The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible represents one of the most polarizing and ambitious chapters in modern automotive history. First introduced as a concept that many believed would never see the light of day, it eventually hit the showrooms as a production model for the 2017 model year. However, it is essential to clarify for anyone currently searching for a brand-new unit: Land Rover officially discontinued the Evoque Convertible in 2019. There is currently no second-generation version of this open-top SUV, and the manufacturer has not announced any plans to revive the format for the current L551 generation.

Despite its relatively short production run between 2016 and 2019, the Evoque Convertible carved out a unique niche that remains largely unoccupied. It wasn't just a car; it was a statement of engineering bravado, blending the rugged capability of a Land Rover with the lifestyle appeal of a high-end cabriolet. To understand why this vehicle continues to command high prices on the pre-owned market and why it remains a conversation starter, one must dive deep into the engineering, design, and sensory experience of driving a roofless 4x4.

The Design Evolution from LRX Concept to Production

The story of the Evoque Convertible began long before the first production model rolled off the line in Halewood. It started with the Land Rover LRX concept, unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. While the LRX was primarily a three-door coupe, its dramatic rising beltline and tapered roof suggested a silhouette that defied traditional SUV logic.

When Land Rover decided to chop the top off the Evoque, the design team, led by Gerry McGovern, faced a significant aesthetic challenge. Most convertibles look awkward when the roof is up, resembling a tent stretched over a bathtub. The Evoque, however, maintained its "muscular shoulder" and "striking lines" regardless of the roof's position. By utilizing a sophisticated fabric Z-folding system, the designers ensured that the vehicle retained its iconic wedge shape.

Available primarily in HSE Dynamic and HSE Dynamic Lux trims, the convertible version adopted the more aggressive styling of the Evoque family. This included deeper bumpers, enlarged air intakes, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels. The result was a vehicle that looked as comfortable parked outside a boutique hotel in Monaco as it did navigating a muddy track in the Cotswolds.

Engineering the Roofless SUV: Structural Integrity and Rigidity

Removing the roof of a vehicle is more than just a cosmetic surgery; it is a structural amputation. In a standard SUV, the roof pillars (A, B, and C) provide essential torsional rigidity—the resistance to twisting forces. Without a roof, a vehicle can suffer from "scuttle shake," where the body flexes over bumps, leading to poor handling and interior rattles.

To combat this, Land Rover engineers performed a massive reinforcement operation on the L538 platform. The underbody was heavily bolstered with an X-brace system and additional structural steel in the door sills. In our technical assessment of the chassis, these reinforcements are significant. While they successfully maintained the vehicle's legendary off-road stiffness, they came with a weight penalty. The Evoque Convertible weighs approximately 200kg (440 lbs) more than its hard-top sibling, bringing the total kerb weight to nearly two tonnes.

This extra mass had a direct impact on the driving dynamics. During high-speed cornering, the weight is palpable, but the reinforced chassis ensures that the steering remains precise. The vehicle doesn't feel like a wobbly convertible; it feels like a solid, albeit heavy, Range Rover.

The Z-Folding Roof System: A Marvel of Packaging

The centerpiece of this vehicle is undoubtedly its ebony fabric roof. Unlike older convertibles that required manual latches or bulky folding hardtops, the Evoque uses a fully electric system that can be operated at speeds up to 30 mph (48 km/h).

Roof Performance Stats

  • Opening Time: 18 seconds.
  • Closing Time: 21 seconds.
  • Operation Speed: Up to 30 mph.
  • Acoustics: The roof features an acoustic inner lining designed to mimic the refinement of the hard-top model.

In real-world testing, the acoustic lining is remarkably effective. With the roof up, wind noise at highway speeds is surprisingly low, allowing for clear conversations or high-quality audio playback from the Meridian system. When the roof is lowered, it stows flush with the rear bodywork, ensuring the clean lines of the vehicle are not interrupted by a "hump." Crucially, the roof mechanism does not compromise the luggage space. The tailgate opens to reveal a 251-liter cargo area that remains the same size whether the top is up or down—a rare feat in the convertible world where roof storage often eats into trunk space.

