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Original poster

Volvo XC60 or Range Rover Evoque?

28 replies

Pookythebear · 06/08/2017 13:14

Hoping someone has an opinion on either of these 2 cars! We are a family of 4 looking to change our current old and battered Volvo for one of the above. I've test driven the XC60 but not the evoque - yet. I found the XC60 fine, and would be happy with it but my head keeps turning to the evoque. Probably for no other reason that as a competitor it looks very pretty! And it would be nice to have a change.

We'd be buying the car outright and would ideally want to keep it as long as possible.

I think huge thing for us is a reliability in this type of car. Volvo seems to still appear in the top 20 of reliability, whereas RR seem to get mixed reviews on that score.

Does anyone have any thoughts or own one of these? Or conversely, owned one and wish they hadn't!

tia

OP posts:
Fintress · 06/08/2017 13:20

We test drove an Evoque a couple of years ago and didn't like it. It had a terrible blind spot (front driver's side pillar). That may have been improved on.

Kursk · 06/08/2017 13:24

Having owned a Discovery and a Freelander I can say that they were both unreliable.

Volvo's always used to use Ford parts so had great Ford reliability.

I have driven an Evoque and they are very small and don't seem that practical. I currently drive a Ford Expedition EL and would choose that every time over a Evoque

MrsQuim · 06/08/2017 13:28

I vote evoque, i never noticed a blind spot in my mine. Volvos im sure are perfectly nice but to me also seem perfectly boring Grin

I never had any reliability issues with mine either.

MikeUniformMike · 06/08/2017 13:31

If you're buying second hand, I'd go for the Volvo.

JaneEyre70 · 06/08/2017 13:34

We had an Evoque on a weekend test drive a few months ago and I can't tell you how much I loved it. I've also done a RR off road experience in one, and they are such amazing cars. There wasn't anything I didn't like, tbh, and we were going to get one but DH prefers admiring the bank balance as opposed to spending it Hmm. I'd get one in a heartbeat.

Wantapony · 06/08/2017 14:12

Hi, I've had an Evoque and previous to that, an XC60.
Pros and cons for XC60... Roomy, huge boot, comfortable drive, not wildly expensive to run. I found it a 'bland' drive and bland looks but perfectly serviceable.
For the Evoque.. Best fun to drive, nippy, responsive and loads of kit if you go mid-range (Pure Tech or Dynamic) The big fail for me is a comparatively small boot. Servicing and parts are also v expensive/specialist for LR and watch anything over 5yrs old for its electrics, as I've had expensive central locking/boot close issues in the past with a Vogue.
For me, the Evoque wins hands down for fun, kit and styling!

000PuraVida000 · 06/08/2017 14:23

We have an XC60 and I am very impressed with it. I was also similarly drawn to the evoque but the visibility put me right off

sxround · 06/08/2017 14:38

DP has been in the motor trade 20+ years.
He always smiles at people buying a badge first and a car second.
If you really want a well specified, well built, and totally reliable car of the SUV type, the smart money is always on a Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe.

7 year warranty, and they look and drive superbly.

salsaysthis · 06/08/2017 14:43

Niether! Everyone I see an Evoque I think "you couldn't afford an actual Range Rover so you settled for it's poor cousin" and I hate Volvo's as they're so ugly. There's an XC90 on our street and it just reminds me of a hearse.

Sorry, not much help. Maybe take @sxround 's advice.

Orangebird69 · 06/08/2017 14:45

I think the Evoques are pig ugly. That, along with the new Disco sport - they both look like the back end has had a stroke. It's like LRs designers have been on glue for the past couple of years. When I see people drive Evoques I just think they've got lots of money and absolutely no taste whatsoever.

Volvo - just classy. My DF has an XC60 and it's lovely. Huge boot. V comfy (I drove for 9 hours through Spain in dfs without a problem). Reasonable running and maintenance costs. Won't date horrifically like the Evoque.

Orangebird69 · 06/08/2017 14:49

Kursk are you in the UK?

FamaLamaDingDong · 06/08/2017 14:50

Avoid the evoque for reliability issues. They're terrible. The discovery sport is a less "badge queen" alternative and I haven't heard they're as bad as evoque.

