Road Test: Alluring Range Rover Evoque

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. While a base... — The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. While a base model (called Pure) starts at $43,995, prepare to spend up to $60,000 for a fully loaded version. Credit: Handout

By DAVID UNDERCOFFLER. Los Angeles TimesDecember 28, 2011

If the parking lot were high school, the all-new Range Rover Evoque would throw the best parties and vacation in places we mispronounce.

It would be cooler than us.

This is to be expected, given that the Evoque has the looks and the pedigree to make a member of any royal family jealous. Yet, anyone who carries himself with a calculated air of indifference has insecurities lurking within. The Evoque is no different.

This compact sport utility vehicle is an all-new product for Land Rover, the once-British automaker now owned by Indian manufacturer Tata Motors yet still making its cars in Britain. The Evoque is available in coupe or four-door models, both with all-wheel drive. While a base Evoque model (called Pure) starts at $43,995, prepare to spend up to $60,000 for a fully loaded version.

Good thing, then, that the Evoque is a very good-looking hunk of metal.

The large wheels (20-inchers on my tester) have been pushed to the corners, and the front and rear bumpers are artfully integrated into the body. The grille is compact and rectangular, flanked by bold and narrow headlamps.

The result is a taut, athletic stance that draws lavish stares and regular second glances.

The highlight of the interior was the massive panoramic glass roof, which doesn't open. Standard on all Evoques, it brightens what might otherwise be a dark cabin, though its splendor is best enjoyed from the back seats.

Soft leather covers seating for five, though four adults ride best and with plenty of space. My tester also had such uber-premium features as a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, blind-spot monitoring and heated front seats and steering wheel.

The trunk is the sacrificial lamb to passengers' comfort, among the smallest in the segment. It's big enough for a weekend getaway for four, perhaps, but pack light if a longer road trip is on the agenda.

At the front the cabin, the dashboard features a recessed touch screen controlling the navigation and stereo system. Below, a large round dial rises out of the console when the Evoque is turned on. This is your transmission gear shifter.

Unfortunately, the six-speed automatic transmission that the dial controls isn't as slick. It's neither quick to shift nor smooth in doing so. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters are standard, as is a sport mode. Using either of the two alleviates the problem to a degree.

The negligent transmission isn't the only demerit the Evoque earns. The navigation system is ornery, slow and seems a generation behind those of competitors. Rear visibility is in the neighborhood of scant.