Faults:

Intermittent steering wheel shake from 70-80mph.

Very occasional poor starting after very heavy rain overnight.

Occasionally, the rear tailgate wouldn't lock on the central locking loop.

General Comments:

I bought this car in a fit of madness to get a 4x4 for the winter, as it was a couple grand less than an equivalent diesel version.

One thing has dominated my ownership of this car -- FUEL ECONOMY.

I guess it's also partially because fuel costs in the UK are ridiculous and carry on rising, but even so, this car was awful on petrol. The HIGHEST figure I ever got was 23.6 mpg on one tank, the lowest, 20.6 mpg; range was anywhere from 260-290 miles.

I suppose expecting much more from a 2.7 V6, 1.8 ton, auto 4x4 with brick like aerodynamics is too much, but even so...

Anyway, leaving aside the reason I just got rid of it after only 4 months of ownership, I actually liked the car itself.

Big, comfy heated seats, really good kit level (could've done with parking sensors though), a smooth engine and torque sensing 4x4 with a diff lock (great in the snow we just had, took me straight past about 3 stranded cars one day) were all highlights, along with good grip and a very effective cruise control set up.

Criticisms -- Too much body roll, and a crap auto gearbox (responsible in part for terrible fuel economy I suspect), only 4 speed, and so eager to kick down a gear whenever you went anywhere near the loud pedal, that I usually locked it in top gear as soon as I could.

The other annoying thing was I bought 4 new Avon Ranger 85% on road, 15% off road tyres for it, and straight from when they were fitted, got a vibration through the car at around 50mph, and then steering wheel shake between 70-80mph, some days worse than others. It seemed totally tyre related, as it wasn't doing it when I bought it, and I think the problem was getting less the more miles I did on the tyres.

I got the wheels balanced about 4 times, but the problem never really went away, so, don't buy Avon Rangers.

I've now got a Fiat Panda diesel that does 60mpg, and costs me £30 a year road tax, rather than 22mpg on average, and over £400 a year road tax, not to mention insurance, service costs...

Faults:

Heater matrix leaking.

4x4 not engaging.

Rear electric windows not working.

Faulty switches in driver's door.

General Comments:

An utter disgrace for a 21st century car, my very first car, a 1972 Vauxhall Viva was built far better than this pile of junk. The interior is very similar to 1970's Datsuns.

Very uncomfortable.

Road holding in damp/wet conditions bordering on dangerous.

Rubbish brakes.

Rough engine.

Fuel economy of a Panzer tank.

More rattles & squeaks than a retired hamster.

Faults:

Engine does make a diesel rattle at around 2000 rpm.

General Comments:

Bought this car to replace my TD4 Freelander.

I love it, and so far can't fault it.

The 2005 model I have is only 111 BHP, as opposed to the more powerful newer models, but it tows my caravan and does a good job of it too; 1300 Kgs, no problem.

It does however only have a 75 Kgs nose weight, a bit disappointing to be honest, you have to be careful with that.

The car is comfortable, reliable and good on fuel. The engine though, is a little noisy at around 2000 RPM, and has a diesel knock or rattle under pressure. This though is not a mechanical problem, it's just the way these motors are.

So far in my first year of ownership, no problems, and I love the car.