Are you buying new or used?

If you're buying new there are long lead times on the evoque.

The all new qashqai is really impressive as is the x trail.

If I was getting an suv I would go for the ford edge...

Tokelau · 06/08/2017 14:57

I've had the Volvo XC60 for about 2 years, and we looked at the Evoque when we were deciding.

I do think the Evoque is a lovely looking car, and was nice to drive. I was a little disappointed with the visibility at the back. It seemed a little claustrophobic inside too, still a lovely car though.

We chose the Volvo for a few reasons. We thought it would be more reliable, much much more space inside and we liked it very much. Two years on, and I love it. It feels so strong and safe, it's really lovely to drive, there is plenty of room and the visibility is great. I like it so much that if we needed to replace the car, I would happily get another one. It has been very reliable. It's not too bad on fuel for a large car. My only slight criticism would be that it's not too easy to turn. It seems to have a large turning circle, unlike other cars that I've driven before. That still wouldn't put me off though.

Original poster
Pookythebear · 06/08/2017 16:31

Ahh thank you all for your replies. The evoque sounds like it could be a bit problematic longer term which really does put me off as we are in it for the long haul.
Although I will test drive it just to satisfy my curiosity! I think though as we are intending to have it for such a long time I'd really worry with the v.expensive costs and potential dodgy electrics. If I changed cars more regularly I'd be seriously tempted as I personally think it is a beauty.

We'd be looking at new or nearly new.

OP posts:
sparechange · 06/08/2017 16:35

We test drove both of those, plus the Discovery Sport and new Q5

We ended up getting a Jaguar F-Pace and absolutely love it. Great boot space, loads of leg room in the back seats and a really great driving position

Kursk · 06/08/2017 17:25

Orangebird69

I am in the US, used to live in the UK

Orangebird69 · 06/08/2017 17:31

Thought so Kursk - that or the ME. We had an Expedition in Saudi. Absolutely loved it. If they sold them in the UK I'd have one too !

PlausibleSuit · 06/08/2017 17:35

I have three friends with Evoques, and they've all had problems once the cars get to about two years old. Electrics, suspension, gearbox. They all plan to get rid once the finance term is up.

So I'd go for the Volvo 100%. I don't have personal experience of the XC60 but the new one is a beautiful car. Another friend of mine has had Volvos for 10+ years though, and always had good experiences.

Agree with sxround about checking out Hyundai or Kia, too.

FamaLamaDingDong · 06/08/2017 17:48

Also there is a my18 xc60 out so the my17 pre registered will have some good deals

cowgirlsareforever · 06/08/2017 21:00

Volvos are very classy. Far more so than Evoques. I think salsaysthis has given you some great advice too.

somewhereovertherain · 06/08/2017 21:07

Easy

are you an arsehole if yes go for the evoque or an f-pace or an x4. If not for for the Volvo. For me I'd be looking at the Skoda Kodiaq.

Did have the old shape xc60 on my list for Comapny car but didn't like the old spec

Letitrain · 06/08/2017 21:13

Volvo every time

fruitbats · 06/08/2017 21:16

I have owned an xc60 since 2009. It has been a brilliant car. Loads of room. There is a new one out now with first deliveries expected September. Unfortunately, I don't like the look of the new one. The dealership is offering thousands of pounds of discounts to shift the old shape. I tried an Evoque earlier this year and visibility is very poor.

MeltorPeltor · 06/08/2017 21:29

I've got a (proper) Range Rover and ended up with an Evoque when mine when in for service, it was so small. I wouldn't have thought it at all practical for a family of 4. It was like driving a car. If you want a small Land Rover go for the Discovery Sport, just as nippy but slightly larger and the two seats in the boot are handy for taking friends etc.

I'd be happy with the Volvo though, the styling of the new ones is gorgeous although I'd go for an XC90 as I need a bigger car, they are always good on safety too.

We've had Land Rovers for over twenty years and as long as you look after them they're no more unreliable than any other car,.

safariboot · 06/08/2017 21:39

To my eyes the Evoque looks like it's been beheaded. Massive sides and tiny windows, it's just not properly proportioned. Not that the exterior looks really matters when you're inside it..