Range Rover Evoque Convertible vs Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet ~ station of gear

Range Rover Evoque Convertible vs Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet - header

Range Rover's Evoque meets the Mercedes C-Class in a battle of 2016's coolest cabrios

2016-08-20 10:00

Soft-top SUVs aren't exactly common, but in creating the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible, Land Rover hopes to follow the regular car's meteoric sales by adding an extra dimension to the experience.

With summer in full swing, it's time to see if this niche model makes sense. After all, aside from some utilitarian 4x4s, it's the UK's first convertible SUV, and has caused controversy as Land Rover tries to satisfy buyers' growing demands.

• Convertible megatest 2016

It doesn't have any direct rivals, but with prices from £47,500, it sits in the firing line of another new open-top four-seater, the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet. While this is a traditional drop-top based on a coupe, Mercedes offers it with 4WD. Factor in diesel power, and it's closer to the Evoque than initial impressions would suggest.

So is the Evoque Convertible a pioneer? Or is this a niche too far for Land Rover?

Head to head

Roof tech

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Range Rover Evoque Convertible vs Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet - roof openings

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The roofs of the Evoque and C-Class open with the touch of a single button, and the process can be carried out at speeds of up to 30mph in the Range Rover and 37mph in the Mercedes.

Land Rover offers a wind deflector to go over the back seats, but you don't really need it. Mercedes' effective Aircap system is fitted as standard.

Cabin comfort

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Range Rover Evoque Convertible vs Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet - C-Class rear seats

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Both these cars are genuine four-seaters, but passengers in the back of the C-Class will suffer from less wind buffeting thanks to the Aircap system that diverts airflow over the cockpit. Mercedes fits its Airscarf as standard, too; this blows warm air on to the necks of occupants sitting up front.

Personalisation

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The Evoque can be upgraded with the £2,075 Black styling pack, while Mercedes offers brown, red or blue roof colours - depending on the body colour - at no extra cost. You can also add 19-inch multispoke wheels with run-flat tyres for £595.

Verdict

First place: Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet

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In the end, the C-Class Cabriolet makes a far more convincing drop-top than the Evoque Convertible. While neither car sets the world on fire for performance or handling, they deliver refined roof-down luxury, and the Mercedes offers a more upmarket feel than the Range Rover while costing less. Add in lower everyday running costs and a more practical cabin, and it wins here.

Second place: Range Rover Evoque Convertible

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It was a brave move to chop the top off the Evoque, but the overall result is pretty successful. The car's cabin is quiet and refined with the roof down, and there's enough room for four inside. The Evoque comes second here on account of its higher list price and running costs, plus its less practical interior. However, we're convinced it will still sell by the bucketload.

Also consider...

New: BMW 435d xDrive Convertible M Sport

BMW 4 Series 435i Convertible tracking front

Price: £49,605

Engine: 3.0-litre 6cyl, 313bhp

The 4 Series Convertible forgoes a cloth roof for a complex folding metal top. This adds weight, but looks dramatic in operation, while the most powerful diesel in M Sport spec has more than enough power to compensate for the extra kilos it's carrying.

Used: Bentley Continental GTC

Price: £50,000

Engine: 6.0-litre W12, 552bhp

If you want to cruise in style and make an impact, a 2007 Continental GTC with fewer than 30,000 miles on the clock is a similar price to these two. You still get 4WD, but there's an engine with 200mph potential - plus steep running costs to go with it.

Facts and figures

	Mercedes C 220d Cabriolet 4MATIC AMG Line Prem Plus	Range Rover Evoque Convertible 2.0 TD4 HSE Dynamic
On the road price/total as tested	£44,600/£50,060	£47,500/£55,955
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)	£20,070/45.0%	£24,558/51.7%
Depreciation	£24,530	£22,943
Annual tax liability std/higher rate	£2,310/£4,619	£2,743/£5,487
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)	£1,753/£2,921	£1,723/£2,872
Ins. group/road tax band/cost	34 (est)/E/£130	39/F/£145
Servicing costs	£35p/m (3yrs)	£499 (5yrs)

Length/wheelbase	4,686/2,840mm	4,370/2,660mm
Height/width	1,409/1,810mm	1,609/1,980mm
Engine	4cyl in-line/2,143cc	4cyl in-line/1,999cc
Peak power/revs	168/3,000 bhp/rpm	178/4,000 bhp/rpm
Peak torque/revs	400/1,400 Nm/rpm	430/1,750 Nm/rpm
Transmission	9-spd auto/4WD	9-spd auto/4WD
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel	66 litres/repair kit	54 litres/£160
Boot capacity/turning circle	360 litres/11.5m	251 litres/11.3m
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight	1,805/480/1,800kg	1,967/508/1,500kg
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery	3yrs (unltd)/3yrs	3yrs (unltd)/1yr
Service intervals/UK dealers	Variable/147	21k miles (2yrs)/130
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.	12th/20th	22nd/25th
Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars	92/84/77/5 (2014)	86/75/41/5 (2011)

0-60/30-70mph	7.9/7.5 secs	10.2/10.6 secs
30-50mph in 3rd/4th	3.2/4.4 secs	3.7/4.0 secs
50-70mph in 5th/6th/7th/8th	6.5/8.1/9.8s/N/A	6.2/7.8/9.1/14.3 s
Top speed/rpm at 70mph	140mph/1,350rpm	121mph/1,550rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph	51.9/33.9/11.0m	52.7/32.9/8.9m
Roof time up/down	20.8/18.3 secs	18.3/15.0 secs
Noise (roof up) out/idle/30/70mph	68/47/62/70dB	72/48/62/70dB
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range	34.7/7.6/504 miles	35.3/7.8/419 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined	48.7/60.1/56.5mpg	42.2/55.4/49.6mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined	10.7/13.2/12.4mpl	9.3/12.2/10.9mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket	218/134g/km/26%	214/149g/km/29%

Airbags/Isofix/park assist/360 cam	Seven/yes/yes/£335	Seven/y/£935/£645
Auto box/stability/adaptive cruise ctrl	Yes/yes/£1,695	Yes/yes/£1,220
Climate control/leather/heated seats	Yes/£795/yes	Yes/yes/yes
Met paint/LED headlights/keyless go	£645/yes/yes	Yes/£1,035/yes
Nav/USB/Bluetooth/wind deflector	Yes/yes/yes/yes	Yes/yes/yes/£260

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