Traditionally Jaguar Land Roverr’s most popular model, the Range Rover Evoque is set to receive some tweaks to keep it near the top of the mid-size premium SUV sector and we’ve caught the updated model testing for the first time.
The current second-generation Evoque was launched in 2019, although we suspect this test car is a 2024 model year update, rather than a full-on facelift. The design beneath the camouflage doesn’t look too far removed from that of the outgoing car.
The front end still features the same sleek headlights feeding into the thin grille – although we could see a new LED design. The lower part of the front bumper also looks unchanged but the side air intakes seem less pronounced in the images.
Flush-fitting door handles, aggressive wheel haunches and a tapered roofline continue to give the Evoque a sporty side profile. It looks like the thin rear light cluster will be retained, potentially with fresh design details but the bottom part of the rear bumper looks new – doing away with the diffuser-look of the current model’s.
A notable element on this test car are the two flaps in the bodywork, suggesting it’s the plug-in hybrid model. The existing Evoque P300e plug-in hybrid mates a 197bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels, with a rear axle powered by a 12.2kWh battery for a combined 305bhp. The Evoque PHEV manages 39 miles on electric power alone, which is a little way off the new BMW X1 xDrive30e’s 55 miles and the newly updated Mercedes GLA 250e’s 44 miles.
We’ll wait and see if Range Rover has unlocked some more pure-electric range. The Evoque plug-in would certainly appeal more strongly to company car buyers if it could go over 40 miles – reducing BiK tax rates from 12 to 8 per cent.
Since the current Evoque launched we’ve seen new versions of the full-size Range Rover and Range Rover Sport come out with updated iterations of JLR’s Pivi Pro infotainment system. We don’t expect those cars’ 13.1-inch screen to replace the Evoque’s 10-inch unit but some new software features will surely be added.
The Evoque’s £34,070 starting price is likely to increase with this update and we expect the new car to hit the UK market later this year.
Now read more about Jaguar Land Rover’s plans for an all-electric future…