How do you think about it?

Hi folks,

It's been a year for me owning Evoque and just wanted to know how all of you feel about Evoque.

The thing I like:
1. Appearance: Although many competitors are coming up with better spec on sheet, like Prosche Macan, Merc GLA and others, I still think Evoque is leading with its style. I guess everyone is trying to copy the design language that Evoque has.
2. Interior: Despite the fact that Evoque is not so user friendly (like infotainment system), I personally think not many manufacturer beats the quality and dignifying feeling (not sure about the wording) that Evoque has. Of course I do respect bigger brother of Range Rovers, Jags, Astons, all British cars. Not so sure about Germans and Japaneses.
3. 4WD system: I guess not many manufacturer overcome the capability of off-roading ability that Land Rover has until releasing 2WD Evoque. But is there proper, true comparison between Land Rover (or Range Rover) and other manufacturer?? If you have some information, please tell me!

Things I don't like:
1. Shift mapping: When driving normally, it sometimes holds high revs which I strongly think that it should need to up shift more efficiently. Kick down is really crap. I step on pedal, nothing. Step more, nothing. Step even more, sudden down shift with exploding acceleration, which is not so pleasant.
2. Engine sound: Despite the fact that it is only 2 liter, it sounds cheap. I had a chance of driving Jag XF 3.0 Supercharged, it really sound excellent. Then back with Evoque, ummmmmmmm. I wish it was more quite or has more grumbling strong sound.
3. Dull infotainment system: It's slow. Cumbersome when trying to accessing some feature.

Overall, I do like my car and also believe that Evoque will be benchmark for future compact SUV. Many manufacturer will copy its design language and produce better cars. But Evoque is still a star and a best partner for me.

Norzlein - I think the only other car maker who has the offroad ability same or possibly better than LR is Jeep. Like LR they only make SUV style cars and have only recently starting adding a few 2WD cars to their line-up. All the rest are "car" makers first and SUV building is only part of their operations - possibly the only exception being Subaru who have always specialised in 4WD cars and as far as I know have never built a full on SUV style vehicle - they have built a utility/ pickup but nothing big like Disco//Defender/RR

Hi Norzlein, はじめまして。

Hopefully I'll get my Japan spec 2014 Prestige in a few weeks. I'll let you know if the new 9 speed addresses the mapping issues and if the software on it makes the infotainment more responsive.

One question I have for you is how do you find the navigation? Japan only gets the DVD driven one as opposed to the HD based system. Do you find it slow? I used to have that issue in my RX-8 years ago and since then have always opted for hard disc navis.

Also, have you fitted any kind of speed camera detector? I'm thinking of a rear view mirror based one, as I don't want to spoil the dash. よろしくおねがいします！

(05-03-2014 06:07pm)XFullFatTim Wrote:  Norzlein - I think the only other car maker who has the offroad ability same or possibly better than LR is Jeep. Like LR they only make SUV style cars and have only recently starting adding a few 2WD cars to their line-up. All the rest are "car" makers first and SUV building is only part of their operations - possibly the only exception being Subaru who have always specialised in 4WD cars and as far as I know have never built a full on SUV style vehicle - they have built a utility/ pickup but nothing big like Disco//Defender/RR

Hi XFullFatTim,

Thanks for the comment. I get your point and agree with your opinion. Just wonder if there are a fair decent comparison clip about it. It's true there are some clip comparing cars including Evoque, but it's kind of like home made video and not sure the fairness.
It's a bit different, but I found several clips for off-road driving (some in snow, some in off-road hill climb) for Range Rover Vogue, Land cruiser, Cayenne, Merc G-Class, etc. By looking at these clips, not sure if Land Rover is way capable compare to competitors...

The only large scale comparison I came across in my research was done by motor trend magazine for the 2012 model.

The article with an embedded video is here:
http://m.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/11...ontenders/


http://m.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/11...er_evoque/

Of course now, as can be seen in other threads, it's being pitched against the new Macan. Good to see that though engine spec and price wise it's in a different league, the Evoque is still the benchmark.

(05-03-2014 10:55pm)DfunkyT Wrote:  Hi Norzlein, はじめまして。

Hopefully I'll get my Japan spec 2014 Prestige in a few weeks. I'll let you know if the new 9 speed addresses the mapping issues and if the software on it makes the infotainment more responsive.

One question I have for you is how do you find the navigation? Japan only gets the DVD driven one as opposed to the HD based system. Do you find it slow? I used to have that issue in my RX-8 years ago and since then have always opted for hard disc navis.

Also, have you fitted any kind of speed camera detector? I'm thinking of a rear view mirror based one, as I don't want to spoil the dash. よろしくおねがいします！

Hi DfunkyT, こんにちは！

Nice to hear you getting 2014 model! By watching several clips, I presume shifting is not so bad on new model. You wanna swap it with mine?

