The Range Rover Evoque drew heavily on style as a selling point, but also possesses the substance to back it up
If you want a compact SUV that looks great and makes you feel good when you drive it, the ultra-chic first-generation Range Rover Evoque is a hard car to overlook – and more so when you can pick one up for just £3000.Indeed, the swish and swanky Evoque hit the ground running in 2011, with modern styling that was a faithful translation of the striking LRX concept unveiled at the Detroit motor show almost 20 years ago.The Evoque racked up more than 800,000 sales worldwide before Jaguar Land Rover rolled out the second-generation model in 2018, and plenty of first-generation cars of varying age, mileage and price have filtered into the classifieds.Fashion-focused buyers are likely to be tempted by this cut-price baby Range Rover. If you’re looking for one at a bargain price, you will probably end up with a diesel, because they dominate used car buying sites.The 2.2-litre diesel was offered in two states of tune, but while the front-wheel-drive eD4 and four-wheel-drive TD4 produced only 147bhp, they’re not as staid as you might expect compared with the 187bhp SD4, which came with four-wheel drive as standard.The SD4 has a wider breadth of capabilities and is more competent both on the road and off it: that four-wheel drive might come in handy when you drop the kids off at a muddy football field, but for daily jaunts the eD4 is fine.Even with 40bhp more, the SD4 only feels much faster when overtaking or pressing on uphill, but at the same time it’s about as economical as the lower-powered eD4.Waving the petrol flag is the 237bhp turbocharged four-pot Si4, which is smooth but rather thirsty. One of the oil-burners will serve you better if you’re doing big miles.Aim for a post-2014 Evoque, too, because then you will also get the benefit of the slicker and more economical ZF nine-speed automatic gearbox.It’s smoother than the early six-speeder and, with its low first gear, it’s far more sophisticated when you’re towing or venturing off road.Indeed, off-roading in an Evoque might feel a bit like running a Tough Mudder endurance race in a tuxedo, but don’t let its suave looks deter you.It’s fitted with Land Rover’s familiar Terrain Response system, which has modes for mud, snow and ruts to help it perform far better than its rivals off the beaten track. Its approach and departure angles are impressive, too, and it can even wade through 500mm of water.A facelift in 2015 brought styling and interior revisions, but the biggest change was the introduction of JLR’s Ingenium engines.The 2.0-litre diesel unit, this time offered in 147bhp TD4 and 177bhp SD4 forms, was punchier, cleaner and more economical than its 2.2-litre predecessor but also far less reliable.Faulty diesel particulate filters can lead to oil dilution and engine damage, and the weak timing chain can lead to all manner of issues. If you’re taken by the post-2015 car’s sharper looks, a petrol will serve you better: you can have a potent 285bhp version or the 237bhp Si4.Predictably, the Evoque is upmarket-feeling inside. The trims are endless (confusing, too), so keep it simple and aim for a Pure Tech, which gets a neat 8.0in infotainment screen, cruise control and trailer assist.Pure Plus is pretty good value for money, with its powered tailgate, leather upholstery and 19in alloy wheels.Later cars have a slightly bigger 10.2in screen, and from 2016 you could even buy a soft-top convertible version. Three-door Evoques look even more swish, but we would stick with the five-door for its roomier cabin and better visibility.
