Evocative: The 2020 Range Rover Evoque First Edition

The 2020 Range Rover Evoque First Edition.

"Evoque". It's a made-up word, like a lot of car names. But in the case of the 2020 Range Rover Evoque, it sounds like a real word---"evoke"---and it matches the meaning of the word it sounds like---evoking luxury unexpected in this size class and all the attributes of the Range Rover brand.

2020 brings the second-generation Evoque---which is even sleeker and smoother than the original, which launched on these shores as a 2012 model.

Under the hood, our 2020 Range Rover Evoque first edition had a two-liter, 246-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the Evoque gets an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon city, 27 highway, which is very impressive for this class of vehicle.

It also has electric power-assisted steering, Land Rover's Terrain Response 2 with selectable driving and off-road modes and torque vectoring by braking.

$56,850 is the starting price for the 2020 Range Rover Evoque First Edition, and that brings a long list of standard equipment:

• 20-inch wheels.
• Premium LED headlights with signature daytime running lights.
• Auto high beam assist.
• R-Dynamic exterior pack.
• Powered tailgate.
• Fixed panoramic black contrast roof.
• Rain-sensing front wipers.
• Rear wiper.
• Rear privacy glass.
• Auto-dimming, power-folding heated door mirrors with memory and approach lights.
• Perimetric Alarm and InControl Protect emergency collision notification.
• Tire pressure monitoring.
• ISOFIX system for child safety seats.
• Electronic traction control.
• Dynamic stability control.
• Roll stability control.
• Emergency braking.
• Anti-lock braking.
• Emergency brake assist.
• Rear view camera.
• Lane keep assist.
• Driver condition monitor.
• Traffic sign recognition.
• Adaptive speed limiter.
• 360-degree parking aid.
• Rear traffic monitor.
• Clear exit monitor.
• Park assist.
• Adaptive cruise control with stop & go.
• High-speed emergency braking.
• Blind spot assist.

Also standard:

• Grained leather seats.
• Power-adjustable heated front seats with lumbar and memory.
• 40/20/40 split fold rear seats.
• Heated leather steering wheel with Atlas bezel.
• Power adjustable steering column.
• First Edition carpet mats and illuminated metal treadplates.
• Bright metal pedals.
• Two-zone climate control.
• Configurable ambient interior lighting.
• ClearSight interior rearview mirror.
• Keyless entry.
• Pushbutton start.
• InControl remote.
• Touch Pro Duo w/Navigation Pro and Pro Services.
• 360-watt Meridian sound system.
• Wi-fi hotspot.
• SiriusXM All Access Package (three month trial).
• HD Radio.
• Bluetooth.
• USB ports.
• Apple CarPlay.
• Android Auto.
• Interactive driver display.
• Head-up display.

In fact, our tester had only three extra-cost options, Adaptive Dynamics ($715), Configurable Dynamics ($355) and an upgrade to 21-inch gloss silver wheels ($300).

So, with $995 destination and delivery charges, the bottom line on the window sticker read $59,215.

Despite its smaller size, the 2020 Range Rover Evoque First Edition feels like a much more expensive machine. It successfully brings the luxury of the big Range Rover down into this size class and makes it a logical alternative for drivers who want the off-road and bad-weather capability and the quality of materials found in the full-size Range Rover in a more compact package.