Lurker chiming in here...
I'm not rich in the least but the Evoque is on my short list of cars that I am considering for my next purchase. IMO, someone who can afford a lease payment of $600-900 yet complaining that other folks are 'rich' = pot-kettle-black.
Also, most well-to-do peeps like to lease their cars (bc they like the idea of getting a new car every 2-3 years), where as most middle class people I know, purchase them new/used with long term monthly payments.
In Philadelphia where I hail from, many people, who are not rich (but should learn to live within their means... don't get me started), seem to drive BMW, Lexus, & Infinity. Granted, they more than likely purchased them used, but still, when one is more worried about purchasing chrome rims on your car, than maintaining their homes, then there are probably some issues about responsibility that should have been taught to them (or maybe they are drug dealers -ha). Basically, everywhere I turn I see BMWs... bored now.
So why is the Evoque on my short list? Because it's highly unqiue, the tech inside is amazing plus I could use extra cargo space (last year I fit a 55" Samsung LED Smart HDTV into my TSX but it wasn't easy -yes, I ended up being one of those jerks that had to remove the item from the box at the curb of the Best Buy). I work hard and I am responsible enough with my money so that one day I'll be able to place a huge downpayment to treat myself to something special (again, if I end up with an Evoque). My last three cars were unique in their own way: 2000 Toyota Celica GT-S, 2004 Mazda RX-8, 2009 Acura TSX (when I purchased the TSX, there were none on the road... now they are everywhere).
Oh, another reason why the Evoque is on my list: its the BEST 4x4 of its group. Whereas sunny California as to deal with rolling blackouts, we on the East Coast have to deal with WINTER. With every car I've previously owned, I've had issues during the winter/snow with ground clearance and handling (and yes, I had snow tires in my garage for winter driving - although they helped, I actually got stuck once in my RX-8 - cries). So the Evoque is also very practical for me. Yeah, I could look at Jeeps or other SUVs, but the Evoque caught my eye (plus have you ever ridden in a Jeep Wrangler... ick ick ick).
Back to you: your comparison of the Evoque to a sports sedan was humorous to moi. They are different types of vehicles. A more fair comparison would be to compare the Audi Q5/7 or BMW X3/5 to the Evoque. What forced me to reply here was you stating that a hybrid gets better gas milage than a US spec'd Evoque. Nooooo??? Really??? Who would have guessed???
http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-epi...smug-alert
You started multiple threads with multiple questions that could have probably been posted in just one or two threads per section (this really mucks up my lurking ability, ya know? But fine, I didn't complain and was dealing with it). Now you decided that the Evoque was not the car for you. So instead of going away quietly and being happy with your potential future purchase, you... wait for it... started yet another thread to gloat about how much your beloved hybrid is better than the Evoque, then throw an indirect hissy fit about rich people (see: pot-kettle-black above). BTW - you forgot to mention that the BMW comes with a sunroof that opens -something the Evoque does not have as well.
Instead of the common BMW, why don't you just get an Aston Martin? It's unique, people will gawk at it when you are at the gas station. Impress your friends! Chat up ladies! Tell them that it's James Bond car! I'm sure dem broads will reciprocate when they hear that! Woohoo!
This isn't an attack. Just stating my viewpoint.
Apologies to anyone who takes offense. Now, I shall go back my lurking... Expelliarmus!