Trend setter’s subtle progress

Road test - Range Rover Evoque A familiar outward appearance hides major changes beneath the skin

The Range Rover Evoque has always been a bit of an opinion-splitter. To hardcore Land Rover enthusiasts it’s a trinket aimed at metropolitan types. But to newcomers it’ s a more accessible, more desirable model than the mud-pluggers of old.

And it’s that latter segment who have made the Evoque a resounding success and ensured it has made it to a second generation.

It’s not immediately obvious that this is a ground-up new car. The shape is instantly recognisable. But there are changes. Perhaps the most obvious are the pop-out door handles, a la Velar. Also new are those squinty headlights - all LED this time - new front air intakes, slimmer tail lights and a more sculpted tailgate.

The interior changes are more apparent. The rotary gear selector has been replaced with a Jaguar F-Typestyle pistol grip, altering the whole central console. And there is a new touchscreen setup. In basic cars this is a single 10-inch screen but in our test car it included the Touch Pro Duo. Here, the upper screen handles the major media, communication and navigation elements while the large lower screen controls heating and ventilation functions plus the Evoque’s off-road settings.

Like its predecessor, the new Evoque has a chunky, cosseting vibe that seems to wrap around its occupants. Front passengers will be instantly comfortable but, even for the class, rear space is tight and visibility restricted by the chunky pillars. The new Evoque offers petrol and diesel engines ranging from a148bhp diesel to a 238bhp turbo petrol. Our test car was a 178bhp, 317lb ft four-cylinder diesel. On the road that massive well of torque is instantly apparent, offering plenty of shove through the eight-speed transmission. At a cruise the slight diesel rattle all but vanishes.

Unfortunately, the ride isn’ t so serene. Possibly partly due to our car’s 20- inch alloys,progress is harsh over broken road surfaces. Yet at the same time, the Evoque lacks body control. Obviously, this is an SUV not a sports car but rivals remain more composed. By and large, though, those rivals won’t offer the Evoque’s off-road abilities. As usual, Range Rover has equipped the Evoque to be capable far beyond anything most users will ask.

The entry level Evoque S starts at around £40,000 and our car had a modest £2,000 worth of options. I’d do without the big alloys but the £315 ClearSight mirror is a must. Using a roof-mounted camera, this turns the rear view mirror into a display screen, giving a clear view behind even when you’ve got three rear passengers or are towing.

Aside from that, equipment is what you’d expect. Heated 10-way adjustable seats, dual-zone climate control and leather upholstery are standard, as is internet connectivity, smartphone mirroring, navigation, cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist.

The Evoque remains a solid player in the class it helped invent.