Range Rover Evoque Convertible first drive review : Top down, revs up

Land Rover has taken the top off its Range Rover Evoque to make it convertible. Sounds simple, but this good-looking topless SUV is a feat of modern design, engineering and manufacturing.

This is the first convertible Range Rover, other than the Queen’s bespoke model of course – but who’d want to run down to the shops in that? Apart from the Jeep Wrangler, there aren’t many convertible SUV options out there.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible first drive: Top down, revs up - photo 11

We’ve driven the hard top Evoque, so the question with the Convertible is whether it can offer the same premium experience and handling both on- and off-road, without compromise.

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible comes in 4WD 2.0-litre Ingenium automatic with 180bhp and 240bhp engine options, starting at £47,500/$71,250. We took it to the roads, complete with its striking tangerine coat of paint, to see what this convertible Range feels like.

 

To counter this there are a lot of changes under the outer shell to offer levels of support that allow that window frame enough strength to hold the car’s weight, should it invert. There’s even safety roll-over bars that fire out of the rear, like car airbags, to support the passengers in the event of a flip. Not that we flipped it, but it’s reassuring to know it should be safe.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible first drive: Top down, revs up - photo 24Range Rover Evoque Convertible first drive: Top down, revs up - photo 25

From safety to sassy: the Convertible looks sleek thanks to those familiar lines that the Evoque is famous for. Side-on it almost looks smaller than the hardtop, even with the soft-top up – possibly thanks to body coloured side skirts. But this is still and SUV with decent riding position and height. It also has high sides which make you feel enveloped and protected from the wind.

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