Current MY13 FL2 is my 4th. Had its 2 year service yesterday.
Sales talked to me about a DS. I said I was not interested until new engine and 5 seat model with room for full size spare was available. I was informed that 5 seat model will not be available in Auto.
Tried a DS and found seating position was far too low with seat at full height (manual height adjustment), nothing like the commanding position with excellent view of road in FL2, it was like sitting in a saloon car unable to see bonnet front.
I am 5ft 7in so about average height.
Tried an Evoque and sitting in drivers seat was just like sitting in FL2. A very comfortable seating position with an excellent front view.
I think LR have a lot of issues to address with DS.
At the moment I would not buy one. 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 test drove a manual DS SE Tech and a manual Evoque Dynamic at the weekend. It was a dealer event where they had a choice of cars to drive, I wanted to drive the auto in both but the queues were quite long where as the queue for the manuals was very low.

I didnt like the DS driving position either, nor the flimsy boot floor, and lack of spare wheel (spare and 5 seats will both be an option later in the year)

The Evoque was a much better all round drive for me personally, the gearbox felt like a shorter crisper shift than the DS and the ride was possibly a bit better on the RR.

Even if i could afford a DS at the moment, I would not be looking to buy one with my own money at the moment. The Evoque is a far better car for my needs as I dont need huge amounts of space anymore and the drive was much better.

Why can't LR not give us what we want and not what they say we can have.
The Disco Sport I sat in at Halewood was a 5 seat auto.
And same if we want a petrol, its not as if they don't make them as they sell them in AUS I6 WITH GAS CONVERSION
HST BODY KIT
OSRAM LED DRIVING FOGS
CARS LOOKING GOOOOD!

I can see the bonnet on my DS, I'm 5,8. But I do have electric seat adjustment and admittedly I do have the seat raised more than I would on other LRs.

I would take the DS over the Evoque anytime, I liked my Evoque but it's quality fell way short of what's expected of a Range Rover and owners are still suffering problems that first customers suffered. So far the DS fits my needs, it ain't perfect and there's room for improvement but I've no regrets at the moment.

Each to there own but DS for me all the way.

I was back in a Fl2 today, first time since having the DS, it felt nice but did feel dated and the lack of rear legroom made it feel a bit uncomfortable. Although both share the same engines the DS is noticeably quieter but to be fair my parents Fl2 is an 11reg and has 60k on the clock.

The above ain't criticisms just observations.
 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Im 6'3'', my son is 6'6''. We could both sit in the DS ok but with the seat down and back. We had leg and head room, and there was plenty of leg room behind our seats. Just neither of us liked the driving position. The Ewok just felt 'right' to both of us.

There were no little squeaks or rattles from the Ewok, I think it had about 8k on the clock but not sure. The fit and finish felt good. By contrast the the DS was full of squeaks and rattles mainly from the boot area but also the dash creaked going round a roundabout and on the back country lane. Whether it was just a hammered test mule or what I dont know.

I just would have expected more 'quality' from a 35k car.

I looked at a DS the other day, its bigger than the Evoque, that will just go through my garage doors, the DS is just a tad wider with mirrors folded and wont so it will be an Evoque for me on that basis next, I didnt want to be spending 40 odd grand and having to leave the thing outside all the time, especially when I do have a garage to put cars in.

I'd be lucky to get a 1:12 scale Land Rover of any description in my garage, with or without mirrors folded!!

Not been a big fan of the Evoque to date, although I did quite enjoy having one as a loaner for a day.

However I saw one today in racing green with black alloys and it looked the nuts. Time to reassess...

I saw DS in the dealers last week, well two actually, one in metallic grey Orkney or similar and one in bright metallic orange,
Both the same cars but the grey looked like it was worth at least 10 grand more, the choice of colour certainly does affect the quality look of the car to a great extent, the orange didnt suit it at all I thought, the grey looked the bees knees.

My Freely is now 4+ years old (I've NEVER kept a car for more than 3 years before) and the plan is to change it before it gets to 5 years old.
I like the DS but I don't need the 7 seats, I'm not keen on the more saloon-type seating position, preferring a more command seat a la Freelander, and the DS seems, well, too big.
I am coming round to the Evoque as next car. I'll arrange a test drive.

Am I right in thinking that the Evoque already has the new 2.0L engine that is detined eventually for the DS?

Anyone else gone from FL2 to Evoque, with any experiences to share? Thanks.

... ...

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

DS can now be ordered as a 5 seater with the 2.0L 150 TD4 E-capability (4WD) manual only available in SE/Tech and HSE priced about £2k cheaper than the 5+2 seaters.

The Evoques seating position is just the same as the DS, I would say the DS is a bit better.

I went from Fl2 to Evoque and went back to the Fl2 a year after. The Evoque is a nice car to drive, great fun on country roads especially the dynamic, it's a bit short on space I only ever took one of my greyhounds out in it at a time but it's comfortable place to be. The 16MY is a bit more expensive especially for some of the options. The Evoque and DS are both available with the ingenium engine at the same time.

For me as a dog owner I would take the DS, especially now that the 5 seater is available and a bit of a price drop, it's a bit more practical than the Evoque. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Aaah! I too am a greyhound owner! Good steer! Ta! ...

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

Great dogs, it's myself and my brother who have them, we have a female and 3 males. Our female is retired from racing but our 3 males are still racing though one is on rest at the moment as he has a strained muscle in his leg. We retired one two years ago and she is living the high life lying on the couch watching TV with her new owners.

I get too attached to them and want to keep them all but no room.

Apologies to OP for straying off topic. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

couch + TV so greyhound! Ours is a retireed racer. She's 14 now so couch is a big chunk of the day! ...

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