Interestingly European road test Nissan/Kia/DS/Hyundai - scarry association and
Kia wins!
Australian road test Jeep/Evoke/DS/Q5 - Q5 wins DS second only because of off-road cred!
Unfavourable mention of old fashion interior (HSE LUX) - which I totally agree with, something that really disappointed me and questionable road manners implying maybe rear suspension not quite sorted!
I hope LR have got their marketing people on it as it seem rather hap-hazard atm
Just a rewind!! In Australia at least!! Freelander 2 always compared against
Volvo/BMW/Audi and Freelander 2 always came second to BMW OR First if comparing
Off-road, with no other SUV on market coming close and believe me over here they give them serious
Outings!!
Again hope LR marketing got their act together and not be arrogant about DS in the market place!
New DS's hit showroom in 2 weeks. Will be interesting to see how it goes after initial interest! The Australian SUV market is extremely competitive! MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

The DS suspension is certainly not right, a step in the right direction but not right.
The recent Halewood trip we had an off road demo drive, we had two cars, an Evoque and a RHD DS, not UK spec, it had 5 seats and a spare wheel.
It became apparent during the track test that the DS was unable to clear the crests on the specially designed for Freelander/Evoque course, I imagine that with a heavier UK car and possibly 6 passengers it wouldn't have made it around.
My business partners came along to have a look at the DS, their Kia is due for change soon. The are going for the Evoque simply because it handled better, and noticeably it was silent around the track, the DS creaked and groaned its way around.
It would seem too, that other LRE courses are being 'softened' to accommodate the DS.
With the talk over engines, price reductions and spec changes, I am beginning to think the DS has come out to soon.

We have a diesel Evoque in the family. If you can get away with a bit less space it is a great car. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Funny you should make that comparison. I was looking at a evoke dynamic last week and couldn't believe how small it felt but even more alarming was when a closed the doors My Freelanders doors close with a real "thud"! The car just feels well made! Evoke was not what I expected!
Anyhow not here to "can"
I've only been able to get up close and personal with a DS HSE lux that even the dealer admitted had seen better days, interior light console fell out when I closed the door
I'm looking forward to getting into a brand new one to give it a fair assessment but the comparison test only confirmed the interior issue for me unfortunately.
Again, I'm only 6 months into Freelander 2 ownership but damn it's a fine bit of machinery, very happy!!! I hope they sort out any issues with the DS, we need this model to work ! MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

Looking at the 'What Car' test (Kia, Nissan, LR, Hyundai...) I found it difficult to tell them apart in profile. They look very similar, all in thrall to the god of fuel efficiency I suppose.

At least the Freelie is an interesting and different car. I still love it. ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Yes I must agree! We have a vehicle called a Ford Territory here and the resemblance is embarrassing!!
I'm sure they will sell more DS because of this "generic" look as it appeals to the masses, something that's not on my list (including 7 seater) so Freelander 2 was ideal!
But if there comparing DS to Kia/Hyundai/Nissan/Toyota/Holden(GM)/Ford then I'm afraid LR have got marketing issues !! MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

Although it is a bit alarming how similar it is...looking *just* at the side profile is a bit disingenuous; the front is distinctly LR and the rear is, er, quite distinctive too... FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

Holden Captiva
Ford Terriory
Nissan Qashqai/xtrail
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sorento
I don't think the DS is distinct enough in this category and as the DS supposed to be pushing LR up in this segment I don't think being generic against the above competitors is going to help it compete in the BMW/Audi/Volvo competition which is ashame! MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

I had a Vauxhall Antara (Chevrolet/Holden Captiva) before I got my current FL2. Had always loved the looks of them and still do, but shocking build on them. Suspension just crashed and banged all over the place and not very economical in comparison.

The Hyundai just seem to be cheap plastic interiors of the ones Ive been in but the Kia seems to be a very good car, (Sportage and Sorento)

however all are quite a bit cheaper than the DS at entry level, and that counts for a lot.

