The Evoque’s cabin has a smattering of thoughtful and premium touch points, which only serve to highlight the odd decisions elsewhere. The steering wheel paddles, for example, are beautifully-hewn chunks of satin chrome; they tinkle expensively when you tap your nails against them. The seats are comfortable and supportive, while the 11.4-inch center touchscreen is bright and charmingly curved.
It makes the decision to surround the dinky transmission shifter (which doesn’t come anywhere close to the quality feel of the paddles) with a featureless swathe of blank plastic all the weirder. Especially since Range Rover could really have done with moving some of the commonly-accessed features out from the touchscreen. Locating the Evoque’s drive modes requires swiping out a shortcut menu, for instance; changing media volume demands a swipe up or down the screen.
Despite what the spartan panels might imply, the Evoque’s cabin is actually well-equipped even in base “S” trim. Heating for the front seats and steering wheel, a Meridian sound system, leather seats, wireless phone charging, a sliding panoramic glass roof, power liftgate, parking sensors, and dual-zone climate control are all standard, along with that big infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a fully digital driver’s display.