First Drive: Range Rover Evoque Prestige

“It looks like it’s been squashed. But, you know, in a good way…”

Well, of course. What other way would I take it? It’s the most common response from observers who try to encapsulate the Range Rover Evoque’s unique design, as they fumble through their vocabulary. It gets an overwhelmingly positive response, though putting it into words can be quite difficult.

Is it good looking? Yes. Is it contemporary? Undoubtedly. Is it unusual? For sure.

Okay, so the design is a winner – Gerry McGovern deserves a big pat on the back for this one. Only in the metal does its concept-car-came-to-life styling really fully make an impact, but how is it as a vehicle?

Well, it’s safe to say it could have had a better start. It’s based on the Land Rover LR2 (the two vehicles share engines, gearboxes and underpinnings, even sharing the same wheelbase), which is not the greatest car in terms of ride, or interior fit and finish – the LR2’s tacked on satnav is the greatest evidence of this. The Evoque, then, has a fair way to go to become impressive.