Any Evoque owners?

[MOCAŠ]

Had the use of a Range Rover Evoque for a couple of days this week, and I'm smitten. Last year I had a vague notion of getting one to replace the Fabia, but as the Fabia wasn't even being used back then, I abandoned the idea.

More recently I'd been considering trading the Fabia in for a Yeti, following a test-drive of the 1.2 DSG model, which I liked a lot. But overall I find the Evoque far more appealing (and so it should be, at more than twice the price of the Yeti).

So, I'd be interested to hear of any ownership experiences before I decide whether to take the plunge.

 

[bobmedley]

I've got one, any particular thing you want to know?

 

[JasM]

Check out the Evoque forum, plenty of info on there

babyRR.com - The Range Rover Evoque Forum

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Autocar have one as one of their fleet cars. door rubbers came off aswell as the door check strap. They have also mentioned other cheap materials used.

Do they really have such bad interiors?

 

[MOCAŠ]

I've got one, any particular thing you want to know?

Thanks for responding. Just interested in general ownership experiences really, particularly in terms of those old Land Rover bugbears, reliability and build quality.

I found it hard to fault the one I had this week (although it was wider than I was expecting it to be). It seemed remarkably refined, given that it had a small-capacity 4-cylinder diesel engine (which I'd normally give a rather wide berth). I found the interior to be particularly well trimmed (let down only by the cheap-feeling slatted cover for the cup-holder recess) and overall, I took to it straight away.

Just wondering what it might like in the longer term.

 

[wemorgan]

Wait a couple of years and you can have a convertible version.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Wait a couple of years and you can have a convertible version.

That's the SLK's job.

 

[wemorgan]

That's the SLK's job.

I was thinking more along the lines of fleet rationalisation

The Evoque cabriolet does tick quite a few boxes: 4x4, cabriolet, sports, SUV, lifestyle - it's almost whatever you make of it.

 

[Tom Newton]

funny this thread should pop up my fathers has arrived this afternoon, swapped his C220 Estate Sport+ for one.

First impressions are amazing, the level of quality is mightily impressive inside, it really is a baby range rover, his is the medium spec i think. Got plenty of extras. I noticed that with the cup-holder recess as well, if you get a shinny gloss one it looks like a bread bin :/

The tech pack is well worth adding, its not cheap but comes with alot of toys, most impressive is the screen, it allows the passenger to watch a DVD and the driver to still see the Sat-Nav at the same time but on the same screen.

The ride is also really good, a lot of people say they are surprised with the comfort even on the bigger wheels. They resisted firming it up to go with the sporty looks.

One little thing hes noticed initially, the mirrors are MASSIVE, leave quite a blind spot in the front quarter. Just takes some getting used to.

Will see how it pans out

 

[st4]

You and I don't agree on a lot Mocas, but I do think it would be a nice car for you. Lofty driving position handy for around town and its got loads of badge appeal thats ideal for southerers.

I did poke around one and felt it was poorly made in some areas but was nicely trimmed and spacious enough in a way a C class estate is spacious enough. I'd rather have one of those over any other of Land Rovers cars, its the least Land Rovery of them.

 

[MOCAŠ]

I was thinking more along the lines of fleet rationalisation

The Evoque cabriolet does tick quite a few boxes: 4x4, cabriolet, sports, SUV, lifestyle - it's almost whatever you make of it.

I like your thinking, but I've a feeling it will end up being jack of all trades and master of none. It will doubtless be based on the two-door model, and will presumably also lose the tailgate in favour of some kind of flap-like bootlid.

I love the chunky look of the 5-door model, especially from the rear, and I think that would be severely compromised in convertible form.

 

[MOCAŠ]

funny this thread should pop up my fathers has arrived this afternoon, swapped his C220 Estate Sport+ for one.

First impressions are amazing, the level of quality is mightily impressive inside, it really is a baby range rover, his is the medium spec i think. Got plenty of extras. I noticed that with the cup-holder recess as well, if you get a shinny gloss one it looks like a bread bin :/

The tech pack is well worth adding, its not cheap but comes with alot of toys, most impressive is the screen, it allows the passenger to watch a DVD and the driver to still see the Sat-Nav at the same time but on the same screen.

The ride is also really good, a lot of people say they are surprised with the comfort even on the bigger wheels. They resisted firming it up to go with the sporty looks.

One little thing hes noticed initially, the mirrors are MASSIVE, leave quite a blind spot in the front quarter. Just takes some getting used to.

Will see how it pans out

Some interesting observations there.

The one I had this week (below) was a Prestige model, so it lacked the extra toys that come with the Lux pack (which I'd be going for). I found the ride acceptable (no more) on the standard 19" wheels, so I wouldn't go any larger than that.

Given the recent weather I had the opportunity to take it down some snow/sludge-covered lanes and it coped faultlessly.

