2021 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

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.

The mild-hybrid 296-hp P300 model has been dropped from the Range Rover Evoque SUV range, so no MHEV models are left for the 2021 model year. Only a single drivetrain option remains - a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 gas engine with 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque sending its power to an all-wheel-drive system via a 9-speed automatic transmission.

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 2021 Range Rover Evoque price list starts at $43,300 for the P250 S, but it's the $48,000 P250 SE that you really want. It adds all the desirable features the S misses out on, such as the twin ten-inch screens, better LED headlights, 20-inch wheels, a power liftgate, wade sensing, and several more driver-assistance features. If you don't mind the stiff ride, it represents the best value in the range. You can add adaptive cruise control and still come out under $50,000. On the other hand, if the budget stretches to $53,400, the R-Dynamic HSE does offer more equipment than the extra money it asks for.