Evoque - the ultimate 'toff-roader'

Not your usual paint scheme, but the Evoque has all you want - and more.

Not being much of a fan of SUV, MPV and station-wagon types I was not quite sure...Loved its styling but wasn't convinced its flamboyant flashiness was really worth its eye-watering price. The Evoque is, after all, just a Land Rover Freelander 2 in drag, isn't it?

Clearly not. In fact, it is much more than a show-off car for WAGS, rappers, gangstas and perlemoen smugglers, judging by its impressive list of international accolades and awards. There is hardly a country, motoring journal or website that hasn't heaped praise on this rather outlandish Range Rover and I, too have to confess that I have been charmed by it. After spending a week with the Evoque, I am smitten and driven to drooling desire to own one. Quite frankly it is one of the sexiest vehicles I have driven for a long time.

You're in another world... for a second

From the moment you slide into the elegantly leathered cabin all thoughts of Land Rover simply vanishes and other SUV's pale by comparison. The elegant interior simply oozes upmarket plushness - from the Jaguar-like gear knob that rises from the centre console when the engine is started to the glitzy instrument layout and touch-sensitive mood lighting, the touch-screen media interface and its darkened sunroof, which runs the length of the cabin, its wall-to-wall Platinum Class.

That's more like it - just what you need for cruising through traffic and past as many bystanders as you can.

Our test car was the 2.0-litre petrol version, which produces a healthy 177kW and 340Nm, which is lively, even in standard mode. Click it into S (for Sport) mode, flick the steering wheel F1 paddles through the smooth six-speed auto box and the Evoque is happy to show its playful side. But even left alone to do its own thing the transmission seems quite intuitive and goes about its business quietly and rapidly without any searching or dip-and-surge cog-swapping pauses.

Even though this small SUV with the big presence is never going to be an asphalt-shredder, it will do the zero to 100km/h sprint in less than nine seconds and trot on to a way pass legal top speed with ease.

With just a click of dial on the centre console the driver can also adjust the car's setup for sand, snow and other conditions. I didn't have the opportunity to take it on to the dirt but colleagues who have say it is more than capable on uneven surfaces even though its ride height and overhangs are never going to cope over real bad-ass terrain. Not that many Evoque owners will want to take their cuties into the bush and risk scratching its gleaming bodywork or permanently scarring its nether regions.

One for the high road

This is a "toff-roader", after all, made for posing and pavement parking, cruising and coffee shop bragging, not a blue-bearded, two-tone khaki shirt off-roader in vellies.

Where you are not likely to find an Evoque, though it is capable of handling the rough stuff.

With its gleaming over-sized alloys and mean machine looks the Evoque is an almost perfect combination of sporty elegance, stand-out styling, fancy modern technology, easy commuting and extremely comfortable long-distance cruiser.

Having said that, like every other vehicle ever built, the Evoque is not quite perfect... The narrow windows and raised back seat hamper visibility, its electronic interface is a tad over-complicated when it comes to settings and adjustments for connectivity, navigation, and radio, and the electric power-steering system is too sensitive for my liking, except when parking, although Her Majesty likes it.

But really, these are mere minor mutters and does very little to distract from what is an outstanding vehicle and although I never thought I would ever say so, this SUV range is well worth its price tags which vary from R582 995 to R605 995 - especially if you compare it to the Queen's favourite, the 'ordinary' Range Rover, where prices start at R887 995 and gallop all the way to R1 314 995.

Specifications and features

More images and videos

Range Rover Evoque - Top Gear - BBC

RoadflyTV - 2012 Range Rover Evoque