{"id":8911,"date":"2014-07-30T21:31:39","date_gmt":"2014-07-30T21:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/?p=8911"},"modified":"2014-07-30T21:34:44","modified_gmt":"2014-07-30T21:34:44","slug":"ruth-scott-drives-new-range-rover-evoque","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/index.php\/ruth-scott-drives-new-range-rover-evoque\/","title":{"rendered":"Ruth Scott Drives the New Range Rover Evoque"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Evoque\"<\/a>Guest\u00a0Reviewer, RT\u00c9 2FM\u2019s Ruth Scott is utterly seduced by the\u00a0\u00a0Range Rover Evoque<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Oh god oh god oh god. I\u2019ve only ever seen Range Rovers with the Queen in the back and now here I am test driving the 5 door automatic Range Rover Evoque. \u201cThat won\u2019t fit in my car park space\u201d I thought. Looks really big. Oh how I was deceived. This fitted my neat parking space with a little room front & back. Just as well; Can\u2019t have the neighbours\u2019 kids leaning on it after all! The Evoque, I\u2019m told, is the smallest of the Range Rover family but felt plenty roomy.<\/p>\n

Weirdly, I started by sitting in the back seat. No, I don\u2019t know why either! It\u2019s like sitting in a private jet! I got a great feeling of a space in a bossom of leather interior (oh how I loved that leather interior!) Once the driver isn\u2019t a giant, there is loads of room to cross legs back here!<\/p>\n

Sitting into the driver\u2019s seat brings a mixed feeling of very modern technology & some real old class style.\u00a0 I rest the keyfob on the centre console, brake & press the start button to get going. The usual automatic \u201cgearstick\u201d \/ handle is replaced by a round column that rises & lowers Star Trek style. Set your faces to stunned the first time you see that bad boy appear. Think Katy Perry rising onto the stage on a beautiful platform.\u00a0 Even with having my sunglasses on my head & my jaw slackened at the beauty of the interior, there was still oodles of head room! In fact, the seat sits slightly lower giving it a very sporty feel.<\/p>\n

If you told me a week ago that white leather seats would look like anything other than a prop for a Barry Manilow concert, I wouldn\u2019t have believed you. But wow-wee! That private-jet feeling is evident in the front seat also. Regal style white interior doesn\u2019t do it for you? Range Rover Evoque offers an extensive selection of colours, materials, finishes & luxury options.\u00a0 The seats are electrically controlled & very comfortable. I didn\u2019t have enough gadgets to be able to use that many power points. They\u2019re even in the boot \u2013 For the mini fridge?<\/p>\n

The styling of the Evoque means that the back window is a little smaller than a conventional jeep but it adds to the overall somewhat sporty shape. It may have contributed to the boot being bigger. I fitted in 2 golf bags (I don\u2019t even play golf! Don\u2019t ask!) picnic basket, several rugs, cushions & flasks. Easy peasy with the big boot.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know why it is that people feel the need to kick tyres but many tried to kick the monster Evoque tyres. (Dear Range Rover, I retaliated by kicking the people!)<\/p>\n

Over my week test driving it, I was constantly asked if it rolls when it turns. Perhaps a legacy of former models? It did not roll. Everything about this car felt solid. Whether going around a long sweeping slip road or sharp mountainous bend, I & my passengers felt solid & still. Almost Zen-like! The 9-speed gearbox shifts a lot more than a traditional 6-speed but you barely notice; I\u2019m no mathematician, but I\u2019m presuming the shifts are all smaller & hence smoother.<\/p>\n

A combination of main roads & summertime meant that I didn\u2019t get to put the full array of driving mode options available in the \u201cTerrain Response System\u201d to the test, which includes sport, eco, grass, gravel, sand and snow modes!!!<\/p>\n

More nice treats I discovered during the week were a speedy navigation system, easy-to-use cruise control, parking sensors, DVD capability; automatic high beam assist which mean you don\u2019t blind oncoming cars, paddle gear shift & the extra little buttons behind the steering wheel \u2013 very simple, even for fat-fingered me!<\/p>\n

Despite the perception of \u2018baby\u2019 Range Rover designed for the \u2018lady market\u2019, the Evoque is a true Range Rover with the power, the stance, the solidity and the feeling of superiority one would expect at this end of the market.<\/p>\n

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