At first glance the Range Rover Evoque Convertible doesn't make a lot of sense.

A convertible SUV may seem like a strange concept, but the Evoque isn't the first. The original Land Rover was available without a roof and the Jeep Wrangler has had a removable lid its entire life.

Of course those are very different propositions to the luxurious Range Rover, which is more about looking good and getting the wind in your hair while exploring the wilds of nature, like the Land Rover and Jeep.

But with new car buyers flocking to SUVs at a record rate, and with no sign of it slowing down, it makes sense to give them a new choice. After all, the idea of high performance SUVs and coupe-style SUVs would have seemed mad a decade ago - now they are becoming increasingly common.

Range Rover wants to be seen as a style leader, so has taken the leap first into this potentially new segment of the market.

Just because it is unique doesn't necessarily mean it is right. So how does the Evoque Convertible stack up in the Australian summer.

What do you get?

Range Rover understands this will be a niche model, so has opted for a small, high-end range with just two trim lines - SE Dynamic and HSE Dynamic - and two engine choices, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and 2.0-litre turbo diesel.

The range starts at $84,948 (plus on-road costs) for the petrol-powered SE and $85,343 (plus on-roads) for the diesel SE we're testing here. The HSE range costs $92,800 (petrol) and $93,195 (diesel).

Standard equipment for the SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights, keyless entry and ignition, leather trim, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Land Rover's new premium infotainment system, the 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro with navigation, is also included in the price. There are plenty of options available, which can easily pull the price into six-figure territory.

What's inside?

Design is at the heart of the Evoque. It stayed true to the original LRX concept when it became a production car, including the three-door 'coupe' variant, and the Convertible continues that style-focused initiative.

As such the interior remains unchanged from the rest of the range, featuring horizontal lines and premium trim including leather and aluminium.

The new infotainment system arrived with the updated Evoque range that went on sale in 2016. The screen is wider than most (more rectangular than square) but it offers excellent functionality for the car's various stereo, navigation and car settings.

Space is good up front and no different from the rest of the range. The back seat is obviously an altogether new story thanks to the folding fabric roof. Getting in and out isn't any more difficult than a conventional convertible car and once back there space is respectable; shoulder room is tight but knee and head room is adequate enough for adults.

The boot, however, is highly compromised because of the folding soft-top. Luggage space is limited to just 251-litres, down significantly from the 550-litres claimed for the three-door coupe and 575-litres for the five-door model.

The boot opening is quite small too, so getting larger items in can be difficult. But there is enough space for your weekly shopping or a couple of soft overnight bags.

Under the bonnet

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel produces a respectable 132kW of power and 430Nm of torque.

While diesel may not be the stylish choice for such a fashionable convertible - and the 177kW turbocharged petrol engine offers a tempting alternative - it does a good job motivating the Evoque.

That healthy amount of torque is on tap from just 1750rpm so there is good pulling power when you take-off. It is a refined engine too, with little of the noise penetrating the cabin, even with the roof down.

The standard nine-speed automatic transmission can't earn the same praise, however. As is the case with the rest of the updated Evoque range the gearbox struggles to maintain its composure at times, often stumbling awkwardly through the ratios. It can be caught out when you call for a sudden burst of acceleration too.

But the shifts are smooth when you are on the move and the wide spread of ratios does help the Evoque achieve an impressive claimed fuel economy figure of just 5.7-litres per 100km.

On the road

The Evoque Convertible may be about making a style statement, one which will make it popular in the well-heeled suburbs of Australia, but as it wears a Land Rover badge it must still be capable off-road.

Land Rover's four-wheel drive and All Terrain Progress control systems are both standard, along with Hill Descent Control, to ensure it is just as comfortable getting down and dirty as any of its siblings. Our time in the Convertible, both in Australia and overseas, showcases an impressively strong chassis with no noticeable flexing, which means it is at ease climbing over rocks even with the roof down.

In raw numbers the Evoque Convertible boasts a 19 degree approach angle, 31 degree departure angle, 18.9 degree break over angle, 500mm wading depth and 208mm of ground clearance.

But that comes at the cost of 200kg of additional chassis bracing and strengthening, which has a detrimental impact on the way it drives on sealed roads. It feels heavier than its hard-top equivalents and that means it can be slow to react at times, especially in dynamic situations.

The suspension has also been stiffened to compensate for the extra mass, which means the ride is firmer and can crash over sharp bumps.

But that isn't to suggest it isn't a pleasant car to drive. It still performs likes a proper luxury car, with a quiet and refined on-road presence. And dropping the roof doesn't impact that, with good wind protection, at least for the front seat occupants.

Verdict

If you look past its unique position in the market, the Evoque Convertible presents a strong alternative for anyone looking to buy a BMW 4-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class or similarly luxurious drop-top.

It offers the same open-air driving experience, similar interior space, equally high-level of design and familiar dynamic compromises. But it does so packaged in a high-riding SUV body, which perfectly fits the current sales trend.

If you want a Convertible that will turn as many heads as the Evoque did during our time your best bet is the Ford Mustang, but its recent crash testing score raises question marks over its safety and it simply cannot match the Range Rover for details - or off-road ability.

• For all the latest information visit our Range Rover showroom.

2017 Range Rover Evoque Convertible SE Dynamic Td4180 pricing and specifications

Price: From $85,343 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 132kW at 4000rpm

Torque: 430Nm at 1750rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

Fuel use: 5.7L/100km

The Competitors

BMW 420i Convertible

Price: From $85,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 135kW
Torque: 270Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, RWD
Fuel use: 6.2L/100km
Our score: 6/10

Mercedes-Benz C200 Cabriolet

Price: From $85,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 135kW
Torque: 300Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, RWD
Fuel use: 6.9L/100km
Our score: 6.5/10

Ford Mustang Convertible EcoBoost

Price: From $54,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 233kW
Torque: 432Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, RWD
Fuel use: 9.4L/100km
Our score: 5/10