Let's be sensible for a minute. SUVs
by design are inefficient for the road. They're big,
heavy, and guzzle fuel. And if you listen to the media
and environmental hippies, they kill trees, plants, and
animals, melt the polar ice caps, and will one day be the cause
of worldwide destruction. They also have less space than
a minivan and handle much worse compared to sedans and
stations wagons. But none of this really matters to an
SUV buyer. And when you look at the typical owner who
considers accidentally driving on the curb
'off-roading', they make no sense at all for them to own
and drive an SUV in the first place. The only thing the
modern SUV has going for it is style, and there is no
better example of this than the new 2012 Land Rover
Range Rover Evoque and 2011 BMW X6.
The Evoque and X6 are
sized and priced differently but their objectives are
the same: to sell style rather than substance.
To exemplify my point, Land Rover has gone to the depths
of SUV hell to bring in Victoria Beckham to help with
the styling. So what is the Evoque trying to evoke
exactly? Feminism? Metrosexuality? Everything about the Evoque puts fashion above all else. The absence of two
rear doors for instance takes away practicality (yes,
there will be a five-door version). The
high beltline impairs driver visibility. The base engine
will be a turbocharged 2.0 liter inline-four which will
probably end up crippling
towing capabilities. And at 171 inches long, it's 8
inches shorter than a Honda CR-V. The Evoque's paltry
dimensions can even make the BMW X6 look practical.
That's saying a lot considering the X6 has less cargo
room than a Honda Fit. Form has triumphed over function
in every possible way. They should've just called it the eVogue.
If you ignore all the impracticalities of the Evoque
however
and focus just on the design, Land Rover may have a
sales winner. You have to admit it looks good, real good. The
muscular face, attention to details, and sportier body
are sure to appeal to many potential buyers. The Evoque
obviously takes much of its design from other Land Rover
models but with more emphasis on sportiness. For
instance, traditional Land Rover styling traits like the
"floating" roof are included but it slopes downward
slightly along with a rising beltline. Buyers will even be able to choose
from three different styling themes: Pure, Prestige, and
Dynamic. Depending on what you choose, the Evoque gets
fitted with varying bits like different grilles,
bumpers, sills, and up to 20-inch wheels.
The only fault with the design that some might consider
are the proportions. When Land Rover was trying to
miniaturize the Range Rover, they forgot to apply the
same scale to the front end. The result is an oversized
front and shrinking rear. It's like the Hayden Panettiere of SUVs. It's petite, looks good, but the
head is too big for its body.
Buyers can expect the usual in terms of features of the
Evoque. A terrain management system is included but that option
will probably be utilized just as often as the owner
does his (or more likely, her) own oil changes. Instead,
buyers may opt for the two-wheel version, the first time
offered on a Range Rover (heresy for Land Rover fans).
Another Land Rover first is the inclusion of a panoramic
roof more likely to be enjoyed while staring up at
skyscrapers rather than the great outdoors.
The X6 in comparison also goes for the fashion-conscious
but to a greater extent. All-new back in 2009,
the X6 doesn't play up the fine exterior details like
the Evoque does but the sloping roofline is sure to get
more attention. Only those who truly put style above
sense would choose an X6 over an X5. You get less cargo
space than the smaller BMW X3 and pay a $10,000 premium
over the X5. What do you get in return? Things that make
no sense for an SUV such as a twin-turbocharged V8 that
will propel you to 60 in 5.2 seconds. It also has as
much grip as some sports cars but you end up sacrificing
ride quality and off-road ability.
When you sum it up, the Evoque and X6 are pretty much
pointless. There are better SUVs out there that do
pretty much everything better (the Land Rover LR4 and
BMW X5 for example). Land Rover and BMW are only
appealing to the fashionista crowd. If you fall into
that category, the BMW X6 will probably get more stares
but not because it looks better, but because the
roofline is so unusual. The Land Rover then may be the
better choice for the über-trendy but what self-respecting man could drive
an SUV styled by Victoria Beckham? If Ryan Seacrest is
your hero, then the Evoque may be the perfect choice. |
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