I have had my Disco Sport now for just over a week, and done just over 500 miles in that time. So what do I think after 9 1/2 years of Freelander 2 ownership?

I will try to be as honest as possible, and I won't bad mouth the Freelander in anyway as I got brilliant service from them since 2007.

Styling

Yes, I accept the Disco Sport is not to everyones taste, and it has taken me some time to get used to the more rounded shape. If you look at the New VW Tiguan, it is actually a more box like shape like the Freelander that what the DS is.

But I have come to really like the styling, it is modern and fresh, and when you look back at a Freelander 2, it does make it look a little dated. Something I didn't really notice until living with a DS 24-7.

Engine & Gearbox

Personally, I would not entertain the DS with the old 2.2 engine. The reason being is that if I am going to buy a new model of car, then I wouldn't want the old engine in it.

My car has the 180PS 9-Speed automatic, and the engine is just fantastic. Extremely quiet and almost hushed as you cruise along at 70mpg, with the only real noise is a little tyre noise (I have 20" wheels), some may not like that but it has never really worried me.

When driven normally, the gear change from the 9-Speed automatic, is almost seamless, with the only thing giving the game away that you have changed gear, is the rev counter dropping. I haven't yet found the car hunting for gears like some press reports have said. If you drive it hard, then of course you get that diesel feel at higher revs, but more hushed than the old 2.2 and a lot quieter than the X3's 2.0 diesel. I hate to say it, but I think for engine noise, it is only just beaten by the Audi Q5's 2.0 TDi.

MPG

Our car has appears to be averaging about 36/37 MPG, which is about 6/7 more than the old Freelander, but it has been used for pretty much town work since we have had it. Time will tell if it ultimately becomes a more economical car.

Interior

Despite the DS having a lower roof line, it is only 16mm lower than Freelander 2, although visually it looks lower. The drivers seat in it's lowest position is just 1 1/4" inch lower than the Freelander's drivers seat in it's lowest position.

The DS seat can be raised to be at the same height as the Freelanders with the steering wheel being adjusted to suit. I am 6ft and even in a high seat position there is still plenty of headroom.

The controls and infotainment system are very easy to use, and dash is simple in its layout. Better than the Freelander? Thats a matter of choice. I didn't have a problem with the Freelander, and I haven't on the DS.

The seats are extremely comfortable just like the Freelander so no complaints there.

The little things that disappoint and look cheap are things like the passenger side from window switch. This single switch is fitted to a panel the same size as the drivers panel that has four switches, and looks a bit cheap. It is well hidden on black interiors, but stands out like a sore thumb on the light interior cars.

Equipment wise, model to model, the Freelander can't complete. THE DS HSE for example, has more kit in than the Freelander HSE Lux. Some of the features are very impressive.

Its a shame they in effect put Evoque clocks in. Not ugly but would have been nice to see some less 'blingy! clocks.

Also, despite many comments and I can only speak for my own car, it doesn't squeak, doesn't rattle and doesn't have any knocks anywhere in the interior.

Drivability

This was the bit I was worried about, but glad I didn't have to!

The steering and drivability of the DS is so much more sure footed than the Freelander with more precise steering and feel, and the suspension is a little firmer without being over the top like the X3.

But it still feels and drives like a Land Rover. So glad they haven't lost that LR feel.

The bits I don't like are :-

Fuel tank :- 54L, which means you will be visiting the fuel station a lot more than the 67L Freelander on the basis the mpg turns out to be similar. If it ends up being nearer to 40mg as an average compared to 30mpg then its justified. But I would have preferred a larger tank.

The third row of seats have actually become useful the other weekend, but it would have been nice to have a proper cover over the third row of seats and the DS doesn't. Even the Vauxhall Zafira does!

So over all I am over the moon with the car, a leap forward from the Freelander, which is something I never thougt I would say, but at the end of the day, it should be, because if JLR failed to make it better than the Freelander then they have failed miserably.

Very glad I made the move. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Fair review

Bit confused by your comment re cover - you should have retractable boot cover or do you mean seat covers

Inka make oem covers for LR so check their website if it's seat covers you want

I only achieved 35 mpg average during ownership http://www.fuelly.com/car/land_rover/disco...els/407938 Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

See I think it has lost the LR feel, it's too car like, and it's one of my concerns over the D5, though the D5 does have a higher seating position. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

muddywheels wrote:

Fair review

Bit confused by your comment re cover - you should have retractable boot cover or do you mean seat covers

Inka make oem covers for LR so check their website if it's seat covers you want

I only achieved 35 mpg average during ownership http://www.fuelly.com/car/land_rover/disco...els/407938

j77 wrote:

See I think it has lost the LR feel, it's too car like, and it's one of my concerns over the D5, though the D5 does have a higher seating position.

