This Thing Is Like That Thing: New Range Rover Evoques Other Brands

The all new Range Rover "Evoque" evokes something all right, and it's possible Range Rover enthusiasts will not be pleased.

Making its public debut at the Los Angeles auto show this week, and now available in both two- and four-door "dynamic" models, fans are chattering that the new Range Rover looks a lot like, well, a lot of other vehicles.

At first glance we see the bastard child of a Ford Flex and a Lexus RX 11. But there are clearly other models that can be compared to the Evoque, like the Kia Soul. It even 'evokes' the Mini Cooper. What it doesn't look much like is a Range Rover; and that might be a problem.

Gone is the Rover's boxy pedigree that, even in its latest urban-focused luxury incarnations, still shone through. The Range Rover now looks more like a sports car than something that one would trust on a safari.

But don't take our word for it. By all means check out what a lot of people are saying around the web:

"it certainly doesn't look like a Range Rover anymore… looks more like a Nissan."

"This facelifted Mini Crossover looks much better than standard…"

"my first impression however was a Kia Soul..."

"I am a big Land Rover fan, but this car is abominably ugly. The most extreme expression (so far) of the 'Honey, I squashed the back of the car' design trend."

Could this off-brand "Posh Rover" be the result of the carmaker's partnership with Victoria Beckham?