 

[MOCAŠ]

You and I don't agree on a lot Mocas, but I do think it would be a nice car for you. Lofty driving position handy for around town and its got loads of badge appeal thats ideal for southerers.

I did poke around one and felt it was poorly made in some areas but was nicely trimmed and spacious enough in a way a C class estate is spacious enough. I'd rather have one of those over any other of Land Rovers cars, its the least Land Rovery of them.

You may recall I had a Range Rover Vogue for a couple of days last year, and while I loved that too, it was just a too big for my needs (and for London). The Evoque seems to capture the essence of Range Rover in a more sensibly-sized form (although I still think it's too wide).

As for badge appeal, you're talking to a Škoda owner here!

Which areas did you find to be poorly made, ***?

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Is it only me that thinks they are vastly overpriced?

I think the Yeti is a far more honest and likeable vehicle. The Evoque most definately is not a Range Rover.

But, all that being said, I can see why people fall for them.

 

[st4]

Which areas did you find to be poorly made, ***?

The seat leather, some trim lower down, the pedal area and the wheel arch liners.

Nice looking car, I just feel for £40k you should get more than a 4 clyinder engine too

Ps where was the 1st pic taken, I feel I recognise the place but cannot place my finger on it

 

[MOCAŠ]

Is it only me that thinks they are vastly overpriced?

I think the Yeti is a far more honest and likeable vehicle. The Evoque most definately is not a Range Rover.

But, all that being said, I can see why people fall for them.

I thought I really wanted a Yeti. After all, it was a natural progression from the Fabia, and the 1.2 with DSG is a compelling combination. But it's let down by its interior - they don't do a Laurin + Klement version, so the dashboard is massive chunk of black/grey plastic, relieved only by some aluminium-coloured plastic detailing, and the leather used on the seats feels cheap compared to that used in the Evoque. It's this sort of thing that I was trying to get away from in the Fabia.

With options, the Yeti's list price came to £25,000, yet there's a whole list of stuff that's standard on the Evoque that's not even available on the Yeti, such as iPod integration, electric tailgate, keyless entry/go, surround cameras, Meridian sound system, electric adjustment for the passenger seat (driver-only in the Yeti).

OK, I could make some sacrifices, but the thing that mainly turned me off the Yeti is the fact that it looks so slab-sided from the rear. I can't help feeling it looks like a van with windows, whereas the Evoque has a great deal more presence.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

I think that a Range Rover is being considered as an alternative to a Skoda says it all.

It shows just how good the Skoda is, I think it is a bit of a hero, a truly well designed car which hits the mark absolutely correctly.

I think the Range Rover, as nice and jewel like as it is, really is a step too far, it's a Land Rover in drag, whereas the Skoda is an Audi in drag.

Is a 1.2 dsg Yeti 4x4?

I think that as a everyday cheap to run car, the 4x4 TDI Yeti is great.

Jesus, I am really getting old, extolling the virtues of a diesel Skoda....

I own a real Range Rover so am biased as to what makes a Range Rover a Range Rover, even in the face of a changing world and green credentials.

 

[MOCAŠ]

The seat leather, some trim lower down, the pedal area and the wheel arch liners.

Nice looking car, I just feel for £40k you should get more than a 4 clyinder engine too

The Oxford seat leather in Prestige trim is fine - certainly in a different league to that in the SLK. Admittedly the leather runs out when you get to the lower dash, but that can be sorted. Didn't notice anything amiss about the pedal area or wheel arch liners, but I may take another look.

I wish they did the Prestige with a petrol V6, or any petrol engine, but they don't, but given the refinement of the diesel engine it's a compromise I'd be prepared to make.

Ps where was the 1st pic taken, I feel I recognise the place but cannot place my finger on it

Chalfont St Giles.

 

[MOCAŠ]

I think that a Range Rover is being considered as an alternative to a Skoda says it all.

It shows just how good the Skoda is, I think it is a bit of a hero, a truly well designed car which hits the mark absolutely correctly.

Well, it says more about my weird decision-making process. If I could drive around blindfolded, I'd buy a Yeti. As mentioned, I was genuinely impressed with how it drove, but not so much with how it looks. If I was going to spend upwards of £25,000 on a Skoda, I'd want it to be trimmed better than it was. Despite all the equipment you can throw at it, it still feels like a £10,000 Fabia inside, and that was a big disappointment.

Is a 1.2 dsg Yeti 4x4?

No - 2wd only, which is another disappointment, given how much I liked the engine/gearbox combination.

I own a real Range Rover so am biased as to what makes a Range Rover a Range Rover, even in the face of a changing world and green credentials.

I have a great deal of respect for the original (and current Range Rover). I've never liked the RR Sport, but to me the Evoque feels different - like a proper Range Rover in a smaller shell. But I accept it won't please the traditionalists.

 

[buccal]

We have one arriving tomorrow, will keep you updated!