2013 Range Rover Evoque: Let it snow!

When you test drive an SUV in summer, the chances of being able to put the all-wheel drive to the test are relatively slim. We tried in vain to find a back road in poor condition or an abandoned field.

Indeed, most people who buy this type of vehicle do so simply to brave the winter. Snow, ice and slippery roads are a nightmare for motorists and driving a four-wheel drive helps them come away unscathed. One winter storm seen from behind the wheel of one of these vehicles is all it takes to convince you of their usefulness.

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During my first test drive of the Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover had us climb to the summit of Blackcomb Peak in British Columbia to demonstrate to us its generous ground clearance, the efficiency of its all-wheel drive and to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the primarily urban model has the same DNA as the brand’s other vehicles. But of course, we weren’t able to learn about the winter benefits of the Terrain Response all-wheel drive system that can be adjusted according to road conditions. With the simple touch of a keypad located on the central console, you can choose from four settings: Normal, Snow, Sand and Mud.

Fortunately, during a second test drive at the beginning of December, I was finally able to test the Evoque’s efficiency in the snow.

Let’s recap

This model was designed in response to the competition, which, over the last few years, put luxury mid-size SUVs aimed at urban drivers on the market. Although the British manufacturer Land Rover Range Rover enjoys an enviable reputation for all-terrain vehicles, it didn’t have a compact, slightly more urban model in its line-up.

With its unique silhouette and uncluttered dashboard design, the Evoque really stands out from the rest of the Range Rovers and this disregard for conservatism has produced positive results. Since its arrival on the market, this SUV has received favorable comments and I am among those who applauded the British auto maker’s boldness. Moreover, it’s one of the rare models out there that can be ordered in two- or four-door versions. My test vehicle had only two doors.

To offer a sophisticated but competitively priced vehicle, the engineers used the Land Rover LR2’s platform, which is derived from the Ford Mondeo. Don’t forget that for several years Land Rover was owned by Ford. That explains why there’s a Ford engine under the hood, too. This 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo produces 240 horsepower and uses the same technology that the Dearborn-based manufacturer applies to its EcoBoost engines. It’s paired with an automatic gearbox controlled by a button located on the console, like recent Jaguars.
In addition to having an ultra-modern shape, the Evoque has an understated passenger compartment with high quality materials and finish. Furthermore, the buttons and commands are accessible and you won’t have to study the owner’s manual: everything is intuitive and easy to use. However, personally, it took me a couple of days to get used to the button that controls the gearbox.
Because of the sloping roof and the fact that it had but two doors, a certain amount of flexibility is required to get into the back seat. But once inside, it’s very comfortable. On the other hand, with passengers seated in back, the driver has to rely solely on large (fortunately) exterior rearview mirrors.

Snow on the ground? No sweat!

I was delighted at this year’s first snowfall as it was going to give me the chance to test out the all-wheel drive and specifically its Snow mode.
After starting the engine and putting the Terrain Response system in Snow mode, I set out on the snowy road. I must admit that the system is efficient and reaction is almost instant. Next, I headed for a snowy field and the vehicle took it on without any problems, the traction was still efficient and the ground clearance was sufficient.

Nonetheless, during the first the day of this test drive, I noticed that the engine seemed to lack pep in certain gears. The problem corrected itself once I filled up with super.

Overall, this brief winter test drive allowed me to test the Evoque in various conditions and to engage all the settings offered by the Terrain Response system. The Evoque isn’t a dyed-in-the-wool all-terrain vehicle. Rather, it targets mainly city-dwellers that like to escape to the country from time to time or who own a chalet in the areas surrounding large cities. These people will appreciate this model’s relatively sporty handling, but they won’t be caught off guard when the driving conditions become more challenging. Now let’s just hope that it will be reliable.