Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver became one of the first people to drive the new Range Rover Evoque, visiting some of his favorite London foodie spots for ingredients to create the city’s best veggie burger.
As part of the global reveal of the new Range Rover Evoque, Jamie navigated London’s busy streets to pick up everything he needed to make his Indian-inspired bhaji burger, which he then cooked for guests at Land Rover’s Evoque Experience.
In a throwback to his Naked Chef days, Jamie visited Brick Lane, stopping at Taj Stores for spices and yoghurt and Beigel Bake to collect bread rolls. Taking a shortcut through Bishopsgate Goods Yard, he put the Range Rover Evoque through its paces, wading through water pools and taking the car across a series of ramps through the tunnels.
Parking in London proved easy as Jamie used the ClearSight Rear View feature to turn the rear-view mirror into an HD screen giving an unrestricted view of what’s behind the vehicle.
“I absolutely love this car, it was so much fun to drive on the busy streets of London and through the water trough in the Bishopsgate tunnels. I’ve always loved Land Rover and I had a brilliant time designing my cooking car last year, so when I was asked to come and test out the new Evoque, I jumped at the chance. The fact that Land Rover can create something as versatile as the Discovery and as agile as the Evoque is such a testament to this brilliant British brand, “said Jamie Oliver.
The Range Rover Evoque is designed, engineered and manufactured in Britain and combines unrivalled Range Rover heritage with cutting-edge technology. The vehicle meets the needs of today’s customers with its agile handling, making it ideally suited to tight city streets.
Expect the new Evoque to reach South Africa towards the second half of next year.
Also worth a look: the Range Rover SV Platinum Edition: A R6.2 Million Ode to South and the Land Rover Defender.
FAQ
Q: What does the Range Rover Evoque cost in South Africa?
The new Range Rover Evoque starts from around R850,000 for the base model in South Africa, with higher trim levels reaching well over R1.2 million depending on options and specifications.
Q: Is the Range Rover Evoque worth buying?
The Evoque is worth buying if you want premium British luxury with impressive city driving capabilities, but expect hefty running costs and potential reliability concerns that come with the Land Rover badge.
Q: What are the main features of the new Range Rover Evoque?
Key features include ClearSight Rear View technology that turns your rear-view mirror into an HD screen, excellent water wading capabilities, agile city handling, and signature Range Rover luxury appointments throughout the cabin.
Q: How reliable is the Range Rover Evoque compared to other luxury SUVs?
The Evoque traditionally ranks below German rivals like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 for reliability, with owners reporting more electrical gremlins and higher maintenance costs over the long term.
Q: What is the fuel consumption of the Range Rover Evoque?
Expect real-world fuel consumption of around 9 to 12 litres per 100km depending on engine choice and driving conditions, which is fairly typical for this premium SUV segment.
Should You Buy It?
Maybe, but only if you're prepared for the financial commitment. The Range Rover Evoque delivers on style, luxury and that unmistakable Range Rover presence from around R850,000, making it one of the more accessible ways into the brand. The city-friendly dimensions, clever tech like ClearSight, and genuine off-road capability set it apart from purely road-focused rivals. However, running costs will be substantial, reliability can be patchy, and depreciation hits hard. If you want the best compact luxury SUV under R900,000 in SA for pure driving dynamics and build quality, the BMW X3 remains the smarter choice, but for sheer desirability and British character, the Evoque still has that special something.
