Page 24 - Motor Trend (January 2020)

SUVOTY I Contenders
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

PRO Hasn’t lost its looks • Or its sporty handling • Or its off-road chops
CON It costs how much? • Jittery on-road ride • Quality concerns already
f the half-dozen former Of unfortunately, also stands out— Quality issues, though, soured On-road, Cortina, Priddle, and
The Year winners present reaching $67,190 as-tested. them. The P250’s head-up display Seabaugh each specifically
O at our 2020 event, the What do you get for that buzzed on poor pavement, and praised its nimbleness—but
Range Rover Evoque looks and kind of dosh? The interior, which the P300’s snazzy steering wheel then dissent began to creep in
feels like it has changed the least. continues to be a grab bag of stitching was coming undone. The again as judges took digs at the
Several judges had a hard time Jaguar and Land Rover parts, double touchscreen setup in both “dimwitted” transmission and
believing this edition actually nonetheless looks hip and vehicles was a bit slow and had a over-stressed base P250 engine.
rides on a new platform and isn’t modern with its digital instrument tendency to freeze momentarily, Then there’s the ride quality,
just a midcycle update. screen, pop-up infotainment and the P300’s screens required which received no better review
That said, the Evoque remains screen, and combination analog/ a full 20 seconds to boot up after than “harsh” or “rough.”
a crowd pleaser. This is still a digital lower control screen. engine start. Whereas the original Evoque
sharp and distinct product, Judges were particularly fond This dynamic carried over was a home run, the new one is a
obviously a Land Rover but a of the tweed inserts on the P300 to driving impressions, as well. solid double. Unfortunately, it’s
standout in a sea of two-row HSE R-Dynamic’s doors, seats, Treated like a Land Rover, it made still priced like a home run.
luxury crossovers. Its price, and center-console armrest. us all fans on the off-road course. Scott Evans

SPECS Range Rover Evoque P250 Range Rover Evoque P300 HSE (R-Dynamic)
Base Price/As Tested $43,645/$59,215 $56,795/$67,190
Power (SAE net) 246 hp @ 5,500 rpm 296 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 269 lb-ft @ 1,300 rpm 295 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 9.0 sec 8.1 sec
Quarter Mile 16.8 sec @ 81.3 mph 16.2 sec @ 84.5 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 129 ft 129 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.77 g (avg) 0.80 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 28.5 sec @ 0.62 g (avg) 27.9 sec @ 0.63 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 20/27/23 mpg 21/26/23 mpg P250

Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission 2.0L turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4/9-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist)
P250 4,300 lb (59/41%) P300 HSE 4,394 lb (59/41%) Wheelbase 105.6 in Length x Width x Height 172.1 x 75.0 x 64.9 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy P250
169/125 kW-hr/100 miles P300 HSE 160/130 kW-hr/100 miles CO2 Emissions, Comb P250 0.86 lb/mile P300 HSE 0.84 lb/mile

Lexus UX

PRO Decent value story • Fantastic fuel economy • Smooth transmission
CON Gutless powertrains • Molar-rattling ride • Useless in snow/dirt

lthough priced in line with easier. Fuel economy is about the
the outgoing CT 200h best you can find for a crossover
Ahatchback, the Lexus from a premium brand.
UX isn’t so much an entry sport However, it’s downright cynical
utility—especially when there’s no that a luxury brand would offer oval that mimics snowdrifts. The Loh defended the UX’s use
AWD option on the base engine— an engine with a meager, thrashy hybrid’s AWD system even over- case for drivers who might like
as it is a tall compact hatchback. 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. “I heated, requiring a tow. the high seating position and
“The UX is an unbelievable refuse to believe it hits 60 in 8.5 Inside, Lexus did its homework. fashion-forward styler.
value,” the proudly frugal Zach seconds,” Evans said. Plus, the The driver’s surroundings are All this aside, you still need
Gale said. But Seabaugh called UX’s jarring ride—thanks to its “modern and handsome, with to look at it every morning. You
the UX “truly disappointing” by economy car roots—is appalling. clear investment and quality fit/ might be used to the grille by
the same metric. Lexus doesn’t give ground finish,” Loh said. However, the rear now, but the manga-influenced
The smooth CVT (one the best clearance measurements for door aperture is tiny, and second lines are startling. But some folks
executions we’ve found) will make the UX; all we know is we got row is claustrophobic. The UX see the beauty in such beasts.
a stop-and-go commute much repeatedly stuck in the silty-sand 200’s hatch area is trifling. Mark Rechtin

SPECS 2019 Lexus UX 200 2019 Lexus UX 250h F-Sport
Base Price/As Tested $33,175/$40,450 $37,175/$42,685
Power (SAE net) 169 hp @ 6,600 rpm 143 hp @ 6,000 rpm + elec motor; 181 hp comb
Torque (SAE net) 151 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm 132 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm + elec motor
Accel, 0-60 mph 8.5 sec 8.3 sec
Quarter Mile 16.5 sec @ 85.6 mph 16.3 sec @ 87.3 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 129 ft 128 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.78 g (avg) 0.80 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 28.2 sec @ 0.62 g (avg) 28.1 sec @ 0.62 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 29/37/33 mpg 41/38/39 mpg 250h
Vehicle Layout 200 Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV 250h F-Sport Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission 200 2.0L
DOHC 16-valve I-4/1-speed auto + cont variable auto 250h F-Sport 2.0L Atkinson-cycle DOHC 16-valve I-4 plus fr/rr elec motors/1-speed auto
+ cont variable auto Curb Weight (F/R Dist) 200 3,327 lb (60/40%) 250h F-Sport 3,626 lb (57/43%) Wheelbase 103.9 in Length x Width x Height

177.0 x 72.4 x 60.0 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy 200 116/91 kW-hr/100 miles 250h F-Sport 82/89 kW-hr/100 miles CO2 Emissions, Comb 200
0.60 lb/mile 250h F-Sport 0.49 lb/mile