Once again Land Rover has earned “Best Premium Brand” in the U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards, this 2018 recognition being the fifth of such awards bestowed on the British luxury sport utility brand.…
Land Rover has once again earned “Best Premium Brand” in the ALG Residual Value Awards, while this 2018 Discovery Sport won “Best Premium Compact Utility.” (Photo: Land Rover)
Once again Land Rover has earned “Best Premium Brand” in the U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards, this 2018 recognition being the fifth of such awards bestowed on the British luxury sport utility brand.
ALG is considered an industry benchmark for residual value forecasting and other types of depreciation data, in both the U.S. and Canada. Of note, last year Land Rover earned the same award for the Canadian market by taking home a Residual Value Award in every segment it competed in, 2017 being its third consecutive win. The third-party analytical firm has yet to announce its Canadian results, but Land Rover’s success in the U.S. is newsworthy just the same.
The new Discovery won ALG’s “Best Premium Mid-Size Utility 3rd Row Seating.” (Photo: Land Rover)
As part of its 2018 Best Premium Brand win, Land Rover’s U.S. division was awarded top accolades in four separate categories including “Best Premium Compact Utility” for the Discovery Sport, “Best Premium Mid-Size Utility 2nd Row Seating” for the Range Rover Sport, “Best Premium Mid-Size Utility 3rd Row Seating” for the new Discovery, and “Best Premium Full-Size Utility” for the full-size Range Rover.
This is the eleventh consecutive year for the ultra-popular Range Rover Sport to take home its award, making it an excellent bet for premium SUV buyers who want to retain as much value as possible in their new vehicle purchase after three years of ownership.
The Range Rover Sport has won “Best Premium Mid-Size Utility 2nd Row Seating” for the 11th time in a row. (Photo: Land Rover)
The annual ALG Residual Value Awards are given to a vehicle based on its predicted ability to retain its original price after three years of purchase. Awards are meted out in 26 categories, while one mainstream volume brand (Subaru for 2018 in the U.S. and 2017 in Canada) and one premium luxury brand get overall awards too.
“Land Rover continues to push the envelope with innovative new products, and design and technology that keeps the brand at the front of the pack in the competitive luxury utility space,” said Jim Nguyen, president of ALG. “Consumers have responded to Land Rover leadership with demand that continues to outpace supply, resulting in top residual values in the premium space.”
ALG award winners are chosen after carefully studying all the competitors in each category, including their historical performance and industry trends. Other deciding factors include model and brand quality, production levels relative to market demand, plus pricing and marketing strategies.
Land Rover’s Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque are already very popular in their respective classes, but that hasn’t held the British automaker back from making them even more competitive. In…
All Discovery Sport trims get improved performance for 2018, with top-line models receiving 286-hp. (Photo: Land Rover)
Land Rover’s Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque are already very popular in their respective classes, but that hasn’t held the British automaker back from making them even more competitive.
In fact, both models received all-new Ingenium engines for 2018, the 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinder now designed and built totally in-house. Along with similarly powered base engines to their predecessors, the two SUVs also get the option of a much more powerful variant.
The more powerful engine can be added to Evoque HSE and HSE Luxury trims, increasing acceleration dramatically. (Photo: Land Rover)
Entry-level models receive similar output numbers to their forebears at 237 horsepower compared to 240, and 251 lb-ft of torque instead of 250, while a class-leading adaptive shift program enhanced nine-speed automatic aids both performance and efficiency.
Speaking of performance, top-tier Discovery Sport and Evoque trims can be had with a 286 horsepower version of the same engine making 295 lb-ft of torque, allowing the Evoque to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 6.4 seconds, which is 1.2 seconds quicker to 100km/h than the outgoing Evoque, plus 4 km/h faster overall at 221 km/h (132 mph). Also impressive, the base Evoque shaves 0.3 seconds from the old model, completing its zero to 100km/h run in just 7.3 seconds.
The 2018 Evoque Convertible doesn’t get the most potent powerplant, but the new base engine makes it quicker just the same. (Photo: Land Rover)
The larger Discovery Sport is much quicker with its upgraded engine too, zipping from zero to 100km/h in only 6.7 seconds and topping out at 221 km/h (132 mph) just like the faster Evoque, while the new base model achieves the feat in just 7.6 seconds compared to 8.2 seconds in the outgoing SUV (the seven-passenger Disco Sport hits 100km/h in 7.9 seconds), and once again manages a terminal velocity of 200 km/h (124 mph).
