Land Rover has launched a special, limited edition variant of its most popular entry-level baby Land Rover SUV called the Range Rover Evoque Landmark Edition in India. This crossover celebrates 6 years of Evoque in India. However, the original Evoque was launched nearly 8 years ago.
Exteriors - The Range Rover Evoque is still a very good looking car. The Moraine Blue, Yulong White and Corris Grey color schemes for this edition make it look even more special. The grille, bonnet, fenders and the tailgate are all finished in Graphite Atlas finish. The car also gets gloss black alloy wheels and chrome exhaust pipes. The Evoque still grabs a lot of attention on the road all thanks to its handsome and proportionate looks.
Interiors - There are small changes to the interiors as well. The entire cabin is finished in Ebony Black finish along with brushed aluminum inserts on the center console. The 8-inch infotainment system is smooth to operate. The instrument console has 2 pods and a large multi-information display in between. The car also gets an 8-speaker Sound System from Land Rover which has decent audio quality, but not on par to the Meridian Surround System which is available in higher variants. There is a good amount of space at the front, however, the rear seat feels cramped.
This variant of the Evoque is well loaded. It gets a panoramic roof, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, 12-way adjustable front seats, ambient lighting, push-button start, and a rear-view camera. It also comes with features such as automatic Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, and a powered tailgate.
Performance - This special edition Evoque is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 177 HP and 430 Nm of torque. The engine is very refined and has a good punch in the low and mid ranges. However, at the top end, this engine not only lacks punch but also gets very vocal. If you're adventurous enough you can even take this car off-road.
This engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission from ZF. This gearbox has fluid shifts. One can also take manual control of the gearbox with the help of the steering mounted paddle shifters. There is also a sports mode on offer if you want some more performance. 0-100 km/hr takes 9.1 seconds. Fuel efficiency is decent, expect a mileage of 11-13 km/l.
Driving Dynamics - The suspension is set up to be on the stiffer side, just like all the Evoques. The car handles great with the minimal amount of body roll. You can feel the weight of the car when pushing it into corners, however, this car is meant for cruising comfortably rather than handle like a sports car. The brakes offer good feel and so does the steering. The Evoque has always been a fun SUV to drive with its balanced ride and handling characteristics.
Safety and After Sales Service - The Landmark Edition of the Range Rover Evoque gets a good amount of safety tech. Starting with multiple airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, Hill Descent Control, Dynamic Stability Control, and Traction Control. You also get ISOFIX child seat mounts and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Coming to the after-sales service, Land Rover has a decent service network.
Verdict - If you're in the market for a Range Rover Evoque, the Landmark Edition offers good value for the number of features it offers. However since it is based on the SE trim, you do miss out on certain feature comforts which the higher variants get. If you can wait, Land Rover will also be launching the second generation Evoque in India soon, as the first generation Evoque is at the end of its life-cycle.
