(23-08-2012 05:25pm)karambar Wrote:  Hi all,

This is my first post, and a small review of my new Evoque. Looks exactly like the one in this post, so I figured I might post here.
So here I go. Hope it can be useful to any potential buyer.

Mine is a Prestige 5 door TD4 automatic with Ivory-espresso leather, Orkney grey with black panoramic contrast roof. Options are reverse camera, adaptive Xenon, DAB radio, Meridian 800 watt system, and a few more such as heated seats, heating steering wheel and front windscreen.

I ordered a coupe, but the seller got things all mixed up and got me a 5 door! Hesitated to take it, as I think a coupe looks far far better, but on hindsight, 5 door is really practical, and I'm slowly getting used to 5 doors. And of course did not want to wait another 6 months! Also got the 10 double spoke rims, which I didn't really like, so the seller ordered 5 spoke style 3 rims as for the coupe, for free, to compensate. I'll keep both sets of rims.

First, I must say I was surprised to see how quiet the car and its engine are. Quite impressive, even compared to BMW and Audi, my 2 previous cars. There is little wind noise, ortyre noise even driving on a motorway, contrary to what I read a few places.

ADAPTIVE DYNAMICS?
I hesitated on getting an sd4 with adaptive dynamics, so I tried both several times before buying.
I feel there is very little difference in normal mode, and I find the suspension on the magneride model is a bit harder than on the standard version. On another hand, the magneride version does keep body roll in check a bit better. But then, I didn't go for an evoque to have a racing cart, in the first place. Having said that, body roll is quite ok even on winding mountain roads, on my standard suspension model. I also thought that the suspension on the adaptive dynamics model was VERY jittery even on smooth surfaces when in dynamic mode. Hence my choice, very glad with it.

SD4 or TD4?

Also hesitated there. Finally got a TD4. As it turns out, the engine is the same as the SD4, but tuned down a bit. Contrary to what I read, it is exactly as smooth as the SD4 and does not sound like a smaller engine, as it is not. Even with only 150 BHp, it is quite enough to have fun as the torque (the important part) is quite impressive, and only marginally different from the SD4 (400 vs 420 NM). I do not hear ANY typical diesel rattle when inside the car, contrary to most small diesels. Well done RR! TD4 will keep road tax down a bit, too.

GEAR BOX:

Took the auto. Very very smooth gearbox, although not exactly sporty. Do not feel any hesitation between gears as sometimes reported. Paddleshifts are standard and great fun even on a TD4. The knob looks original and classy too. Tried hill descent, which is quite impressive on steep slippery roads!

PANORAMIC ROOF:

Very very cool! Almost criminal not to have one, in my opinion. Does not increase wind noise. Cabin does not heat up too much either in the sun ( is tinted quite a bit ).

Air conditionning:

I was surprised to see how well it works, even in the sun with the pano roof open, and how little you notice it. Contrary to most cars I drove, it does not do the usual ICE COLD or TOO HOT thing. Feels like an agreable breeze...

SEATS:

Very comfortable, even when compared to BMW sport seats or recaro seats. Fully adaptable.

DAB and Meridian system:

Wow! Kick-ass system. Excellent sound, with the possibility to choose between several settings for the surround part. The Meridian tri-field setting sound exactly like sitting in front of a stage. Excellent sound. The only problem is that standard downloaded music sounds a bit flat sometimes compared to CD or SACD music. Very good for vocal and classical music too! I'll have to start buying CD's again!

XENON adaptive lighting:

I had that on my previous car. And i must say this one is FAR superior. The xenon lights turn with the steering wheel, and there is also a high power white LED projector on the exterior of each xenon light, that really lights up the side of the road. Makes an enormous difference on winding roads. And fog lights are LED too, and much brighter than standard fog lights. Really recommend it.

Fuel economy:

As always, even driving nice and smooth, figures are not as good as stated by RR, but only marginally so. Quite good nevertheless, and quite a big gas tank compared to some other cars.

So there you go. Really enjoy it, and well worth the wait, in spite of the fact I didn't get a coupe.