The new Ingenium gasoline engine lineup was designed and gets made totally in-house. (Photo: Land Rover)
The innovative Evoque Convertible doesn’t feature a high-output version yet, but the new base engine nevertheless increases zero to 100km/h performance from 8.6 seconds to 8.1, while its top track-speed grows from 180 km/h (112 mph) to 217 km/h (135 mph), which is now the same as the outgoing and current five-door base Evoque’s top speed.
The new engine features a higher-pressure fuel injection system with upgraded injectors, while the exhaust manifold is now integrated within the cylinder head for quicker warm-up and more immediate turbo response. The high-output variant also includes an upgraded turbocharger with unique bearings resulting in more power, quicker response and better overall efficiency.
The new engines improve performance across the range, while a 9-speed auto and four-wheel drive remain standard with both SUVs. (Photo: Land Rover)
If you want the more potent engine in the Discovery Sport you’ll first need to step up to HSE or HSE Luxury trim, which sport Dynamic exterior and interior styling plus equipment upgrades. Both trims get exterior modifications including a sportier front fascia design with deeper air intakes and other unique trim details all around the SUV, plus HID headlights with LED signatures, fog lamps, auto-dimming side mirrors with memory, and a fixed panoramic sunroof, while the cabins get a heatable sport steering wheel as well as driver’s seat memory, perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats, front parking sensors, a garage door opener, etcetera.
Land Rover 4×4 capability is legendary, with even the smallest Range Rover Evoque performing well off-road. (Photo: Land Rover)
Specific HSE Luxury features also include unique exterior trim, proximity keyless entry, illuminated aluminum treadplates, upgraded interior trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, navigation, 380-watt Meridian audio, higher grade perforated Windsor leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, a powered gesture liftgate, and more.
Of note, the Discovery Sport is impressively equipped in base trim with features like off-road capable four-wheel drive boasting Terrain Response and All Terrain Progress Control, trailer stability assist, auto on/off headlamps, power-folding heatable side mirrors with approach lamps, an electromechanical parking brake, pushbutton ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone auto climate control, rear parking sensors, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, a rearview camera, partial leather upholstery, 10-speaker audio, three USB ports with charging, Bluetooth phone connectivity with streaming audio, ambient interior lighting, and more.
The Discovery Sport has built a strong reputation for off-road competence. (Photo: Land Rover)
With the Evoque, the zestier engine comes in HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims, and like the Disco Sport this sportier Evoque gets a reworked front fascia, 20-inch alloys, bright square exhaust pipes, adaptive and configurable dynamics, auto high beams, a sport steering wheel, bright metal sport pedals, Windsor leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a Homelink universal garage door opener, 10-inch infotainment, upgraded navigation, WiFi, plus other exterior and interior enhancements, while the Autobiography adds unique exterior trim, adaptive HID headlamps with LED signatures, upgraded interior finishings, 14-way powered front seats with forced ventilation and memory, specially embossed Windsor leather upholstery, 16-speaker 825-watt Meridian audio, and more.
A new Range Rover Evoque Landmark Edition provides unique styling and features for good value. (Photo: Land Rover)
At the other end of the Evoque spectrum, a new value-focused five-door Landmark Edition combines the less formidable engine with unique dark grey gloss finished 19-inch seven-split-spoke alloy wheels, a choice of three exterior colours including Yulong White, Corris Grey and exclusive Moraine Blue, plus a standard Carpathian Grey contrast roof, Graphite grey and gloss black exterior trim, an Ebony black interior with Lunar stitching and dark satin brushed aluminum inlays. Additional Landmark Edition features include fog lamps, auto-dimming side mirrors, proximity keyless access, a powered gesture rear liftgate, and a more powerful eight-speaker audio system.
The Evoque provides a luxurious interior, with the Landmark Edition getting unique trim and features. (Photo: Land Rover)
It should be noted the base Evoque is already a very well equipped SUV, with standard features that include off-road capable four-wheel drive with Terrain Response and All Terrain Progress Control, handling-enhancing torque vectoring, power-folding side mirrors with approach and puddle lights, an electromechanical parking brake, pushbutton ignition, a heatable leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a colour TFT multi-information display within the primary gauge cluster, dual-zone auto climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front and rear parking sensors, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a rearview camera, navigation, heatable 12-way powered front seats, leather upholstery, and much more.
The Discovery Sport is priced affordably yet provides premium materials and equipment. (Photo: Land Rover)
The new 2018 Evoque Landmark Edition starts at $54,000, which is just $4,100 more than the $49,900 base SE model, while the more powerful engine in HSE Dynamic trim can be had from $64,500, and the Evoque Convertible can be had from $66,000.
Despite being larger the Discovery Sport remains Land Rover’s entry-level SUV and one of the more attractively priced vehicles in its class at just $43,500 plus freight and fees, while the quickest Discovery Sport variant is available from $53,300.
