The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has landed in the US with relatively few changes, after undergoing a redesign for the 2020 model year. The previous generation of the compact luxury crossover was extremely successful and, instead of meddling with a winning recipe, Land Rover has refined and improved the new model. The original sold more than three-quarters of a million units in eight years after making it from the sensational 2008 LRX show car to production nearly unchanged. It even spawned a convertible model in 2017.
As you'll see in this review, in its second year on the market, some of the irritations we complained about last year have been addressed to allow the Evoque to better compete with excellent CUV rivals such as the Audi Q2, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and BMW X2. There's just a single 246-horsepower engine but it delivers decent performance. The Evoque banks on style, not space, but considering its looks, few buyers would care, and it puts up a good fight.
For the 2021 Range Rover Evoque SUV range, the 296-hp mild-hybrid-assisted version of the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has been dropped from the range. There wasn't much of a performance advantage, with the 246-hp engine being more than capable of powering the small body.
Land Rover also seems intent on keeping the new Evoque as up to date as possible. It's just a year old but has already received an infotainment update. All Evoques are now equipped with Land Rover's new Pivi Pro interface, which is easier to use and comes with more functionality. This new system allows for over-the-air updates, for example. New optional packages include an Online Pack with wireless charging, Spotify and a Wi-Fi hotspot, while a rear collision monitor has also become available.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P250 S |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$43,300 |
| P300 R-Dynamic S |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$44,900 |
| P250 SE |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$48,000 |
| P300 R-Dynamic SE |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$49,600 |
| P300 R-Dynamic HSE |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$53,400 |
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
There is a lot to like about the 2021 Range Rover Evoque, not least of all its striking styling and beautiful interior, as well as its excellent blend of on-road dynamics, actual off-road ability, and near-4,000-pound towing capacity. The latest infotainment system is also much improved, especially with the available twin ten-inch screens. However, the competition is strong in this class, and the drivetrain only offers average performance and below-average fuel consumption.
The lovely ride/handling balance is spoiled a little on the firm-riding models, with their 20-inch wheels, and a BMW X2 with less power offers better performance and far better fuel economy. The Evoque's reliability is below average, too, although once the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is put to review by the NHTSA and IIHS, its safety rating should prove to be good. With its looks, generous tally of standard driver-assistance and luxury features, and above-average off-road ability, owners will love it. It's just not necessarily the best vehicle in its class.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo