NMJ
Santa Fe thats my default choice ( Kia sorento the same car) and the new one looks bit like a big Ford Kuga yes it's not a proper 4x4 but at least its not going to break!
Had a Tucson for three years after the Saga of my last Freelander as I needed a car in a hurry having rejected the Freelander back to the Main Agent.
Did 80k @ 38 to the gallon ave and any very minor issues sorted no problem by dealer with free loan car.
Just needed somthing bit larger so came back to landrover (should have known better )
However the FF towed a box trailer off road to a scout camp, fetched a load of ebay items from Sheffield and Solihull and done an ikea run this weekend and the only fault is the back light on the left hand side of the dash LCD display looks to have gone. anybody tried to fix/replace the lamp? Mine was a blue one!

I had a couple of late model freelanders as loaners during garage work. In terms of reliability - well thats hard to comment other than ones I had, the exhaust rattled (2500miles) and another the roof bar whistled (56miles) the other 3 seemed ok and its debatable if wind noise is a relability thing, but given the age hard to say on longevity.

I've had manuals and autos - the first few (my12's?) all seemd to give dismal mpg (27-29) in mixed driving (60% fast a road/mway cruising) which to be honest I wasn't expecting and I tried to drive like a saint to get it higher! The last couple of autos (my13's?) have been significantly better (32-34mpg) which was more what I was expecting.

My thoughts - downsizing to a freelander 2 doesn't in my mind solve any of your problems really, like for like I'd say reliability was about the same and that fuel economy is marginally better, but not enough IMHO to 'downsize' and lose the benefits of RR

Hi Jim
you have hit the nail on the head the Freelander is not good enough on fuel or reliable enough to make the change. So its either another mark £30k for a Santa Fe
I notice you had them while yours was in the garage!!
Anbody selling a TDV8 might have to try one in a couple of months. Mine was a blue one!