2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible
The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible stands out as the only convertible premium crossover on the market.
Stylistically speaking
Stretching just 172 inches long, the Evoque is the smallest, lightest, and most efficient member of the Land Rover lineup. It also boasts a much more aggressive shape than any Land Rover before it.
The Convertible is nearly identical to the now-defunct Evoque Coupe from the rocker panels up to the belt line. Above that, it's fitted with a power-operated cloth soft top that retracts at the push of a button in 18 seconds at speeds of up to 30 mph.
Designed by Webasto, the cloth soft top is exclusively available in Ebony Black. It neatly folds into a compartment located right above the cargo compartment, and aluminum roll bars integrated into the quarter panels pop up in 90 milliseconds in the event of a rollover.
Life aboard
Inside, the squared off, symmetrical dashboard theme isn't unlike that found on the bigger Range Rover. Textured aluminum trim on the dashboard and the door panels, full leather upholstery, and a 380-watt Meridian sound system make the cabin as lavish as the Land Rover emblem on the grille suggests.
The list of standard features also includes a 10.2-inch high-resolution touch screen that runs Land Rover's InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. Note that base models do not come equipped with navigation.
The cabin offers seating for four passengers, while trunk space checks in at 8.9 cubic feet regardless of whether the top is up or down.
Trim level breakdown
The Evoque Convertible is offered in two trim levels called SE Dynamic and HSE Dynamic, respectively.
SE Dynamic models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, hill descent control, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding heated mirror with integrated puddle lights, a tire pressure monitoring system, black mirror caps, body-colored door handles, a push-button ignition, a leather-upholstered steering wheel, a locking glovebox, parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a rear-view camera, cruise control, and a thin-film transistor (TFT) display in the instrument cluster.
Stepping up to the HSE Dynamic model brings navigation, configurable ambient lighting, black hood vents, Xenon headlights, front fog lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, and illuminated tread plates.
Under the hood
The convertible exclusively ships with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It makes 237 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque, and it's bolted to a nine-speed automatic transmission that spins all four wheels.
Fuel economy checks in at 21 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg in a combined cycle.
Occupant safety
All Evoque models come standard with dual front, side, and knee airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems.
Buyers can order a host of extra-cost electronic driving aids including Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Exit, Closing Vehicle Sensing, a heads-up display, autonomous emergency braking, and a surround camera.
Key competitors
As a premium convertible off-roader, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible doesn't have any true competitors.
The Jeep Wrangler is also a go-anywhere, open-air off-roader, but it's not nearly as nice inside as the Evoque. There are plenty of luxurious convertibles in the price bracket -- including the BMW 4 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet -- but they all lack the Evoque's off-road prowess.
