Land Rover is already a very prestigious brand, but if you want to look important in a wealthy area like Beverly Hills, you need to drive a Range Rover. In the past, owning a brand-new Range Rover was an elite privilege (while the slightly less elite could afford the smaller Range Rover Sport). Then, in 2011, Land Rover decided it wanted to make the Range Rover more attainable with an entry-level model known as the Evoque.

The first-generation Range Rover Evoque lasted from the 2012 model year until 2019 and was recently been replaced by an all-new 2020 model. A 2020 Evoque will set you back at least $42,000 but for less than half as much, you can now buy a used first-generation model. Now you can look like a baller without breaking the bank.

Why You Should Buy One

The Range Rover Evoque was the first model to usher in a new design language for Land Rover. Before this, Range Rovers had a boxy, squared-off look - this brought them into the future. Aside from looking pretty, the Evoque was by the far the most economical Range Rover model without a massive V6 or V8 engine up front and less curb weight to haul around.

For the first time ever, it was actually affordable to own a brand-new Range Rover and thanks to depreciation, the honor can now be yours for less than the price of a new Toyota RAV4. This was also one of the lone SUVs to be sold as a two-door in the past decade and there was even a convertible model, which was much better looking than its only competitor, the Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet.

The Price

If you are willing to look at an example with over 100,000 miles, used Evoque prices now start at around $15,000. Given that these are European luxury SUVs with the associated upkeep, it might be in your best interest to spend a bit more to get one with lower mileage. For less than $20,000, most of the used examples we found still had under 50,000 miles on the odometer. The Coupe is a bit harder to find, given Land Rover didn't sell as many of them - though they can still be found under $20,000. The Convertible, having only been introduced later in 2017, still commands around $40,000 on the used market.

In our opinion, the best way to purchase a used Evoque is to get a certified pre-owned warranty. Land Rover's CPO warranty includes seven years from the manufacture date or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). CPO examples can be found in the low-$20,000 range but if you spend more on a newer example with less mileage, the warranty will last longer.

The Performance

If the Evoque does have an Achilles heel, it's under the hood. In the US market, the Evoque was only sold with a single engine option - a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed automatic, which was later replaced by a nine-speed. The Evoque could tow up to 3,500 pounds and achieved up to 21/30mpg city/highway. 0-60 mph took a leisurely 7.4 seconds, meaning it won't win any drag races against a V8-powered Range Rover. This may be the baby Range Rover, but it still included class-leading off-road capability with Land Rover's Terrain Response system.

The Interior

By 2019 standards, the Evoque's interior is nothing to gawk at. The design is pleasant but the smallish screen looks dated compared to recent touchscreens from Land Rover and other manufacturers. Since this was the entry-level Range Rover, the materials weren't quite up to the levels found in larger Range Rover models and some used examples haven't shown the best wear. Don't expect the latest driver assistance technologies but if the best hits of 2012 technology are enough for you, the Evoque will be just fine.

The Practical Stuff

So long as you don't get the convertible, which only seats four and offers just 8.9 cubic feet of storage, the Evoque is a pretty practical SUV. The normal Evoque offers 20.3 cubic feet of storage, which expands to 51 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Headroom in the back seat is a bit tight due to the Evoque's coupe-like roofline but it should be fine for shorter passengers.

Verdict

The Range Rover Evoque is far from perfect but for less than the price of a humdrum, mainstream crossover, it offers an insane amount of style and prestige. We even like the convertible model, which offers a unique driving experience unlike almost any other vehicle on sale. Just make sure to find one with a CPO warranty and the Evoque will have you looking rich without breaking the bank.