Trendy Evoque to stay at top of tree

So perhaps the convertible version – which again divides opinion – will prove another big success when it appears in dealer showrooms in the spring.

The new version, with what is claimed to be the longest folding roof in the business but which still has room for four adults, will start at £47,500 – near the price of a fully stacked hard top Evoque.

Like the coupe, the convertible is Land Rover going boldly where it's never been before. So it's likely there will be plenty of interest in what is billed as the world's first luxury compact SUV convertible, which will come with four wheel drive and the option of manual and automatic gearboxes.

But it will also share something with the newly upgraded Evoque coupes – probably the lowest running costs in the sector, with fuel economy, CO2 emissions and running costs that would leave even some small family hatchbacks green with envy.

For, as part of its makeover, the Evoque gets the lightweight and highly efficientl 2.0 litre Ingenium turbo diesel built at Jaguar Land Rover's Wolverhampton plant.

It is 18 per cent more efficient than the 2.2 litre Ford engine it replaces, helping the Evoque to trounce the opposition on running costs – it isn't only its fuel economy but also the advanced Ingenium engine allows for much longer intervals between service – now two years.

The 150bhp, two wheel drive version with manual gearbox is capable of up to 68mpg according to official tests and a mere 109g'm of CO2 – making it the most efficient Land Rover ever, and a class leader.The more powerful 180PS version is equally impressive, with figures of 59mpg and 125g/km of CO2.

There is still a two litre, 240PS petrol option for those who value ultimate performance over economy.

The test car was the £32,200 entry level with 150bhp, two wheel drive and a manual gearbox. It is well equipped as standard, but start adding some of the many option packs and the costs soon build up. This car, for example, had an upgraded navigation kit (£600), a panoramic sunroof £900), a premium sound and connectivity system (£2,250) and a convenience pack (£1,800).

The fully stacked, all singing, all dancing version comes in at £51,500.

Bearing in mind that this was still the entry level model, the Evoque instantly felt livelier, quieter and even more refined than its predecessor, perhaps because of the significantly lower weight and lower noise levels from the Ingenium engine.

It doesn't feel big or heavy on the road, more like a family hatchback in fact, and feels equally at home on busy streets, the motorway or country lanes.

The brakes on the new model are bigger and more powerful, and the chassis and suspension have been revised, providing a slightly more supple ride and sharper handling.

Style and status (that Range Rover badge) are undoubtedly big factors in the Evoque's success, but it is also very capable. Even two wheel drive versions have a raft of electronic helpers to keep you safe and on the move in bad weather, but all wheel drive versions have serious off-road ability which might surprise those who haven't experienced it.

New models now have the innovative 'All-Terrain Progress Control' seen on bigger, more expensive Land Rover and Range Rover cars. Just press the appropriate button (mud and ruts, snow and so on) and the car does the rest, constantly adjusting vehicle settings to maintain traction and make progress.

The refined nine speed automatic gearbox seen in other Jaguars and Land Rovers became an option last year. Nine gears might seem a bit over the top, but it is very responsive and means, for example, a lower ratio ideal if you venture off road and a higher 'top' for quieter, more refined cruising (and fuel economy).

From the outside, the new car is still instantly recognisable as an Evoque: it would be a brave man who changed too much on a car like this. But it does have a new front bumper with wider air intakes, a choice of grille designs and a new rear roof spoiler with built-in stop lamp. There is also the option of the company's first LED adaptive headlamps, which follow steering inputs allowing you to see deeper into corners.

But it's inside the Evoque where you'll see most changes, including new seats, new instrument binnacle and the new 'InControl Touch' screen. It's a computer in the car which comes with a range of capabilities (and of course prices). The top of the range option fitted to the test car doesn't only control functions such as hands free phone, CD and DVD play, radio and navigation. You can also pair it up with a standard smart phone and use any 'apps' you have.

While the Evoque has always been a luxury SUV, it seems to have gone up a grade with improvements to the interior. You get an Oxford leather steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons,electric, multi-adjustable front seats, rear seats with a centre armrest, grained perforated leather and satin brushed aluminium trip, and interior mood lighting. The automatic air conditioning, which has separate vents for the rear passings, has an air quality sensor which automatically switches to automatic recirculation if detects anything unpleasant in the air.

Driver aids include a heated front windscreen, electric windows and mirrors, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking.

The compact SUV sector of the car market is where manufacturers are currently doing battle for sales and that shows little, if any, sign of waning as barely a month goes by without a new model being launched.

But the Evoque, Land Rover's fastest selling model ever, has established itself at the top of the tree and this revamp will help to keep it there. More luxury, more equipment and technology, more refinement and a better driving experienc – yet with some of the lowest running costs. It has to be a formula for continued success.