LR Freelander v XC60 (v Skoda Superb Estate)?

[orienteerer]

Which would you buy (or similar)? Have a 9 year old Volvo V70 T5 (owned from new) which I LOVE but we need to move on. I would buy another V70 but both DH & I would like a higher driving position whilst retaining 'load space' (as I've discovered the car industry call it).

I love the look of the Freelander but load space is limited, XC60 a bit streamlined IYSWIM, (XC90 too big). Have mentioned Skoda Superb but it would not give the high driving position (DH will not consider Skoda Yeti).

Should add we're looking to move to a diesel automatic (from petrol/manual). Suggestions?

......bump?........

Anyone?

Hi - not sure I can help but my 5 year old Discovery is starting to cost me a fortune in repairs, and I understand Freelander reliability is even worse (although new ones may be better), so I would steer clear of Landrovers full stop....

Should add that the Volvos are on my list and a friend just bought a Yeti and loves it!

rockdoctor - thanks for the Landrover input, I've read a few things about Freelander problems but thought it was with the mark 1 version. My sister is on her 2nd Discovery but when I think about it they don't tend to keep their cars more than 4-5 years. Must say I really love our Volvo, and it's taken a full 9 years for things to start going wrong. I've looked at (but not driven) a Nissan Quashqi (sp?) and Kia Sportage, but impressive for the price but very 'plastic' interior compared to my beloved Volvo. I think the Skoda garage is next on my agenda......DH hardly drives the thing anyway..... Or another Volvo.

Not sure of your budget, but I recently got a lexus rx. It's automatic but petrol/hybrid though. Finish is gorgeous, and thT's what convinced me over the Kia sportage. For the year and mileage it was cheaper than the xc60 equivalent.

I didn't like the steering on the Freelander and the general comfort. It felt like I was driving a boat. Liked the XC60. Nice driving position and comfortable but I thought the plastics were a bit cheap. I also didn't like the screeching parking sensors (really screechy compared to other makes). I looked at the Tiguan but wanted a proper handbrake not a button. I looked at the Kia Sportagr/Hyundai i35 (they are the same car) but the back seats didn't go flat. Also tried the Mazda Cx5 but thought the leather seats were poor quality. Looked at Qashqai and Honda CRV but didn't like the finish. I ended up getting a BMW X1. Got a very good deal. My second choice was the Volvo and there are gpod deals to be had there too.

Thanks bisjo, useful comments. So far I haven't done any test drives but have looked at XC60 (I do like it, having owned a volvo for the last 9 years), Qashquai (bit plastic), Audi Q5 & Tiguan (load space too small), Yeti (deep boot lip a no no), Skoda Superb Elegance (very impressive if I wanted another estate car), Kia Sportage (looked quite good, still a bit plastic). Although the Kia & Hyundai have the same frame it seems the Hyundai has a very slightly bigger load space and possibly a better interior finish......I'm off to the Hyundai garage tomorrow.

I didn't like the fact that the seats don't fold flat on the Hyundai and also the back split 60/40 rather than 40/20/40. Also the full leather interior smelt overwhelmingly of plastic. Best leather smell was Landrover Evoque - smelt like a new handbag .

I'm sorry but I really don't like the Evoque, looks like a squashed wedge of cheese. Have absolutely not problem with 60/40 seats but only if they fold flat(ish).

Have you looked at the Honda CRV? We have had one 5 years and it's fantastic - load space is great. I don't like the newer version as much as the 04 we have which is why we haven't moved on yet but for reliability it's been second to none.

I had a toureg- bigger version of Tiguan. It was fab! Now have a Chrysler grand voyager- they get a hard time but I'm really pleased with it and it is diesel, automatic and all the seats fold completely flat into the floor so the best storage of them all- and loads of different combinations, and the nice and high of the road.

My dad has the hyundai- just got it a couple of months ago- he is really delighted with it. He previously had an estate.

I've got a freelander and whilst lovely to drive, it's really not big enough! Given your choice I'd be all over the Superb, I think you get a lot of car for your money and although being higher is good, I'd take comfort every time!

No I didn't like the Evoque either, only the smell of it!

Honda CRV is huge and probably the biggest of the standard 4x4s. If you want hugely big then try the Audi Q7. I looked at the Q3 but didn't like it as much as the BMW.

Just been to look at the Hyundai ix35 and the Honda CRV, the Honda wins hands down. Must more solid feel, like to way the gearstick/auto is forward mounted to give more space, also the seats fold flat and the dog gets a bit more window at the back! Just discovered there is a www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/cr-v-2012/ new version due out in September which looks even better, even though I want a very nearly new I could be tempted to wait.
Thanks to those suggesting Q7 or Toureg, I just don't want anything quite that big.

...note to self to check typing/spelling before pressing 'post'

We bought a Skoda Yeti 4x4 1.8 SE Plus 3 months ago. I love love love it! Love the build quality, high driving position, gadgets ( bluetooth in car kit and built in sat nav), boot is deceptively large but the room is in the height rather than depth. It's very versatile you can take out all the back seats or any one of them and turn it in to a minivan. It's no wider/longer in reality than our old Octavia although it's much more spacious inside. Can comfortably fit 2 adults and a car seat in back. Have also had 2 x high backed boosters + a maxi cosi large car seat in without trouble. The engine is very very quiet - I keep thinking I've stalled at traffic lights! It wasn't my choice to begin with but have totally fallen in love with it! Why won't your DH consider it?

Whatevertheweather - DH thinks it's a box on wheels. I want the depth of space rather than height plus want a flat base i.e. no lip. The Yeti without a space tyre in the well had a big (relatively) lip.

We used to drive a petrol V70 (02 plate)which I loved too. We replaced it with a diesel XC70 which has a slightly higher up driving position which I prefer but still has all the Volvo stuff we liked too. When they changed the models in Autumn 2007 they changed the driving position so if you're considering a nearly new car go for one with 57 plates or later. Apologies if you've already bought a new car!

The freelandee has the dreaded rover k series engine which blows its head gasket with very little provocation. Best avoided despite its lovely looks.

The freelandee has the dreaded rover k series engine which blows its head gasket with very little provocation. Best avoided despite its lovely looks.

Only the 1.8 petrol, OP says they're looking for a diesel anyway.

I have a Volvo XC60 and absolutely love it! Frequently drive my family to Germany in it (twelve year old DS and DD of 10, golden lab, four bikes on rear mounted rack, oh and DH!) and it makes the journey a pleasure. It's quiet, comfortable, and feels very safe. And I also love the way it looks. Can't recommend it enough.

Just realised this thread has come back to life . Ashamed to say I still haven't decided on a car but have spread the net and test driven several. I am now being gently harassed by several car salesmen wanting to know if and when I'm going to make a decision. In the mean time my beloved V70 is having a 100,000 mile service on Monday, I might just keep on driving it........

Those driven so far are:
XC60 - very nice but not sure I'm willing to spend that much.
Tiguan - was OK but not remotely exciting. Would also want an automatic which seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.
Kia Sportage - I like it, very high on my list so far.
Hyundai Xi35 - as per Sportage but prefer Sportage styling.
Mazda CX-5 - nice but they don't come with sunroof which is one of my must haves, also a new model so no low milage ones on the market yet.

Might consider:
BMW X1

Decided I don't like to look of the current Honda CRV, the way the bumper juts out front & rear (yes I know that's what bumpers are for).
Ford Kuga - no opening sunroof.

In conclusion I'm hesitating as I'm not sure I have the courage to go Korean/Japanese etc or stick with tried & tested Swedish or German.