About navigation system, let me just address one thing first: whole infotainment system is not responsive, it's slow. I guess it also applies to all infotainment system used in other Range Rovers and Jags too. So let me just concentrate on DVD bit used in navigation system. I used to have HDD navigation system with my previous car and it I think it was relatively faster than DVD navigation system used in Evoque. But fortunately you might get used to it because the whole system is not fast One thing I should mention is that although it has VICS system, I strongly felt that it's not applying it well to the navigation. Arrival time changes dramatically when there seems to be traffic ahead of you. My old navigation was even better

About speed camera detector, nice selection for the mirror one. I was thinking that too, but decided not because I could spoil the auto dim function on the original mirror...

少しでもお役に立てれれば！

(06-03-2014 12:42am)Norzlein Wrote:  Hi DfunkyT, こんにちは！

Nice to hear you getting 2014 model! By watching several clips, I presume shifting is not so bad on new model. You wanna swap it with mine?:)

About navigation system, let me just address one thing first: whole infotainment system is not responsive, it's slow. I guess it also applies to all infotainment system used in other Range Rovers and Jags too. So let me just concentrate on DVD bit used in navigation system. I used to have HDD navigation system with my previous car and it I think it was relatively faster than DVD navigation system used in Evoque. But fortunately you might get used to it because the whole system is not fast:lol: One thing I should mention is that although it has VICS system, I strongly felt that it's not applying it well to the navigation. Arrival time changes dramatically when there seems to be traffic ahead of you. My old navigation was even better:shock:

About speed camera detector, nice selection for the mirror one. I was thinking that too, but decided not because I could spoil the auto dim function on the original mirror...

少しでもお役に立てれれば！

Hi Norzlein-san, thanks for the information. I'm glad to hear that overall you're satisfied with your Evoque. I might not be ready for a swap just yet! 8)

I guess for the infotainment and navi, shoganai ne, (such is life). However, looking forward to the Meridian system.

Good point for the mirror, but not sure if mine has the auto dimming, unless it's standard here. Also just concerned about how to wire it up so there are no wires dangling. Anyway, we shall see.

By the way, do you know if there are any Land Rover experience centres here in Japan? Living in Tokyo, I might have to head to Okutama, Gunma or Hakone to find some dirt!

(06-03-2014 12:35am)DfunkyT Wrote:  The only large scale comparison I came across in my research was done by motor trend magazine for the 2012 model.

The article with an embedded video is here:
http://m.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/11...ontenders/


http://m.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/11...er_evoque/

Of course now, as can be seen in other threads, it's being pitched against the new Macan. Good to see that though engine spec and price wise it's in a different league, the Evoque is still the benchmark.

Hi DfunkyT,

Thanks for the information!
I think I saw this clip before, very interesting. Just like you said, this is also the only one for me to find decent comparison of Evoque...

(06-03-2014 01:08pm)Norzlein Wrote:  Hi DfunkyT,

Thanks for the information!
I think I saw this clip before, very interesting. Just like you said, this is also the only one for me to find decent comparison of Evoque...

Hi Norzlein - no problem.

Have you bought many accessories for your car, and if so do you recommend anywhere? The dealer options here are so expensive.

I worked out that it's actually cheaper to buy them from Duckworths in the U.K., even with postage. The exchange rate and the lack of the 20% consumption tax makes most things a bit cheaper, and if there are special offers, of course it makes it even cheaper.

So far I've ordered the sports pedals. If I don't have to pay import tax at this end then it makes them about ¥3,000-4,000 cheaper than buying them from the dealer here. If all goes to plan, I will probably buy the aluminium paddle shifters next, but even at the better rate, they are the price of a good onsen trip!!

(06-03-2014 12:59pm)DfunkyT Wrote:  Hi Norzlein-san, thanks for the information. I'm glad to hear that overall you're satisfied with your Evoque. I might not be ready for a swap just yet!

I guess for the infotainment and navi, shoganai ne, (such is life). However, looking forward to the Meridian system.

Good point for the mirror, but not sure if mine has the auto dimming, unless it's standard here. Also just concerned about how to wire it up so there are no wires dangling. Anyway, we shall see.

By the way, do you know if there are any Land Rover experience centres here in Japan? Living in Tokyo, I might have to head to Okutama, Gunma or Hakone to find some dirt!

Hi DfunkyT-san,

According to the catalogue I have, Prestige seems to have auto dimmed mirror as a default not sure about 2014 model, let's see...

I've never heard about the existence of LR Experience Center, I always wanted to attend such event! But not brave enough to throw my Evoque into dirt...