Thought I was gonna really like the ds, we parked next to a hse one on Monday, but can't put my finger on why I not so keen, I don't dislike it but I think I have to agree with my son, he said that car looks cheap which is so unlike land rover, and it's not , I like the front not the rear, if I came back to the lr maque I think it would be a eqvoue , but really happy with our new xc60 

Click image to enlarge

re side profile pics: the SUVs in the 'luxury' category also look very similar!

Here's the Volvo SC60, Audio Q5 and BMW X3 (DS included too for reference)








 FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

Finally got a good look inside a few DS's at the dealer. They are arriving by the truckload here in the states at last.

Still quite pleased with our current Freelander 2 at the moment. While I like the DSport, not nearly enough to jump. Now, maybe if there were some new upcoming versions?!

Here we only get the 2.0L petrol engine currently.
Launch Edition - Quite nice looking IMO.
SE - base model.
HSE -
HSE Luxury -

Soon to be offered?

Diesel engine option would be welcome over here IMO.

SVX Edition?! Please. Please.

Autobiography? Not likely, but Evoque finally got one. Although it's a Rangie.

Wonder what else they have in the works? Wait...you get 17in steel wheel options, diesel engines, manual transmissions, cloth seats, optional sunroofs and G4 kit!

taztastic wrote:

The DS suspension is certainly not right, a step in the right direction but not right.
The recent Halewood trip we had an off road demo drive, we had two cars, an Evoque and a RHD DS, not UK spec, it had 5 seats and a spare wheel.
It became apparent during the track test that the DS was unable to clear the crests on the specially designed for Freelander/Evoque course, I imagine that with a heavier UK car and possibly 6 passengers it wouldn't have made it around.
My business partners came along to have a look at the DS, their Kia is due for change soon. The are going for the Evoque simply because it handled better, and noticeably it was silent around the track, the DS creaked and groaned its way around.
It would seem too, that other LRE courses are being 'softened' to accommodate the DS.
With the talk over engines, price reductions and spec changes, I am beginning to think the DS has come out to soon.

Price reductions reflect the new 5 seaters, I had an Evoque as a loner while the DS got its rear seat squeak fixed and yes it was fun to be back in one but I wouldn't have one if given it for nothing. A lot of talk over the new engine but my old, tried and tested engine is getting mid 40s to low 50mpg on a long run, LR are claiming this new engine will get 57mpg wow should've waited plus requires Adblue no thanks.

Not surprised the DS didn't make it around the track suited to Fl2 as its approach/break over/departure angles are all less.

As for creaks other than my rear seat squeak, caused by LR playing around trying to figure out if my car was affected by the recall (now fixed) mines silent. What I did note was the load space cover caused a few creaks, mines in the shed, don't need it.

Has the DS come out too early? No. Should I have waited for the new engine? No. Do I regret my purchase? No

One thing though it will most definitely be my last LR, until such a time they launch a main stream petrol engine, not just a high performance one for top models. I would've been more impressed if they met EU6 without the use of AdBlue, which is the only reason it has lower Nox than the PSA engine, yes it's a bit smoother and a couple miles more MPG, not exactly progress.

Each to their own, some love it, some hate it. It ain't perfect but I haven't owned a Land Rover that is.
 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

The DS has the brilliant Ford 2.0L Ecoboost engine in Australia, auto only, I wouldn't have a manual anyway. It is ridiculous you can only get a diesel engine. But the petrol only comes as an SE down under. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Just a couple of photos, took it for a good run the other day, really enjoying the car, the only thing that bugs me is the lack of height adjustment for the front seat belts, WHY? Also changed the reverse light bulbs to LEDs as the originals were pathetic, the actual reverse lights are pretty small, so no matter how bright the bulb light is limited.

I did notice that the HSE 150 TD4 E-capability 5 seater, is £2.2k cheaper than the 180 TD4 and my 190 SD4, that probably would've been the one I went for had it been available at the time. Some confusion around the E-capability cars as some mistake them for 2WD, they ain't, they're 4WD but 5 seaters only and get a blue badge wow, but they do have rather horrid looking alloys.


 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200