Value, Jeff Wilson
Surely regular forum readers will decry “nobody will cross-shop a nearly $55,000 car with one costing nearly $20,000 less”, and if a shopper is stretching his or her budget to meet the Paceman’s cost of admission, then they’re right. However, there are a significant number of fairly affluent folks who live, work and play in the downtown, requiring a car as an occasional luxury and far from a necessity.
For those shoppers, shelling out mega bucks for a tiny sports car or an over-sized luxo-barge is pointless. But both of these cars offer easy-to-park size, all-weather capability and just enough space for Biff, Muffy and their labradoodle to get out of the city for the occasional weekend away. What’s more, they do so flying the badge of a British marque now marketed as a premium brand.
  2013 Range Rover Evoque & 2013 Mini Paceman. Click image to enlarge |
So, which is the better value for the image-conscious urbanite? The Evoque Coupe starts at $48,095 in “Pure” trim. Our test car had the $4,500 Pure Plus Package that includes power-adjustable leather seating, power tailgate, parking sensors, 19-inch wheels and a gigantic, fixed-glass roof. What spending more than $53,000 does not get you is navigation, which is an additional $2,000.
The Paceman starts at $31,200 and when topped up with all the amenities found on the Range Rover (except fragrant cow hides) plus navigation, comes in at $37,580.
The smaller, lighter Mini will consume less fuel, too. Driving our test loop, (which featured divided highway and twisty back roads alike) the Paceman delivered a 9.3 L/100 km average versus the Evoque’s 11.1 L/100 km average. Both cars require premium fuel.
Score: 2 – 2.
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Conclusion
Either one of these freakish crossovers makes a unique statement about its owner. They announce to the world that the driver is too cool to buy the more practical four-door counterpart and that fashion really matters. The Mini is the more playful and economical choice, but the Range Rover Evoque has the undeniable sex appeal and gravitas. It all comes down to how much one wants to (or can) spend on relative vehicular frivolity, because each one succeeds as a fashion-first CUAV.
Competitors:
Spa membership
Diamond-encrusted bag from Tiffany’s
Condo in the city