Performance and the Si4 Powertrain

Under the hood, the Evoque Convertible was typically equipped with Land Rover’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, often referred to as the Si4. This engine produces 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque, mated to a ZF 9-speed automatic transmission.

The 9-speed gearbox is a critical component of the Evoque experience. The first gear is exceptionally low, designed specifically for low-speed off-road crawling and towing. On the open road, the higher gears allow for fuel-efficient cruising. However, given the vehicle's weight, the 0-60 mph sprint is a relaxed 8.1 seconds. It is not a sports car, and it doesn't pretend to be. The power delivery is smooth and linear, providing enough punch for overtaking while prioritizing a composed, luxury feel.

For those concerned with efficiency, the Ingenium diesel variants were also available in certain markets, offering better torque for off-roading and improved fuel economy for long-distance touring. However, the petrol Si4 remains the most popular choice for the lifestyle-oriented buyer who values quiet operation.

Off-Road Capability: A True Land Rover

One might assume that a convertible SUV is a "soft-roader" designed only for city streets. That assumption would be wrong. The Evoque Convertible retains the full suite of Land Rover’s all-terrain technologies, ensuring it can go places a BMW 4 Series Convertible or an Audi A5 Cabriolet could never dream of.

Terrain Response System

The heart of its off-road prowess is the Terrain Response system, which allows the driver to select specific modes based on the ground conditions:

  1. General Driving: The default mode for balanced on-road performance.
  2. Grass/Gravel/Snow: Optimizes traction on slippery surfaces by adjusting throttle response and gear changes.
  3. Mud & Ruts: Provides maximum grip and allows for some wheel slip to clear mud from tire treads.
  4. Sand: Maintains momentum by sharpening throttle response and holding gears longer.

In our field tests, the "Sand" mode proved particularly enjoyable with the roof down—a unique experience of feeling the desert air while the AWD system expertly managed torque distribution between the wheels.

Wading Depth and ATPC

The Evoque Convertible boasts a wading depth of 500mm (nearly 20 inches). Optional Wade Sensing technology uses sensors in the door mirrors to provide real-time water depth information on the touchscreen. This is combined with All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC), which acts like a low-speed cruise control for off-roading. You can set a speed between 1 mph and 18 mph, and the car will manage the braking and acceleration, leaving you to focus solely on steering through obstacles.

Interior Luxury and Infotainment

Inside, the Evoque Convertible is every bit a Range Rover. The cabin is wrapped in premium materials, with Oxford leather seats featuring twin-needle stitching. In the HSE Dynamic Lux trim, the front seats are both heated and cooled, which is essential for convertible driving in varying climates.

The dashboard is dominated by the InControl Touch Pro system, featuring a 10.2-inch widescreen display. This was a significant upgrade over the earlier Evoque systems, offering a more tablet-like interface with pinch-to-zoom functions and customizable home screens. The system integrates navigation, phone connectivity, and the 13-speaker Meridian sound system, which is specially tuned to compensate for the acoustic challenges of an open-cabin environment.

Seating and Practicality

While the front seats offer ample room and a "command" driving position, the rear seats are more intimate. As a four-seater, the rear is adequate for children or short trips for adults, but the high beltline can feel a bit claustrophobic for rear passengers when the roof is up. However, once the roof is down, the sense of space is limitless. A wind deflector is available and highly recommended; it clips over the rear seats to reduce cabin turbulence at speeds above 50 mph, though it does render the rear seats unusable while installed.

Safety: The Deployable Rollover Protection

One of the primary concerns for any convertible buyer is safety in the event of a rollover. Land Rover addressed this by developing a sophisticated Rollover Protection System (RPS). Two aluminum bars are hidden within the rear bodywork. In the event of a detected rollover, these bars deploy in 90 milliseconds, creating a survival space for the occupants when combined with the reinforced A-pillars.

Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with a suite of driver assistance features, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a 360-degree camera system that makes parking this wide-shouldered SUV much easier in tight urban spaces.

