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Original poster

Land Rover Freelander or Volvo XC60 or XC90?

27 replies

MsMiaWallace · 25/02/2022 18:43

Any owners of the above can recommend any?
We have x3 kids,dogs & tow a caravan.
I really like these cars but can't choose!
I'm leaning towards the Freelander.

Any advice would be welcome!

OP posts:
red321 · 25/02/2022 18:51

I've had an XC90 and currently have a RR Sport.

Genuinely, don't buy anything made by Land Rover unless you like:

  • Driving a car that develops endless faults. Recent ones include the rear passenger door stopping latching so swinging open while driving. Or the driver's door not opening for days, even using the external door handle.
  • Spending a lot of time in the JLR garage getting the faults fixed
  • Calling the JLR garage numerous times to book your car in, before they'll deign to return your call
  • Arguing with the JLR garage that your expensive warranty covers the £500 plus diagnostic charge if they find a fault (every time, even though the JLR warranty people confirm they do cover it)

I could go on but I think I'll stop for now....!

red321 · 25/02/2022 18:53

And, I don't think I've been unlucky, the reason the garages are so busy is the number of customers with faults. We sit there glumly looking at the poor souls happily buying their shiny new cars.

It's not the garage either, as I've tried five different main JLR garages near me.

Sprig1 · 25/02/2022 18:55

I have a Freelander and love it but I don't think it is big enough for you. 3 kids and dogs will be a squeeze. I would go for an xc90.

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Cars & vehicles
MisguidedSheep · 25/02/2022 18:57

The Freelander was discontinued in 2014, so you're unlikely to find a low mileage one. I mean, they will run happily into 6figure mileage, but only if regularly serviced and well maintained.

Unlike PP I've had no issues with my LR or with the dealers.....they couldn't be more helpful or polite. However I'm guessing with a Freelander that's 8+ years old you'll probably not be bothering with servicing through a main dealer.

Are you looking at a similarly aged Volvo?

red321 · 25/02/2022 19:02

The XC90 has a huge boot. Bigger that the other 4WDs I've owned. The only thing I didn't like was its turning circle.

Original poster
MsMiaWallace · 25/02/2022 19:14

Was looking at cars under 10k.
So around £7-8grand

OP posts:
Pedallleur · 25/02/2022 19:42

High Peak autos on YouTube. Rates xc60 over the 90 in top ten suv. He talks about these cars in separate blogs as well.

Beebumble2 · 25/02/2022 19:45

We have a Freelander, it’s our second, we replaced the first one when they stopped making them. It’s been great, they certainly hold their value. We thought we’d buy a replacement, same age but less mileage, but the ones on the market were very expensive for the age.
We’re keeping ours, worth it.

Beebumble2 · 25/02/2022 19:47

Just seen your update, I doubt you’ll get a Freelander with low mileage for that price. The Volvos are reputed to be very good, but they also hold their price.

LizzieMacQueen · 25/02/2022 19:48

I have an xc60 and love it. Also tested the XC90 but did not like that it came as automatic only. They are pretty wide though so know your width when passing other cars!

red321 · 25/02/2022 19:59

Volvos do have a reputation of going on for ever. My parents' Volvo estate made it to150,000 plus miles without costing much in repairs.

MrPenguinsPoppers · 25/02/2022 20:14

I have a Freelander 2, a 2012 XS.
It's never missed a beat, but it's been serviced and the Haldex looked after. Its got about 116k on it now. It's a wonderful work horse.

Avoid anything Land Rover after the Freelander 2 as thats where the reliability issues kick in. There is a great FB Group called FLOG (Freelander 2 Owners Group) where you'll find hints of what to look for when buying and support from owners. The Haldex unit is a big service and should be done at 10 years or 100k so make sure that has been done.

