Interesting article found in Russian automag. Drivetest santa-fe vs chevi-captiva vs new outlander.
All are equipped with electronic central coupling 4x4 unit .

Typical russian winter offroad drive test was also done: fresh snow field cross.

Resume is quite interesting :


Type of transmission management does not matter ( auto or lock, e.t.c.)
Clearance , tyres and weight distribution play major role.

BUT all of them stacked after 20 minutes snow driving because of coupling units overheating (Captiva use haldex). Guess for reason is that central locking unit clutches never lock 100% and friction cause overheating.

Verdict:

Modern crossover is good for 100 meters off-roading sprint but not for 1 km field crossing.



Does anybody know is freel2 transmission also "20 minutes" or freel2 off-road ability declaration is more serious? Freelander 2 HSE i6 Tonga Green

They drove it around the Falklands for a week or two, which would be more than a few hundred yards. The old Freelander never had a problem in the slippery stuff and I don't see why the new one would D4 HSE Lux for me
FL2 HSE Zermatt & Alpacca for the wife now gone
Skoda Yeti L&K for the wife.

Question is about 'heavy' surface , e.g. deep snow, sand, mud - low speed , high transmission load
Hope haldex development for freel is rigid enough and can dissipate heat properly.
I'm asking because this is something you do not want to test by yourself.
Better offroader mean longer walk for help  Freelander 2 HSE i6 Tonga Green

If you are looking for a real mud plugger then look elsewhere at the D3 or Defender with a low box and locking diffs, the Fl2 doesn't have the ground clearance for a start. As far as sand is concerned I would have thought a light 4x4 like the FL2 would be ideal, but I've never driven on sand. D4 HSE Lux for me
FL2 HSE Zermatt & Alpacca for the wife now gone
Skoda Yeti L&K for the wife.