The Driving Experience: A Subjective Review

Driving the Evoque Convertible is a unique sensory experience. When the roof is down, the visibility is unparalleled for an SUV. You lose the massive C-pillar blind spots that plague the standard Evoque, giving you a 360-degree view of your surroundings.

On a winding coastal road, you notice the weight, but the suspension—featuring MagneRide adaptive dampers on some models—does an admirable job of keeping the body flat. The steering is light but communicative enough for a luxury cruiser. The most surprising element is the refinement. Land Rover clearly spent a lot of time on aerodynamics; with the windows up and the wind deflector in place, you can maintain a conversation at 70 mph without shouting.

However, the "attention factor" cannot be ignored. Even years after it was discontinued, the Evoque Convertible draws stares. It is a rare sight, and its unusual proportions make it a standout in a sea of generic crossovers. For some, this is the main draw; for others, it might feel a bit too ostentatious.

Buying a Used Evoque Convertible: What to Look For

Since you can no longer buy a new one, the used market is the only gateway to Evoque Convertible ownership. Because it was a low-volume, high-priced vehicle, many examples have been well-maintained by their first owners. However, there are specific areas to inspect:

  1. Roof Mechanism: Cycle the roof several times. Listen for any straining from the motors or clicking sounds. Check the fabric for wear marks, especially at the folding points.
  2. Structural Integrity: On a test drive, listen for excessive creaking from the interior plastics when going over speed bumps or turning into steep driveways. This indicates how much the body is flexing.
  3. Service History: Ensure the 9-speed ZF gearbox has been serviced according to the schedule. These transmissions are complex and require high-quality fluid changes to remain smooth.
  4. Off-Road Wear: Check the underbody for scrapes. While the car is capable, many owners never took them off-road. A pristine underbody is a good sign of a "city life" vehicle.
  5. Infotainment Updates: Ensure the InControl Touch Pro has the latest software updates to avoid lag or connectivity issues with modern smartphones.

The Legacy of the Open-Top SUV

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible wasn't the first convertible SUV—the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet holds that dubious honor—but it was arguably the first one to make the concept look premium and desirable. It proved that a niche could be created where none existed, catering to the buyer who wanted the height and safety of an SUV with the freedom of a cabriolet.

While the model has been discontinued, its influence is seen in the bold designs Land Rover continues to produce. It remains a collector's item for those who value individuality over mass-market appeal. Whether it will ever return to the Land Rover lineup remains a mystery, but for now, it stands as a testament to what happens when a brand decides to "go above and beyond" the traditional boundaries of automotive design.

Summary

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible is a rare breed of vehicle that successfully combined luxury, off-road capability, and open-air freedom. Although production ended in 2019, its reinforced chassis, Z-folding roof technology, and distinctive style ensure it remains a sought-after model for those who want to stand out. It offers a genuine Range Rover experience, complete with Terrain Response and a high-end interior, packaged in a body style that defies convention.

FAQ

Is the Range Rover Evoque Convertible still in production?

No, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible was discontinued in 2019. Land Rover currently only produces the five-door version of the second-generation (L551) Evoque.

How many people does the Evoque Convertible seat?

The vehicle is a strict four-seater. The rear cabin is divided by a central console, providing two individual seats for rear passengers.

Can the Evoque Convertible go off-road?

Yes. Unlike many other lifestyle convertibles, the Evoque Convertible features Land Rover's full Terrain Response system, four-wheel drive, and a 500mm wading depth, making it highly capable on various terrains.

How long does it take to open the roof?

The fabric Z-folding roof takes 18 seconds to open and 21 seconds to close. This can be done at speeds up to 30 mph (48 km/h).

Does the folding roof take up trunk space?

One of the key engineering features of the Evoque Convertible is that the roof stows into a dedicated compartment that does not change the 251-liter cargo capacity, regardless of whether the roof is up or down.

Is the Evoque Convertible safe in a crash?

Yes, it features a reinforced body structure and a deployable Rollover Protection Device that pops up from the rear deck if a rollover is detected, protecting the passengers' head space.