Item: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible 2016-2018
Rating: 3.5

Is the Evoque Convertible a fad or something more?

Naturally, part of Land Rover’s hefty point is that this is obviously not a Boxster. Instead, it's an easy to get in, take anywhere, fashionable to be seen in compact SUV. To some extent, adopting that viewpoint helps mitigate the convertible’s core weakness – that it isn’t as good to drive as a standard Evoque.

This is unsurprising. Making high-sided, high-ground clearance cars feel responsive, agile and well-mannered is already witchcraft, and no-one wields a bigger broom than Gaydon. That the convertible generally toddles about adequately is creditworthy; that it doesn’t ride with particular aplomb nor go round a corner with the regular Evoque's savvy is understandable.

It is also, if you’re locked into the idea of the car’s other charms, broadly acceptable. Put the Z-fold roof down, and the novelty of being up high is normally enough to distract you from the mild scuttle shake and the two-tonne strain being placed on the tyres.

Take it off-road, and the Evoque-effect upshifts into genuine charm. Green laning, it’s fair to say, achieves a whole new dimension when you’re ducking under branches and cheerily chatting with passers-by.

The novelty of finding a convertible in the woods generally means the goodwill flows both ways – unusual in the relationship between walkers and byway-drivers – and the lidless car draws a similar amount of bemused attention when parked in town.

That’s fine and dandy, and continues the Evoque’s extrovert streak, adding credence to the idea that Land Rover’s recent 'gut feelings' have generally paid off.

That the Evoque Convertible works off-road (four-wheel drive is standard, as is the model’s healthy ground clearance), is not slow (thank 317lb ft of Ingenium torque for that) and manages to be peaceably refined with the roof back on, only enhances its standing.

Nevertheless, it remains decidedly niche. As with the three-door Evoque, the Convertible’s practicality is limited by the lack of space in the rear and – owing to the roof’s stowage – is seriously impeded by the matchbox proportions of the boot, which ought to have a fold-down tailgate, but instead gets the nuisance of a lift-up one.