I have had a Freelander 2 SD4 XS and now have a RRS HSE TDV6 2011. Changed to RRS simply because the boot was too small for trips to and from France. Went on a Land Rover experience day in the FL2 and was very impressed with what it would do. Not sure my RRS is much better off road but ground clearance higher.
Got to thinking what did I really want without going to a Korean or Japanese 4x4.

Something about the size and accommodation of the RRS but without the complexity and weight of air suspension, differential gearbox would provide a more reliable vehicle which would be £10k cheaper and cover a wider user base. I guarantee 98% of you do not do serious off roaring.

So what would be your ideal Land a Rover 4x4 specification be?

Size of a Discovery
Handling of a Sport
Fuel economy + running costs of a small hatch
Luxury of a Full Fat

Not in this lifetime

The price of a Dacia Duster
The quality of finish and build of a FFRR
The beauty of a Jaguar F Type Coupe
The offroad ability of a disco 3 or 4
The fuel economy of a Tesla
The width of a Defender
The simple mechanicals and electrics of a TDi Defender
But most of all I would like a Land Rover that feels like is was built with pride and care. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

nigel52 wrote:

I have had a Freelander 2 SD4 XS and now have a RRS HSE TDV6 2011. Changed to RRS simply because the boot was too small for trips to and from France. Went on a Land Rover experience day in the FL2 and was very impressed with what it would do. Not sure my RRS is much better off road but ground clearance higher.
Got to thinking what did I really want without going to a Korean or Japanese 4x4.

Something about the size and accommodation of the RRS but without the complexity and weight of air suspension, differential gearbox would provide a more reliable vehicle which would be £10k cheaper and cover a wider user base. I guarantee 98% of you do not do serious off roaring.

So what would be your ideal Land a Rover 4x4 specification be?

Modern reliability not 1970's reliability would great. The RRS would then be ideal. If LR won't give a 5 or 7 year warranty then you know they don't trust their Brummie-built boxes.

The RRS is much better than the FL2 off road - the RRS is a very accomplished off roader.

The air suspension gives the RRS its ride quality and helps off road ability. Low range box isn't complex and doesn't add much weight or cost and is generally reliable. It massively adds to off road ability (FL2 hasn't got it and it reduces its ability). It also helps when towing heavy loads.

Sounds to me like you want an X5 or Q7 with a LR badge on it..  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

The RRS is much better than the FL2 off road - the RRS is a very accomplished off roader.

Based on what evidence mate? I would be interested to know the comparisons.

Based on having driven both off road. The FL2 is actually very good off road but...

The RRS is a D3 underneath but with better ramp angle ( shorter wheelbase helps here) and is as good off road as the D3. Really, it is.

The ability to add ground clearance is a boon. Once a FL2 bottoms out that's it. The RRS can lift itself to clear the obstacle.

Low range is hugely helpful off road. FL2 doesn't have low range; this is a limitation in some circumstances.

Both are good off road but the RRS is better. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Thanks for that. I have driven the FL2 off road a few times, but not the RRS. I was very surprised at how the FL2 performs off road and it is outstanding in the snow but I can understand how the ride height would help the RRS when higher clearance is needed.