The original Evoque was a development of the Land Rover LRX concept vehicle, which was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008.

ERAD was designed to reduce CO2 emissions by an average of 20% under the NEDC test cycle and was expected to offer another 10% reduction in extra-urban driving situations while also optimizing the off-road ability of the vehicle.

Land Rover aimed to achieve 120 g/km CO2 emissions and fuel economy of 60 mpg‑imp (4.7 L/100 km; 50 mpg‑US) on the European combined cycle with an efficient 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine based on PSA DW12.

Typical Land Rover design traits aim at improving off-road performance included a prominent driving position, hill descent control, and useful approach and departure angles.

A Land Rover first was an air intake system integrated into the roof that offered exceptional wading capabilities, though this feature did not make it to the production model.

Electric motors folded the rear seats forward, providing enough room for two mountain bikes to be fitted upright, with front wheels removed and stored in dedicated slots in the floor.

The production-model Evoque retained nearly identical bodywork from the LRX concept vehicle, including the cabin-length panoramic sun roof.

[10] Land Rover markets the Pure as the minimalist version rather than the "base model", while the Prestige adds luxury options and the Dynamic focuses more on performance.

The Evoque uses unibody rather than body on frame construction with a kerb weight of 1,670 kg (3,680 lb) and an aluminium bonnet and roof, as well as a composite one-piece tailgate.

[15] Standard equipment includes accent lighting located throughout the interior, push button start and a 5–inch driver's information display.

Options include a panoramic fixed sunroof; heated seating, steering wheel, and windscreen wipers; and an 8–inch touch screen entertainment system that can display separate images to both the driver and front passenger.

The tested model was a right-hand drive, five-door with a 2.2 diesel engine registered in 2011: The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) rated the Evoque four out of five stars for crash safety, scoring 32.49 out of 37.

Internally the 10 inch centre screen was an option then became standard, new technology includes driver assistance and the convenience features (Park Exit (to automatically exit parallel parking bays), Perpendicular Park (to position the car centrally in parking bays), Closing Vehicle Sensing and Reverse Traffic Detection (to warn drivers of oncoming traffic), Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition and Wade Sensing), optional Land Rover InControl connected car system, new colour options for exterior and interior, four new alloy wheel styles, a new style of Land Rover badge on the grille, wheel centres and tailgate.

These early 2016 Coupes are in short number Available in coupé or 5-door body styles, it is a version of the Range Rover Evoque with a 285PS/400Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine, revised chassis for sharper handling, 350mm front brake discs, Land Rover InControl Apps, forged 20-inch alloy wheels in satin technical grey, exterior trim components detailed in Santorini black, new design of grille, lower front valance, new fog light surrounds, 'Autobiography' illuminated tread plates, ingot badging on the tailgate and front wing vents, darkened headlights, clear tail lamps, Santorini black contrast roof, body-colour side trim visually lowers the vehicle a dynamic plus leather interior with either sports or premium climate seats in a range of four colours, Autobiography embossed logo at front seats, dashboard with dark brushed aluminium trim, Active driveline and torque vectoring by braking.

Production of the Evoque started on 4 July 2011, at Land Rover's Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool, with the first customer deliveries in September.

[31] Motor Trend contends that the Evoque is the necessary evolution of the Land Rover brand to stay competitive in a more environmentally conscious marketplace.

Initially, Chinese authorities did not take any action regarding Land Rover's request; however, on 22 March 2019, after four years of X7 sales, a Chinese court ruled that Landwind had copied five unique design elements and ordered a cease of production and sales immediately, in addition to paying Jaguar Land Rover compensation.

This includes retracting door handles, smoother surfacing, and a new infotainment system with a second touchscreen with integrated knobs for climate settings.

The Evoque P300e plug-in hybrid model is a combination of a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged Ingenium petrol engine and an electric motor on the rear axle, with a system output of 227 kW (304 hp; 309 PS) and 55.06 kg⋅m (540 N⋅m; 398 lbf⋅ft) of torque.