My brother has recently bought a 62 plate Mazda CX5 2.2 FWD.

Firstly its actually a very nice motor, feels solid, comfortable, spacious, well equipped and with some neat little features.

Its a 2.2 diesel 150BHP which im guessing is the same basic engine as the FL2/Evoque 150BHP and both can be had in 2WD only set up as both LR and Mazda both have strong associations with Ford.

So how come the the Mazda only costs £30 per year road tax and gives my brother nearly 60mpg average (he isn't a total Miss Daisy driver!) ?

The Mazda will be more aerodynamic, lighter overall, little off road ability, and the parts will weigh a lot less. The FL2 was designed back in early 2000’s and launched in 2006. The only changes along the years have been cosmetic ones. MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

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

i would think that like for like the Mazda 2WD would fair pretty well against the FL2/Ewok 2WD off road and the aerodynamics between the Ewok and the CX5 are probably similar too.


CX5 Evoque Freelander 2
119 g/km 133 g/km 158 g/km
£30 £135/£150 £190
148bhp 150bhp 150bhp
280 lb/ft 309 lb/ft 309 lb/ft
9.2secs 10.6secs 10.9secs
61.4mpg 56.5mpg 47.1mpg

Above figures are all for 2.2D front wheel drive similar age models, mpg is the combined figure. I couldn't find any vehicle weights without more digging but to me the Mazda definitely seems the better bet for a large FWD SUV used mainly on road. (not saying im buying one, just really shocked at how much cheaper the Mazda is all round and probably more reliable )

Just been looking at the new Peugeot 3008 SUV and apparently it doesn't need 4WD

To offer the best performance in terms of energy consumption, the new 3008 will not offer a traditional mechanical 4x4 version. Nevertheless, the benefits of 4x4 will be preserved thanks to our patented grip optimisation system "Advanced Grip Control". This will also include Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC) for the first time.

So there you have it. Mind you who needs 4WD in Chelsea anyway? 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

As with any comparison between makes a 2wd is always going to be more reliable than a 4wd due to less parts to go wrong, Mazda as a mainly 2wd drive manufacturer will always come out better than a LR as make, there have been some horrendous stories of the CX5 diesel engine failures, just as there are of FL2 diffs. I don't think the engine is a Ford/PSA/LR engine in the CX5 I believe they use their own known as a SKYACTIV-D 2.2 diesel engine. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

i know the skyactiv name is Mazda's branding of eco technology (such as Econetic or DriveE) but I did wonder if the 2 engines are basically the same 2.2D with both brands being linked to Ford.

I know that a 4WD will be more likely to transmission issues etc due to the extra components and such, which is why I only compared the FWD versions of each.

But if Mazda/Ford can get a 2.2 diesel for only 119 g/km and £30 road tax, then why cant LR get a 2.2D (or 2.0D) down from such high figures ?

The Mazda has been around for a while now, although not as far back as 2006MY but im still surprised by the differences. And it really is a nice motor for the money (62 plate SE-L Nav with 30k on clock for 13 grand from Mazda dealer!)

The CX3 also looks a good motor, but obviously smaller but the sport spec even has a standard HUD (66 plate sport spec for 15k from main dealer!)

My Daughter has a CX5 (2wd), and its very nice and does the normal stuff extremely well. However, look underneath at the suspension components and general layout, then look under the Fl2 - Very different, rugged is one word that comes to mind, and that ain't for the CX5. Not knocking them at all, its a brilliant modern car, but doubt it would like being on the rough stuff that much - but that may not matter for most. FL2 Ex D2, D3, RRS, etc. now all gone.

Before buying my Freelander I did the usual of taking test drives in a number of contenders including the CX5. Of all the makes I drove the one thing that stuck out about the CX was road positioning. I just found it harder to judge position on the road than all the others (BMW, Audi, Honda, Suzuki & LR). Nothing wrong with the car (although I thought it too bland), just hard to put exactly where I wanted it in relation to the narrow country lanes where I took it for a test drive. Still don't know why that was and I've driven everything from a moped to a 52 ton tank. FL2 Metropolis, Loire Blue, ebony/ivory

[/I thought it was too bland!]

I think that just about sums it up, bland boring car like so many Japanese or Korean offerings. Full of kit but dreary to drive. Nothing to make you excited or proud or to take a backward glance as you leave it parked up. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

And that sums up why I didn't buy a Hyundai Tucson, mind you the rest of the LR stable isn't exactly inspiring either.  3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Looked at a secondhand one, and although it was fairly roomy it felt 'enclosed' as the seats and roof lining were all black and there was no sunroof. Believe the new models have one.
Ironically ended up buying the Freelander from the same Mazda dealer who'd taken it in as a p/ex for the CX5

discofan wrote:

[/I thought it was too bland!]

I think that just about sums it up, bland boring car like so many Japanese or Korean offerings. Full of kit but dreary to drive. Nothing to make you excited or proud or to take a backward glance as you leave it parked up.

+100%!!
With the possible exception of the Vogue, I’m thinking that FL2 is/was the last proper, popular Land Rovers.
Nowt against the old Defenders (I’ve had them for many years), but practical, modern, on/off roaders they weren’t.
FL2 is a gem, treasure it whilst we can.

Click image to enlarge

Always look back at it after leaving! I've decided to stop being a good example and will now just be a terrible warning.....
2008 TD4HSE - gone but much loved.
2014MY SD4 Metropolis - very much loved.

don’t forget the Disco 4, which held that role until it’s sad demise in 2016