2012 Range Rover Evoque - Fuji white 5 door

[JackMac]

After 7 years with a 2005 LR3 HSE7, it was recently traded for a 2012 Range Rover Evoque Prestige 5 door. The LR3 was very good to us for most of its 91k miles, but the time had come to move on.

Decided to downsize this time. This RRE is my wife's car. We cross shopped the BMW X3 and X5, Audi Q5, and a few others. The Evoque was at the top of the short list from the initial launch last Fall. An LR4 would have been nice, but we decided to shed 2000 lbs and 4 cylinders and selected the Evoque.

Only put 300 miles on it so far, and have a trip through 4 states planned next week during our son's Spring break. This one will be more of a road warrior than a trail monster. Had a 3M clear bra installed, and did a DIY installation of roof rails and cross bars over the weekend. The LR3 has 42 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 2nd row compared to less than 21 in the Evoque, so additional carrying capacity is needed.

Will post up some pics in the coming days and weeks.

 

[sapperbreach]

Pics please

 

[Count Laszlo]

Updates please

 

[JackMac]

Sorry, been crazy busy with work, travel, etc. Will get some pics up soon. The recent road trip went well. No issues at all.

A few initial thoughts, now that it has over 1200 miles.

• Fuel economy is far better than our old LR3, but still a little low at approx 23 mpg.
• Each trip to refuel often leads to a conversation with others while at the pump. Most common question is "how do you like it?"
• Lots of positive comments on the "Spirit" interior too (mix of ivory, expresso, and tan leathers)
• Only saw 1 other RRE on the road so far, so still very exclusive
• Finally settled in with the smaller size, and enjoy the improved engine/braking response and overall handling

A few complaints, nothing major:

• Rear and side visibility are both very compromised due to the design. Helps to check twice before changing lanes, or when parking, taking tight corners, etc
• Front seat bottom bolsters are too narrow, and can become uncomfortable with extended seat time. This may be unique to the Prestige interior, not sure
• Lack of interior grab handles. Cost cutting or coming later?
• Lack of key memory (i.e. individial keys do not activate seat memory, radio presets, mirror position) Why? It is just software and our 2005 LR3 had this feature for seats/mirrors.

Still very happy with the decision, and would do it again.

 

[toddjb122]

Okay, it's been 6 months.

How do you like it now?

Have you had it offroad or in any compromised terrain (mud, sand, any road that would stop a typical wagon?)

Thanks!

 

[JackMac]

Update: We've had the RRE for 10K miles now. This is my wife's daily driver, so my seat time is limited. Have not seen snow or offroad conditions yet.

Maintenance and Issues: Just had the first oil change done today. The only issue so far was a loose passenger door check, which was easily fixed at home with a few turns of a socket wrench. No other issues to report.

Travel: Over the summer we took several trips to the beach as well as to Washington DC. The lack of space is occasionally a challenge, especially compared to the LR3. For one trip we utilized the roof rack pictured below. In the end, we've been able to fit everything needed.

We are heading out on a 1000 mile road trip over the Thanksgiving holiday, with 4 adults and 1 growing child. This will be a good test, and our longest drive to date.

 

[alexcorral]

How did the trip go?

How's the RRE been as a daily driver?

We'll move to CT soon and am planning to get an LR4 and a RRE. The RRE will be a daily driver and not for road trips. That's what the LR4 is for