At the top end of the DS price range the Touareg is worth a look (3-litre V6, torsen diff drivetrain, even air suspension and low range in the Escape version). Or, of course, a nearly-new D4.

Lower down the range the Forester is a good car, albeit not quite as good as the FL2, plus the dealer network seems to be contracting rapidly and some of the dealers remaining I would avoid.

I'm not familiar enough with the current Jeep range to comment, but some seem to like them.

Things like the X3, new Jag, etc, are road cars, so you might as well just buy a proper road car!

Best option is probably a newer FL2. Or (my current plan) just run your current one until it falls apart!

When it comes to 'proper' 4x4s (as opposed to jacked up sports saloons) there's very, very little around.

Purplemadboy wrote:

I like the look of the Ford Edge , good spec too.

Pab , loads of reviews of the 2015 edge on YouTube . They are North American reviews the car will be tweaked for the European market. Do it now ! Your a long time dead !!

It appears it was the Explorer I was thinking of. The Edge doesn't have the terrain response system or other off-road toys, so doesn't really appear to be a competitor for the FL2 - more Tiguan, Yeti, X3, etc.

Renegade for me - but it would need to be in Dark WW2 Green

A mate of mine had maniac attempt to commit suicide by ramming his car head on into mates kuga , both at speed.
My mate was bruised battered but not crucially injured , the kuga impressed everyone with its strength and crumple zoneiness
The maniac survived but was in a terrible state, still to ill to appear in court 12mths on At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

My current FL2 is 20 months old with 17k on clock. Intend to keep till 4 years old, 2 free services and 1st MOT still to have FOC,part of deal when I bought. So paying 1 year LR warranty will be first expense in that area apart from tyres. Already have new 18" Evoque wheels, Originals in garage.
Will possibly be last LR as I will be approaching 80 by that time.
Merc Class is good as 2nd car but getting too low for easy in/out.
Lots of good smaller SUV types, Peugeot 2008, Vauxhall Mokka, Suzuki SX Cross, to name but a few. Might even look at Ford B-Max. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

I had a new shape Kuga from June 14 - Nov 14. A 163 Titanium X. Lots of toys and space inside (more so than a Freelander) but 163 bhp had no torque compared to SD4. The solution is the 180 bhp that has just been launched - as long as you can live without decent off road capability you'll be fine. Corners well and averaged 40mpg with ease over 7000 miles. They just look the wrong side of chav with privacy glass and 19" wheels.

However I would wait for a lower spec DS  Now:
17MY Discovery D5 2.0 HSE (Carpathian):

Gone::
(04/17): 16.5MY Discovery Sport HSE (Waitomo)
(08/16): 16MY Discovery Sport HSE Lux Auto (Corris Grey + Black pack)
(11/15): 15MY Freelander 2 Metropolis SD4 (Loire blue)

I will be looking to purchase around the middle of the year when various factors come together for me. A while ago I was contemplating a brand new FL2 (first time ever for a new car, usually buy about 2 years old, but was tempted this time). That plan is obviously out the window.
I am just not tempted by the new DS at all, for mainly the same reasons as everyone else. Also the FL2 was bigger than my ideal motor, so going bigger still is a negative. To me the DS looks like it should be part of the RR family rather than LR.
My current thinking will be to get a near new (ish) FL2 this time... then see what is around in 2/3/4 years.
A Defender Sport might be ideal or maybe possibly the rumoured "baby DS". Currently a FL1 owner.

By the time I get round to getting a replacement I will be probably pushing up daisies,

Land Rover. Historic vehicle!

Jeep. Hysterical vehicle! 1998 300TDi Auto Disco, never to be forgotten.
2008 Auto TD4 Freelander2, now gone?
2013 Auto SD4 Freelander!
A proud member of Landytown.com
Visit our blog at
http://paullizlifeontheopenroad.blogspot.com/ updated October 2017

Lots of useful suggestions already, thx!

If anyone manages to test drive any of the alternatives suggested, it would be great if they put some review comments in this discussion topic, for us all to read and benefit from.

I have a fantasy that someone in LR is monitoring comments here about reactions to the DS, and taking notes for future models! Unlikely perhaps, but who knows?!  Life is not a dress rehearsal!

After a very bad warranty repair experience at LR on 8 month old SD in 2011 I spat the dummy and bought a 2012 pre reg pre faceliftl Toyota RAV 4 Auto. Very reliable and had cruise, rev camera, voice bluetooth, heated leather etc It had diff lock up to 12mph BUT if still felt like a 10 year old model. Noisy horrible gearchange, far too small a fuel tank, poor fuel consumption even on motorway cruising, very bad road noise and 10k service intervals.
Old fashioned ignition key and heavy bonnet with no rams.
Bit the bullet ang got rid of it for Merc 200CDI.
2013 SD GS with 18" Evoque Alloys, Happy Bunny All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Much as I love the Defender, it is unacceptable for me as a primarily road going car - a shame that Landrover have allowed it to wither on the vine.
Am very impressed with the Scubydo Forester - modern, compact, but rugged and well made. Much loved by owners.
Another vehicle which has a good fan base is the Itchypussy Shogun. Hard to believe that when it came out it was similar price range to a Disco 3. The Disco 4 has since then turned into a vastly more expensive vehicle - starting at £41 K as opposed to a 4 door Shogun at about £28K. Obviously a Disco 4 is a much better road car and more capable off road - providing that all the high tech toys keep working, but for someone buying a car with my own money I doubt if I would want the stratospheric out of warranty running costs of a D4 - I could buy a Shogun or a Forester and a small hatch back for less dosh than a D4.
Sadly the Disco Sport falls way short on all fronts - I would prefer to keep running my Freely2 which has been the best car I have ever owned.

I think about in a years time we will be changing our freelander. Really can't decide on what to go for. I just can't see the DS fitting the bill. Too expensive and I don't like the looks. The wife is quite adamant that it should be a land rover, or at least a chunky 4x4.

I like the shogun, but the wife thinks that for the money you'd be better getting an rr or disco.

I would love a defender 110, but I think that would take some convincing.

Having only got my 2nd FL2 6 months ago I'm not currently looking to change just yet.

However I am thinking towards a Defender 90 XS spec, preferably the 2.4 or 2.2 TDCI as the interior is more 'day to day' friendly than TD5, even if the on road experience isnt much different.

The DS is a nice looking car, but as has been said before it now just blends into all the other 4x4 out there. I see similarities with the Kia Sorento amongst others.

Apart from the Range Rover range (and the current proper Discovery shape) LR are in danger of just merging into the market and no longer standing out from the crowd.

If you see a FL1, FL2, Disco 2/3/4, then you know instantly its a Land Rover (who knows what the future Defender will actually look like.

So for me, my next car will be either a later model FL2 than I currently have, or a Defender 90 XS.