Range Rover Evoque P300E

The first plug-in Evoque is impeccable tuned to a demanding segment, as Alex Grant explains.

- Alex Grant

The Evoque got off to a good start in 2011, but staying ahead of a fashionable segment isn’t easy. Version one aged well visually, but the premium crossover segment has become crowded, expectations of onboard technology have increased exponentially, and the desire for diesel engines has waned. Version two has its work cut out.

This isn’t just about aesthetics. The silhouette has barely changed despite the streamlined Velar-like bodywork, but there are big changes underneath. Its plushly-trimmed cabin and double-deck touchscreen system finally gives it the luxurious feel of a proper Range Rover, there’s a marked increase in rear legroom and boot space, and you no longer have to choose between bearable ride quality and appropriately large wheels. Those bulky arches take some filling, after all.