Is a plug-in hybrid powerplant just what Range Rover’s baby needs? The CAR team finds out after testing the Evoque P300 Dynamic HSE… 
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Range Rover Evoque P300 Dynamic HSE Fast Facts
- Price: R1 702 000
- 0 to 100 km/h: 6.85 seconds
- Top speed: 213 km/h
- Power: 227 kW @ 5 500 r/min
- Torque: 540 N.m @ 2 000 r/min
- CAR fuel index: 2.5 L/100km
- CO2: 43 g/km
When the Evoque first emerged in 2011 Land Rover knew it had hit the nail on the head in terms of what its customers wanted. Taking the tenets of its larger models – sharp styling, lavish cabin, refined on-road manners, and genuine off-road ability – and condensing it into a more compact and (relatively) affordable offering, it was little wonder that the first-gen model managed to chalk up sales of 90 000 units in its first year on the market.
But it wasn’t without its wrinkles. Despite Land Rover’s claims of adopting lightweight materials and innovative Ingenium engines towards the end of the first-generation and into the second, the Evoque remained a surprisingly heavy, and consequently thirsty, vehicle.
Related: Upcoming Range Rover Electric Undergoes Rigorous Testing
Mindful of this, and no doubt feeling the pressure of rising fuel prices and tightening emissions legislation, Land Rover introduced a plug-in hybrid powerplant in 2021. Now, the second-generation version of Range Rover’s popular baby has undergone a midlife refresh. Could this development make the P300e the pick of the Evoque litter?
Aesthetically, the updates to the Evoque are subtle and comprise an updated grille flanked by thinner headlamps that now feature matrix LED technology, and the taillamp arrays are also more slimline than before. Changes to the interior are more prominent and centre largely around a new facia arrangement that sees the previous model’s dual-screen setup, incorporating a 10-inch infotainment screen up top and a smaller HVAC panel below, replaced with a single 11.4-inch unit running an updated version of Land Rover’s Pivi Pro operating system. It’s a development that has its pros and cons. On the upside, the operating system is intuitive, fast and the screen resolution is pin-sharp. The new arrangement also makes allowance for a handy additional storage space and a phone-charging pad. But while it is a more streamlined arrangement, the lack of physical controls for the HVAC and audio volume (bar that on the steering wheel) makes their use on the move a fiddly affair.
Related: Range Rover to Launch Exclusive Catalonia Travel Experience from September
Otherwise, it’s business as usual – there’s lashings of leather and upmarket trim, plenty of room up front and the rear feels airy thanks to the optional panoramic sunroof and the 15-kWh battery has been positioned in such a manner that it doesn’t impact on bootspace, which stands at a reasonable – but not segment-leading – 240 to 720 litres.
The P300e’s powertrain incorporates a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine developing 147 kW and 260 N.m. You’d think a three-cylinder combustion engine would be on its knees trying to move the P300e’s portly 2 198 kg frame around, but its combination with a rear-mounted permanent synchronous electric motor with 80 kW and 260 N.m on tap means there’s total outputs of 227 kW and 540 N.m at play. This would account for the 6.85-second 0-100 km/h sprint we achieved during testing. The transition from electric to internal combustion is pleasingly smooth and combines with impressive NVH insulation and a ride that’s impressively composed (even on this model’s 20-inch rims) to make the P300e a serene cruiser. Even with a kerb weight broaching the two-tonne mark and steering that’s geared on the lighter side, the Evoque still manages to be reasonably nimble when pressed into corners. 
In terms of efficiency, the P300e is a mixed bag. Fully charging the lithium-ion battery from a 7 kW AC wall plug takes just over two hours, while fast DC charging at up to 32 kW can pare that time down to just 30 minutes. We struggled to match Land Rover’s claimed 66 km all-electric range; the best being closer to 45-50 km. Although the setup incorporates regenerative braking, it’s not as prominent as equivalent systems in the likes of Volvo’s Recharge models, with one-pedal driving requiring more throttle balancing. With careful driving within the EV range parameters and regularly topping up the battery, we saw the fuel consumption briefly hit 3.75 L/100 km. Head towards a motorway and the EV range plummets, while the combustion engine’s consumption on our fuel run climbed to 6.40 L/100 km – reasonable, but a long way off the claimed 1.5 L/100 km.
Going the PHEV route has certainly helped the Evoque become more parsimonious at the petrol pumps, and there’s no denying that its refinement and road manners remain deeply impressive. The likes of Volvo’s XC60 T8 Twin Engine AWD is more powerful and frugal, but the Evoque counters with genuine off-road ability thanks to the latest Terrain Response drivetrain management system and a wading depth matching that of the diesel model. It’s a step in the right direction, albeit with a hefty price tag.
