2019 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
At their core, both the P250 and P300 use the same 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. In our P250 SE test model, it makes 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. It's certainly no slouch. It provides plenty of hustle, though you can feel a momentary pause due to turbo lag. The P300 differs thanks to the addition of a 48-volt battery, which creates a mild-hybrid system making 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. Both versions send power through a 9-speed automatic transmission to permanent all-wheel drive (AWD). The automatic is responsive and kicks down into a more aggressive gear quickly, providing slick acceleration when you need it. We did not drive the P300, but electric power typically shines in low-end acceleration鈥攅specially from a standstill. This means the minor lag issue we experienced with the P250 is likely nonexistent in the P300. Powerful engines are all well and good, but off-road capability is core to Land Rover鈥檚 identity.
The beltline sits just a tad below the windows. Above this line, the body become increasingly narrower until it meets the side windows. The fender flares extended from the body just like on the old model, yet another feature that gives the Defender a classic look. The rear fascia is equally simple and Land Rover kept the taillights small. But while the old Defender features old-school round lights mounted on the body, Land Rover went with integrated lights for the new SUV. The main brake lights are mounted on top of each other a few inches inside the fascia, with two extra smaller lights mounted toward the edge. The design is pretty cool and modern, but it still has a classic vibe. It鈥檚 also a neat feature to have on a modern SUV, since all of them now feature large taillights that integrate all elements. The rear end is rounded off by a sturdy bumper that鈥檚 really thick at the center.
Sojourner carried only five cameras, and the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity were designed with 10 cameras apiece. The new rover will carry 23 cameras. Some will provide more color and 3D imaging than on Curiosity, according to Jim Bell of Arizona State University, Tempe, the principle investigator for 2020's Mastcam-Z. The engineering cameras for planning drives and avoiding hazards on Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity all captured 1-megapixel images in black and white. 2020's engineering cameras will acquire high-resolution, 20-megapixel color images. Their wider field of view means that, instead of spending time taking multiple images to be stitched together on the ground, the new cameras can capture the same view in a single snapshot. The cameras can also reduce motion blur, so they can snap images while the rover is traveling. More detailed images mean more data to beam through space. Smarter rover cameras are helping to reduce the load.
The Terrain Response dial has been replaced by buttons and the center console as a whole has been reworked. Materials used throughout the interior are a mix of good and bad. 40,000 crossover. Modern tech items are absent too. There are no power sunshades for either of the sunroofs, no power liftgate, no blind spot monitoring system and no crash avoidance radar. Due to the LR2鈥檚 boxy shape and low beltline, sightlines are terrific and work with the standard dual sunroof to provide an airy cabin. The LR2 also sits high thanks to 8.26-inches of ground clearance that makes for a commanding view of the road, but trouble for shorter folks when it comes to ingress and egress. For those interested in utilizing the 3,500 lbs towing capacity, the reverse camera features 鈥楬itch Assist,鈥?which superimposes a hitch on the camera to show the position of the tow ball. 43,795 thanks to options like navigation, those 19-inch wheels and a cold weather pack. Placing it right into the heart of the compact luxury crossover market, the LR2 matches up well against its competitors in most categories like size, content and performance. Aside from its one major fault, fuel efficiency, the LR2 truly is an alternative to the usual European crossover suspects. Plus, it carries an off road pedigree none of the other鈥檚 can match.
