Volvo XC60 Vs Range Rover Evoque review and comparison

Volvo XC60
VS

Ranger Rover Evoque

Welcome to the 2012 Volvo XC60 Vs Range Rover Evoque comparison and review page. Yes we’ve driven them both recently and have come up with a definitive result! The XC60 model has been around for a few years and we think it is THE model to get if considering a luxury SUV. The all new Evoque is smaller than the XC60 so we are comparing the two based on their similar pricing. Honestly simply forget about buying the BMW X1 or X3 or even Lexus RX as all are over priced, under equipped, under perform compared to the Volvo’s  XC60 range.  The only reason you’d consider the other brands are badge reasons or perhaps re-sale.

Sure Volvo lost the plot in the late 1990’s and 2000’s but they have finally found their niche and really you must drive one to appreciate the package. It’s got high quality materials, very well bit, quiet and refined, rides well and does handle as well as the others around on a normal road. We test drove one and came away very impressed, the only reason we didn’t buy one at the time was because we had just tried the Range Evoque! Volvo is the quiet achiever and just needs a new image other than safety – in a time where virtually all its competitors have the same crash ratings.

It is easy to like the new Ranger Rover Evoque due to its modern and hopefully classic exterior design on the outside it probably ranks up there with the now superseded Mazda Cx-7 in terms of being one of the most stylish SUVs sold to date (Applies to the 3 door version only). On the inside the Evoque had a upmarket look and feel of the higher end but some of the trim is not up to it prestige brand image.

We’ll get to the problems with the Evoque first. The list price may appear reasonably priced but in order for you to get a Ranger Rover equipped as expected in a prestige car you will need to pay a lot more! As a base model the Evoque does not have the equipment levels of to range Japanese or Korean SUV priced at $20,000 less. The options list NEEDS to be ticked if you want a true Range Rover otherwise it is a very basic car. The extras you need increase the price by at least $10000 and even then it’s still not enough. For example the Meridian sound system is an option priced around $2400 extra yet does NOT sound as good as the Harmon Kardon in a Toyota Camry! Furthermore the build quality is not what you’d expect – if you look closely eg under the steering column.

There are no issues of real note with the Volvo except perhaps that the interior at first seems very plain. Give it a chance and you will be more than happy for the price. Again play with the options list and you get much more for your dollar than the Evoque.  The Volvo has quality throughout where as the Evoque is only on the surface.

Drive the Evoque and it is not as quiet as the Volvo but handles as well at least around town. The diesel engine is one of the best in terms of refinement and noise but a bit flat we’ve driven to date and the petrol is quite zippy. The ride on the road is also very good! (Both brands do share the same engines) Only the 6 cylinder engines are available in the XC60. Of which the XC60 T6 is amazingly fast and refined compared to the Evoque and shows dust to any comparable BMW X1 or X3. We’ll definitely write up more on the Volvo and Evoque comparisons with other small SUV over the next few months.

As it stands if you want looks and like ticking boxes the Evoque stands out but only the 3 door version. The 5 door Evoque just doesn’t look right. However in our eyes the XC60 easily wins in terms of the overall package. We definitely think the T6 model with its turbo 6 is a very very good performance SUV. Come to think of it the base model XC60 T5 easily beats all the small SUVs we’ve tried to date except for price. However the thing is that the Volvo is worth the extra money.

Volvo XC60 Ranger Rover Evoque
Engines
B4204T (T5)
IL4 cylinder Petrol 95 Octane
DOHC with VVTi EFI Turbo-charged – intercooler
2.0 Litre (1999cc)
Claimed 177kW @ 5500rpm
Claimed 320Nm @ 1800rpmB6324S
IL6 cylinder Petrol 95 Octane
3.2 Litre (3192cc)
DOHC VVT NON-Turbo
Claimed 179kW @ 6400rpm
Claimed 320Nm @ 3200rpmB6304T (T6)
IL6 cylinder Petrol 95 Octane
3.0 Litre (2953cc)
DOHC VVT Turbo intercooler
Claimed 224kW @ 5600rpm
Claimed 440Nm @ 1500rpmD5244T cylinder (D5)
IL4 Cylinder – Diesel Twin Turbo-charged – Intercooler
2.4 Litre (2400cc)
Claimed 158Kw @ 4000RPM
Claimed 440Nm @ 1500RPM
IL4 Cylinder (224DT)
DOHC EFI Direct Injection Turbo Desel
2.2 Litre (2179cc)
Claimed 140Kw @ 3500RPM
Claimed 420Nm @ 1750RPMIL4 (204PT)
IL4 Cylinder petrol Intercooled Turbo
DOHC VVT EFI
2.0 Litre (1999cc)
Claimed 177Kw @ 3500RPM
Claimed 340Nm @ 1750RPM
Weight
Kerb weight FROM 1740 Kg
Towing capacity up to 2000 Kg
From 1745Kg
Towing capacity up to 1800kg
Fuel capacity & consumption
67 litres – Diesel or Unleaded 95 Octane (min)
B4204T Petrol 8.7 litres per 100km (Claimed)
B6324S Petrol 10.5 litres per 100km (Claimed)
B6304T Petrol 10.5 litres per 100km (Claimed)
D5244T Petrol 6.9 litres per 100km (Claimed)
Up to 70 litres (95 Octane)
IL4 Diesel 6.5Lts per 100km AVG
IL4 Petrol 8.7Lts per 100km AVG
Other specifications
6 Speed Auto or 6 speed manual transmission
Overall height/width 1713/1891
Overall length/wheelbase 4627/2774
Tyre size: 235-65-17 or 235-60-18
NCAP safety rating 5/5
Tyre size:
6 speed Auto
Overall height/width 1635/1965
Overall length/Wheelbase 4365/2660
4WD system: AWD or 2WD
ANCAP Safety: 5/5
Tyre size:
Capability 
Angle of: (degrees)
Approach xx Departure xx Breakover xx
Min ground clearance xxx mm
Water Fording depth xxx mm
4WD system: FWD or AWD only
Angle of: (degrees)
Approach xx Departure xx Breakover xx
Min ground clearance xxx mm
Water Fording depth xxx mm
4WD system: FWD or AWD only
Performance
B4204T 0-100kph  8.1 secs
B6324S 0-100kph 9.9 secs
B6304T 0-100kph 7.3 secs
Diesel (2.2 DT)
0-100Kph:8.5 sec
Petrol (2.0 T)
0-100Kph:7.6 secs
Pricing
2012 $54,990 – 75,990 AUD
*Always check with the dealer
for up to date pricing, on road costs
and specials accessories etc…
2012 $49,990 – 77,395 AUD
2010 $25,990 – 38,990 AUD