A current Range Rover for £8000? How to bag a bargain Evoque

Comparing old and new, Mike Cross, Land Rover's former dynamics guru, said: "The latest model is just as much fun to drive, but it's also better at being a Range Rover ." There, in a nutshell, is what separates the Evoque 2 from its forebear-and from its rivals. Even more stylish, roomier, plusher and with even better off-road chops than the Evoque 1 , the Evoque 2 is, after seven years on sale, still able to hold its own against newer competitors. Offered in five-door form only, it arrived with Terrain Response 2, which detects the surface being driven on and adjusts the set-up to suit.

Depending on the trim it also had ClearSight Rear-View Mirror, a camera-based rear-view display, and, borrowed from later Mk1 Evoques, a Wade Sensing option that displays the water level as you approach the maximum 600mm wade depth (100mm deeper than the Mk1). Mild hybridisation for the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines was also now on the table. The exceptions were the 148bhp D150 and later 163bhp D160 diesels, which were paired only with front-wheel drive.

A manual gearbox was an option on these versions, too, where all other models, petrol and diesel, were automatics, either nine-or eight-speed, and four-wheel drive. Sitting above the entry-level diesels were, at various times, the 178bhp D180, 237bhp D240, 163bhp D165 and 197bhp D200. Opt for the powerful but economical D200 and you won't go far wrong.

A 2022/22-reg D200 MHEV R-Dynamic S auto 4WD with 40,000 miles costs around £17,000. Petrol Evoques are thinner on the ground but free of the DPF and timing chain issues that can bother the diesels. At various times, the line-up has comprised the 197bhp P200, 247bhp P250 and 296bhp P300.

The 304bhp 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid P300e arrived in 2020 with 34 miles of electric-only driving. It was replaced by the 265bhp P270e in 2023, with 39 miles of EV range. From a price and performance perspective the best-balanced engine is the P250; a 2022/22-reg P250 MHEV R-Dynamic S auto 4WD with 44,000 miles is around £18,500.

The driver of an Evoque 2 occupies a lofty position in a spacious cabin that has ample head and leg room. That comes at the expense of the boot, though, which is on the small side. Material quality is excellent, and on earlier models the infotainment system is reasonably intuitive.

With the 2023 facelift the exterior gained a revised grille, LED lights and bumpers, but the interior adopted a minimalist theme that rendered the new 11.4in touchscreen infotainment system frustratingly button-free. Talking trims, all Evoque 2s have dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and a reversing camera (with surround view from 2020). S adds 18in wheels, powered leather seats and a Pro version of the infotainment system, its key benefit being the ability to receive over-the-air updates.

SE trim brings 20in wheels, an electric tailgate and blindspot monitoring. HSE adds a Meridian sound system, which top-spec Autobiography augments with 21in wheels and a panoramic roof. R-Dynamic trim gives an S, SE and HSE a sportier flavour.

There are other premium SUVs available but, to paraphrase Mike Cross, none comes with the Evoque 2's hotline to the world's best. What to look out for... Engine: On diesels, blue smoke suggests turbo problems.

Old but low-mileage cars may have done lots of short journeys, which clogs DPFs and EGR valves. Feel for a seamless transition from electric to petrol power on petrol hybrids. Gearbox: Check the nine-speed ZF auto gearbox responds promptly (the popular P300e has an eight-speed Aisin 'box).

Specialists recommend fresh fluid for both 'boxes every four to six years, with the Aisin being a particularly time-consuming refill. Suspension, brakes and tyres: Where fitted, check the adaptive dampers make a difference to ride comfort in each mode. If possible, also check the Terrain Response 2 system does what it should both automatically and manually.

The Evoque is heavy, so be sure there's plenty of life in discs and pads. Fresh, premium tyres suggest careful ownership; check the tyre pressure monitoring system reads. Body: Use the remote to check the car locks and unlocks and the handles deploy.

In 2019 a recall was issued for a faulty windscreen or rear screen washer system. Check it was actioned. Inspect the body and underside for damage: R-Dynamic trim reduces the approach and departure angles, so be sure front and rear undersides are okay.

Interior: The cabin has had recalls for a faulty fuel gauge, for speedos switching between mph and kph and for badly programmed SRS warning lights. Only some cars were affected; check yours. Scroll through the infotainment system to make sure everything responds, that your phone pairs and that the speakers don't randomly go quiet.

Also worth knowing If you have ever climbed a blind summit in your 4x4 wondering what's on the other side or even glanced a high kerb in a city, you'll be wishing for an Evoque with ClearSight Ground View. It uses forward-facing cameras to make the bonnet apparently transparent so the driver can 'see' the ground beneath via the touchscreen. The feature won Autocar's 2019 innovation Award.

How much to spend £7000-£9999 High-mile diesels up to 2020-reg. £10,000-£14,999 Mostly D150 and D180 diesels with reasonable mileages in middle-order trims, up to 2021-reg. £15,000-£19,999 Big choice of engines, from 2020-22-reg, many below 50k miles. £20,000-£27,999 Petrols, hybrids and diesels, with R-Dynamic the main trim. Most around 30k miles up to 2024-reg. £28,000-£34,999 More of the above but mileages below 10,000. £35,000-£50,000 Nearly new cars below 5000 miles. An owner's view Jon Chell: "I've owned my 2021-reg Evoque, a 1.5 P300e S auto, for a year .

It has suffered a few electrical issues, but none that couldn't be fixed with a reset . It has now done 56,000 miles . It's quick for a heavy SUV, but we use it mainly for commutes in electric mode .

My old 2013 Toyota RAV4 had a bigger boot, but otherwise the Evoque is a practical car .