Next wednesday 29th Dec Auto Express are doing a road test that I wish they had done a month or so ago.

BMW X3 (new model), Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and FL2.

As many of you will know these four were all on my shortlist of replacements for my current FL2 - needless to say the FL2 won but will be interested to see how the magazine places them.. Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit

Ah yes, Auto Express - the Daily Express of Motoring journalism... I've never really liked or rated their reviews. Whilst Autocar have their Porsche / BMW / Audi fixation, I find they're *usually* a little more on the money.

I predict AE will rate as:
1. Q5 - due to the interior blah blah blah
2. X3 - due to the handling and no one goes off-road blah blah blah
3. FL2 - it's a Land Rover and ooh look it's broken down etc etc
4. XC60 - it's Chinese now and looks a bit goofy

Interesting to see what spec FL2 they use - I assume a high-spec SD4 given the rivals?

Auto Express have rated the FL2 very highly over the last few years, giving it a few awards.

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic6366.html?highlight=

The Freelander 2 has not got a reputation for being unreliable. I have just dropped mine off this morning for it's 4th year service and dealership have said, like every car you will come across faults, but compared to RRS, Disco 3 etc, the Freelander has proven to be a good reliable car.

My thoughts on the fourth coming road test, is that they will say the Freelander 2 is still King off road, but is getting old compared to the latest offerings from BMW, Audi and Volvo. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

I'm not knocking FL2, I just don't like AE as a magazine...

I'm expecting the FL2 to be 2nd or 3rd, they will moan about its shape (model is the oldest on test), running costs and reliability (yes they still bang on about this despite the FL2 bearing no resemblance to the FL1)

Bet they have the 2.0Tdi Q5 on test and I bet they dont mention that they have a shortage of engines at the moment and have a delivery period of about 8 months!! Bet they dont take any of them offroad either!! - would be interesting if they did!!  Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit

Natwest wrote:

I'm not knocking FL2, I just don't like AE as a magazine...

I know your not knocking it, and my thoughts about AE match your own!  Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Can't remember which magazine it was but i remember reading once that they complained that the centre console buttons were too cluttered and difficult to read, thet same magazine a couple of months later praised the centre console for being clearly marked out and having nice big buttons!

Natwest wrote:

Ah yes, Auto Express - the Daily Express of Motoring journalism... I've never really liked or rated their reviews. Whilst Autocar have their Porsche / BMW / Audi fixation, I find they're *usually* a little more on the money.

I predict AE will rate as:
1. Q5 - due to the interior blah blah blah
2. X3 - due to the handling and no one goes off-road blah blah blah
3. FL2 - it's a Land Rover and ooh look it's broken down etc etc
4. XC60 - it's Chinese now and looks a bit goofy

Interesting to see what spec FL2 they use - I assume a high-spec SD4 given the rivals?

I would agree with you Natwest that is exactly what they will say.
However if there was a similar SUV (yes they still call them that here) test here in Norway, the results would look very different to the UK

Something like:
1. Q5 + X3 + GLK as good as each other because they are premium vehicles and we should all love them
2. Tiguan much the same as the Q4, X3 & GLK but a bit less status
3. XC60 bit pricey but an excellent SUV
4. Outlander one of the most sold SUV's here and 5 year guarantee.
5. Yeti (yes really)
5. CR-V very popular SUV in Norway
6. RAV4 going off a bit these days
7. X-Trail has gone off
8. Forester not bad but no pedigree
9. Sportage and all the similar models if you really must have a SUV
10. Well if there is nothing else I suppose we will have to include that overpriced full of problems 4x4 that nobody is interested in. In fact is it still sold in Norway because there is no dealer net any more and who drives over fields and up mountains anyway & anyway LR = crap - the Freelander.

I hate the Norwegian motoring press  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

My cousin-in-law*^ has recently bought a new XC60, so any chance to knock it I can get, I'll gladly take!





*he's ok, just a poor taste in cars - didn't react too kindly to the change to Chinese ownership thing... but then he didn't know they were owned by Ford either (he's led a sheltered life).

^ is there such a relation?

Here's the test referred to:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/gr...ivals.html

I won't spoil it with any comments at this stage!

Very interesting review  freelander 2 SE black and beige - now sold

s7gpt wrote:

Very interesting review

I agree

I have yet to try a new X3 in the flesh, and although they mention it (X3) was wearing winter tyres when the other cars weren't, it appears to be a pretty objective review of the cars in the current marketplace IMHO.

Had a look inside an X3 a few days back. it looks like a very refined piece of kit.