Wintersbone · 25/02/2022 20:19

3 kids across in the xc60 is a squeeze. I wouldn't touch a used land rover with a barge pole. Id go for the xc90.

tobypercy · 25/02/2022 21:09

I have a Freelander, got it 2nd hand 3 or 4 years ago and it's great. it tows a big trailer easily without much impact on mpg. I would say the boot is smaller than many, which may be an issue especially if you're carrying 3 kids. But it's tall so it still takes a decent amount of stuff as long as you re-learn how to pack.

Depending where you are you may or may not care that it's brilliant in the snow and ice.

Interesting how many PPs are negative about the reliability. Mine is about as reliable as I'd expect of a 10+ year old car (similar to my previous French car), and one good point of landrovers is that parts are readily available and there are multiple different manufacturers which pushes parts prices down.

There are a couple of key service items and you need to check when they were last changed. I can't remember, maybe the Haldex a previous PP mentioned. There's a technical term for something in the middle that makes the 4 wheel drive work Grin and it needs to be changed every 50k miles or so (maybe it was 100). Ours hadn't been when we bought the car so we included the £500 for that in the budget.

Scotinoz · 25/02/2022 21:16

I’ve got a Volvo. It’s got a horrendous turning circle but otherwise love it. Mine’s knocking on 140k miles now - doesn’t have a rattle.

My only complaint is that it doesn’t have a sodding headlight symbol on the dashboard!

PadBurnup · 25/02/2022 21:19

Volvo xc60 is tight in the back - in that class of car we found the VW Tiguan was most roomy - so bought one. There is reason there are so many on the roads.

My friends xc90 feels like a tank though compared to my Tiguan - its much bigger.

MaisyMary77 · 25/02/2022 21:30

I had an XC90. Absolutely loved it. Very spacious, lovely to drive and very reliable.

Shadowboy · 25/02/2022 21:34

I have a freelander 2. Fantastic car, I adore ours and love driving over my husbands newer VW.
I tow a small horse box with mine and it’s never had any issues towing whatsoever. In fact mine is 2013 and went through it MOT with no advisories at all. Good MPG of about 51 when not towing and coasting on the motorway.

stressedscot · 25/02/2022 21:38

I've got a 09 freelander2 and love it! It's gone past 200'000 now and still goes lovely. It's been looked after and well loved, my nearly 16yr old dd wants to keep it for her first car. It's only fault is it really doesn't like supermarket diesel!! Twice my husband had to come rescue us after filling it up there and he reckons the diesel filter doesn't like cheap stuff. Give it shell or stuff from local independent fuel station and it's happy car😀

Original poster
MsMiaWallace · 27/02/2022 09:44

We're hopefully going to test drive a Freelander on Tuesday & a Volvo XC60.

I'm still leaning towards the Freelander but the space in the Volvo is epic.
Pricing up the Freelander is cheaper to tax, insurance is about the same for both.

OP posts:
StillMedusa · 27/02/2022 20:19

Please report back :) MsMiaWallace
I'm also looking for a car that I can fit dog/baby/large all terrain buggy in and am going to look at a Freelander next week.

TheHoptimist · 27/02/2022 20:59

@MsMiaWallace

We're hopefully going to test drive a Freelander on Tuesday & a Volvo XC60.

I'm still leaning towards the Freelander but the space in the Volvo is epic.
Pricing up the Freelander is cheaper to tax, insurance is about the same for both.

Are you sure? have an Xc60 and an xc90- the XC90 was more to tax for first 5 years only

You wont get a 5 year old XC90 or XC60 for £7-8k

Our last one was almost 10 years old had well over 100k miles and got double that

thenightsky · 27/02/2022 21:37

I couldn't find a decent Freelander to buy. I've ended up with a Subaru Forester, which is fabulous.

(just chucking another option out there)

Sprig1 · 03/03/2022 14:31

What did you go for in the end?

TheDogsMother · 03/03/2022 14:53

I still have my 56 plate Freelander 1 bought from new. 92k on the clock now. Touch wood the only thing that has gone wrong is the sun roof cassette which was repaired under warranty. It has been really brilliant

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