ramp up the equipment further.The range of powertrains remains extensive, and because the names refer to the power output in PS, relatively logical. There used to be a mild-hybrid P300 four-cylinder petrol, but that has been deleted.VersionpowerD165 FWD manual161bhpD165 AWD MHEV161bhpP200 AWD MHEV197bhpD200 AWD MHEV201bhpP250 AWD MHEV246bhpD250 AWD†237bhpP300 AWD MHEV†296bhpP300e AWD PHEV*304bhp†Discontinued *Version testedTransmissions: 9-spd automatic, 6-spd manual (D165 FWD only) 8-spd automatic (P300e only)