Hello First post on FL2 forum.
I have just stuck my head round the door from the Full Fat forum.
I am considering downsizing from a Range Rover to a Freelander or Santa Fe and wondered if anyone has made the same move or considered a Freelander against a Santa Fe?
Thanks for any advice.
Andy

The a Freelander 2 and the Santa Fe can't be discussed in the same way.

A good friend of mine has owned a Santa Fe for 5 years now, and to be fair it has been a relatively reliable car. Nothing major gone wrong, but a few niggles here and there like you get with all manufacturers.

But the reason is has kept it is because it is not worth anything. He has owned it since new but the residuals are terrible.

He worked out recently that if he had spent the extra £5k on the equivalent Freelander 2, now at 5 years old the Freelander 2 of the same age and spec is worth about £8.5k more than what he has now so over the five years, the Santa Fe will have cost him a lot more if he sells now.

Build quality by his own admission is appalling. But it keeps going on with all most 90000 miles on it.

Personally, I would go for the Freelander 2. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

I went from a D3 to a FL2. I was very happy with the FL2 (kept it for around 3 years until it was written off) but it was always a little small. The better fuel economy was welcome.

As you can see, I now own a D3 again. The FL2 would still be adequate, space and towing wise, but only just. If you're like me, you would always wish you had a larger LR.

They are great cars though and, subject to circumstances, I would be very happy to own one again.  Freelander 2 2007 TD4 Manual HSE Tambora Flame
Discovery 3 2006 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver
Previously: Freelander 2 2007 TD4 Manual SE Santorini Black

I owned a CM Santa Fe 2007 on an 08 plate, the car has more room than the FL2, though the same weight carrying capability, it had the same amount of niggles in 4 years as my 97 Disco TD300 had in 9 years, some apparently insurmountable as they came back, the rear door not unlocking is still a niggle even on the latest model. The leather is of low quality and discolours easily, on standard tyres it is very unstable compared to an FL, Torque steer and initial wheel spin can be induced in quick getaways, even on an auto. Rust seems very prevelant on the under body even on ther sub frames ( one of the reasons mine went) Engines cost the same as an FL but the car is worth less so the temptation is if an engine goes is to replace the car and see what you get for scrap. Spares are not cheap and there is no aftermarket as in the FL2 . The wheels do suffer from corrosion many are replaced under warranty, there are also problems with the leather covered steering wheel delaminating. The last point is that there is a rumour that the UK has limited imports on the latest versions in an attempt to increase residuals, this only seems to work at main dealers, also a bit of a problem as almost the same vehicle is sold as a Kia Sorrento and discounted new cheaper than a used SF. You takes your choice, I took mine and am more than happy  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

It's fun what you said about the steering wheel DTO, my brother lives in Canada & has a Hyundai car (not the Santa fe) just an ordinary car . He has had the leather steering wheel replaced 3 times under warranty as it was falling apart , the car is only 2 yrs old . Do it now ! Your a long time dead !!

It's the bit more room I was after as I am worried that after the Range Rover the Freelander would be a little bit to small. I know most reviews seem to think the boot is compromised.
Surprised at reliability/quality comments about the Santa Fe the reviews are very positive about the previous and current model. Dartman I think the kia is still based on tge old santa fe new one based on the current santa fe out this year but I ageee with the comments on depreciation and the new santa fe a ridiculous price but autocar puts it as top 4x4 with the new rr sport 2nd. Landrover reliability ????? had enoughof them to know it's not the best and the rear diffs seem to be becoming issue of the moment. My local indy gone from having them on customer order to a stock item getting through so many!
However I do like Landrover's

If you had a FFRR and are looking to downsize but think the FL2 may be too small, have you not considered (what I think is the most obvious for you) a Disco3 or 4 ?

Btw, I downsized from a D3, then D4, to a FL2.

@ rnop
Would have liked a D3/4 but no savings in running one over the Full Fat

What about a second hand SD4 Discovery Sport once the new engine comes out?

Plenty of space and is technically related to FL2! 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)

The thing you must realise about any car tests is they are done when the car is new, ask them again when the car has done 20,000 miles. yep SF's drive great when new, but at 70,000 miles I never changed a disc or suspension joint on the Disco, I changed the droplinks on the front roll bar at 17,000 miles ( common problem) the rear brakes seize every winter ( not a service item) extra cost item and a front bottom ball joint at 32,000. If you owned a RR then a SF will be a big disappointment, you won't be happy, I think the electric front seat is now an extra. From 2012 the SF and the Sorrento are the same car except for cosmetics and the rear panels. There will lots of goodies missing on the SF that are standard on a RR and you're into over £40,000 to get the same extras as an RR and at least 8 months waiting, fully loaded SF's are like hens teeth on the used market. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Personally I would stick with LR! A Land Rovers grip is phenomenal even in the dry and you will miss the permanent four wheel drive! It's far superior to any other manufacturers  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

Have you factored in the cost of the new car into your running costs. People generally forget the capital cost.

It's why I have kept cars 17 (25 total) & 19 years. Both still had good engines of around 230k, it's was the rust in general that was getting to them.

The actual maintenance and registrations costs would have been similar to a younger car.

Maybe it's worth hiring a Hyundia for a week before committing. I looked at a lot of cars before buying the Freelander. The non European cars just don't have the same feel of European cars. 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

As well as factoring in the capital cost of a new car (as mentioned above), you need to factor in depreciation.
Haven't checked but I'm sure a Land Rover won't depreciate anyway near the rate of a Far Eastern car.

Then there's the 'feel of the badge', to me LR is a prestige brand compared to others on your list and may (may not) give you that feel good factor.

Oh, and you can personalise a LR more than the other brands (if you're into that).

Thanks for all the replies.
I think we have got a bit off topic, I have had nearly everything Landrover have produced l currently run a FF so quality feel and all the toys I know all about.
What I was trying to find out is if I would feel short changed downsizing to a freelander, threw the Santa fe in as it ticks a lot of the boxes.

Mostly depends on what you want for size, the cabin isn't cramped and is comfortable, OK it doesn't have the head clearance of an FF, but unless you are excessively tall or large there is no problem, the biggest problem is the boot which is small, I needed to reduce the size of my dog pod by 2" in height and length when I changed from the SF, I also don't have the same space alongside the pod. This may be the deal stopper on a DS as I won't reduce the height of the pod any lower. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.