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car review

The fine people at Land Rover over-engineer vehicles to the Nth degree.

It’s common knowledge that the average SUV goes off-road only when the driver mistakenly veers onto a soft shoulder. But the Land Rover offering is, across the board, capable of so much more – and the 2017 Range Rover Evoque Convertible represents the latest piece of evidence.

On a sunny day, we drive the new Range Rover Evoque convertible up a ski hill...with the roof down

Posted by Globe Drive on Monday, April 4, 2016

Over the course of two days in the French Alps, we toured effortlessly along the autoroute at speeds in excess of 150 km/h while barely mussing a hair; trounced a forest trail above the town of Albertville; completed a slow-speed obstacle course set in the ice and snow; carved countless hairpin turns along mountain passes; and raced along a snow-laden snowmobile track complete with deep ruts and gravity-defying moguls. (This crossover also has a wading depth of half a metre; this measurement went unverified.)

In photos: Range Rover Evoque Convertible inside and out

The Evoque Convertible handled everything we could toss its way with remarkable ease and no small amount of style. There were moments when the word “awesome” was not out of place. After all, it’s not every day that you see a convertible articulated at bizarre angles over an obstacle with both doors and the trunk lid open – a demonstration designed to highlight the vehicle’s structural integrity.

JLR

Based on the Evoque Coupe, the convertible version has the integrity angle completely covered. With reinforced A-pillars, extra sheet metal in all the right places and aluminum rollover hoops that deploy in the most upside-down of circumstances, this drop-top gives away nothing to its fixed-roof relative. (It also adds something along the order of an extra 230 kg.)

The roof is the largest and widest convertible top on a production vehicle, according to Land Rover. This five-layer fabric construct folds neatly away behind the back seat in just 18 seconds and takes just three seconds more to rise back into place. The top can operate while the Evoque is travelling at speeds of up to 50 km/h. With the roof down and the optional windscreen in place above the rear seat, the vehicle proved surprisingly comfortable and quiet, even at highway speeds.

JLR

As of right now, the 2017 Range Rover Evoque Convertible is the world’s only convertible crossover. If it proves popular, other entries could follow. But chances are, they won’t be nearly as ready when the going gets rough.

You’ll like this SUV if ... Your bold statements of automotive individuality are, cute and cuddly.

JLR

TECH SPECS

Base price: $64,990

Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder

Transmission/Drive: 9-speed automatic/All-wheel drive

Fuel economy (litres/100 km): TBD

Alternatives: Audi Q5, BMW 2 Series Convertible, BMW 4 Series Convertible, BMW X4, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Porsche Macan, VW Beetle Convertible, VW Eos

Mark Hacking

RATINGS

Looks: Like most convertibles, the Evoque is more appealing with the top down; with the lid engaged, the sleekness of the vehicle profile gets lost in translation. Also, none of the versions of the Evoque seem to follow the golden ratio of car design: one-third glass to two-thirds sheet metal.

Interior: The base model for Canada is the HSE Dynamic, which features a slick leather interior, a nicely trimmed driving environment and an all-new infotainment system with 10.2-inch capacitive touchscreen.

Performance: The Evoque has always been fun to drive and the convertible continues this theme. The engine is spirited and the 9-speed transmission keeps the engine in the best operating range. The handling is above average for this type of vehicle.

Technology: The on-demand AWD and Land Rover Terrain Response systems are simply beyond compare in this segment.

Cargo: When the soft-top folds away, it needs somewhere to go and this somewhere has put a dent into cargo space. The trunk has a capacity of 251 litres, which is not large.

JLR

Verdict

7.5

There’s nothing like the Evoque Convertible out there … but there may be a reason for that.

The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.