Overall rating
Range Rover Evoque Convertible review
Roof-down driving is brilliant fun in summer
March 2016
Likes:
- Roof-down driving is brilliant fun in summer
- The 4x4 system feels unstoppable off-road
- Engines and handling are more than adequate
- Interior is well-equipped and comfortable
Gripes:
- Only four seats and a compromised boot
- Non-4x4 convertibles can be bought for much less
- Noisy diesel engine takes the edge off the convertible experience
- Exterior design takes some getting used to
A convertible was always part of the Evoque's future. From the very first concept sketches, Land Rover was committed to bringing back some sort of open-top motoring - a throwback, in a way, to the canvas roof of decades past. Company bosses hope that buyers choosing an Evoque will seriously consider picking the convertible.
The Evoque has been a huge success for Land Rover. Half a million sales in five years silenced the model's critics, who sneered at its tub-like proportions and supposedly ostentatious design language. While Land Rover is better-known for its Defender and 'proper' Range Rover products, innovation in other market segments is essential for the brand.
And a premium convertible SUV is very much an innovation. Land Rover has identified our current fascination with SUVs as a key opportunity to launch the Evoque Convertible - the kind of car that hasn't ever been mass-produced. With an asking price of around GBP50,000, an utterly brilliant 4x4 system, and a fabric roof, this really is something new.
Externally, the Evoque Convertible looks very similar to its hard-top counterpart. The roofline is virtually the same, giving the car that same hunched silhouette. It's on the inside that the changes are most noticeable - namely the removal of one seat in the rear, making this a four-seater. Boot space has been compromised by the roof mechanism, too.
The unsung highlight of the Evoque has always been its four-wheel-drive capability. The Convertible has a seriously impressive amount of electronically-aided traction when driving off road, making it one of the most convincing 4x4s currently on sale. Despite its looks, this is a capable utility vehicle when it needs to be.
The Evoque has been a huge success for Land Rover. Half a million sales in five years silenced the model's critics, who sneered at its tub-like proportions and supposedly ostentatious design language. While Land Rover is better-known for its Defender and 'proper' Range Rover products, innovation in other market segments is essential for the brand.
And a premium convertible SUV is very much an innovation. Land Rover has identified our current fascination with SUVs as a key opportunity to launch the Evoque Convertible - the kind of car that hasn't ever been mass-produced. With an asking price of around GBP50,000, an utterly brilliant 4x4 system, and a fabric roof, this really is something new.
Externally, the Evoque Convertible looks very similar to its hard-top counterpart. The roofline is virtually the same, giving the car that same hunched silhouette. It's on the inside that the changes are most noticeable - namely the removal of one seat in the rear, making this a four-seater. Boot space has been compromised by the roof mechanism, too.
The unsung highlight of the Evoque has always been its four-wheel-drive capability. The Convertible has a seriously impressive amount of electronically-aided traction when driving off road, making it one of the most convincing 4x4s currently on sale. Despite its looks, this is a capable utility vehicle when it needs to be.