I like the DS, so does the Mrs, she prefers it to my Freelander, probably due to the reversing camera the loan car I had and her caution reversing my car. I have had both manual and auto versions and like the auto, gearbox seemed good to me. The boot seemed bigger as well and I like the rear seats can slide, this means the nipper can't get dirty feet on the back of the front seats. The only reason I didn't get one was due to pennies, or lack of them.

Maybe for my next car.

Gav.

The seat backs when folded are the carpet and I had a non slip mat in boot for dog crate so never bothered me

The gap between floor and middle row seat backs was annoying though - things fell through

I think LRs are now designed to appeal to Audi and BMW owners and judging from members on discosportforum seems to have worked Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

Mav71 wrote:

j77 wrote:

See I think it has lost the LR feel, it's too car like, and it's one of my concerns over the D5, though the D5 does have a higher seating position.

I think because of the fact I was driving an X3 for a day, a Mercedes GLC for two days and then the DS last, it felt like a Land Rover again.

If I had not driven the others, first would my opinion differ? Possibly, driving the others made me appreciate the DS more.

I've just had a two day test drive of a DS. I was expecting to dislike it based on some of the comments on here.
Yes, I can see where some people don't like it. It is a bit more 'car like'. However I loved it. So much more refined than my MY10 XS. So much more comfortable. I drover the auto and thought it was lovely. When I got back into my Freelander it really felt dated. Don't get me wrong, I am still happy driving it but at this point if I change cars the DS is top of my list.

Mav,
Did you manage to spec it with a spare wheel ? , mine was already built so didn't have that option , after 2 punctures I have just bought a space saver to keep in the boot (arrived this morning) .

We have done 6500 mls in ours with no issues and had 2 trips to Devon/Cornwall with 4 up and luggage and space was fine , however the lack of a dedicated spare wheel location would be an issue if we repeated that trip with luggage for 4 . FL2 gone now in 2016 Discovery 4 Loire Blue .

I think the problem I had was, coming from a Full Fat Disco and judging it by they standards, whereas it may have been different if I had come from the Fl2. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

I went from FL2s to RRSs then DS - I felt DS was nicer than the FL2 (which I really liked) and not bad compared to the RRS taking into account money I saved (£40k vs £60k)

Unfortunately I bought an early production model that had teething problems instead of waiting a few years until they sorted it - they are selling like crazy and have the potential to be the best selling LR of all time

What is unforgiveable though is 3 years down the road new vehicles are still suffering issues with B pillar rattle/creak and splitting and welding seams to cure is a disgrace on a circa £40k vehicle  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

That's a nice review, glad you are enjoying the car. To be honest JLR had to have a new car to compete in SUV sales, in it's later years the Freelander 2 was shifting woeful numbers compared to the Audi and BMW lifestyle wagons to name just two.

They also proved with the Evoque they could do something different, and several years on from the introduction they are all over the place, so they got that one right. JLR have positioned the DS nicely as an entry into its luxury car brand , which is after all the market they compete in now and I'm sure they will have a good market for it even if it's not from historic customers. As a last thought the Discovery name surely is much more marketable than "Freelander" which I still think is a bit dull. 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

from brief test drive disco sport obviously lacks air suspension smoothness of RRS and engine needs working harder. no surprises there.
but ignoring those points it drives well, responsive to throttle and quiet smooth etc. loads of leg room in rear makes sport look small, but only when mid seats are slid right back.

the RRS while big had no design in the seating to maximise space, disco sport designers have spent some time on this. there may be a few issues such as small items from the boot getting into mid seat area as the sliding design leaves gaps around the seat back. but if the car is going to be used as 7 seater then there can be no clutter in the boot space it will have to be kept tidy.
Apparently the passengers have to hold the parcel shelf as there is no other place to put it, so that will live in the house I expect, I dont use the RRS one as it is.
I got a rubber boot mat thrown in with the deal, as we ended up taking bin bags to the end of the farm lane, (thank for that harrogate council ). now Im starting to wonder where this will live when we are 7 seats. 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

MartynB wrote:

As a last thought the Discovery name surely is much more marketable than "Freelander" which I still think is a bit dull.

The problem with "marketable" names is that if you put them on anything, their value deminishes. Take, for intance, "Range Rover"; until recently, an ultra prestigious brand to truly aspire to. It may now sell a lot of Evoques, but it's one of the reasons that I didn't pauper myself recently by buying the real Range Rover!

There's nothing wrong with the name "Freelander", but if the "Discovery" name has been attached to a (albeit half decent) car that just doesn't suit it, it undermines both the car and the name. It's as if BMW were to do a complete U turn and apply the X5 badge to something that wasn't designed for drug dealers (obviously), successful scrap metal merchants (and market traders) and porn stars - people would then be confused as to what the brand "X5" actually meant