What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Why can't our Freelander 2 achieve the claimed fuel economy figure of 45mpg?
I believe there is a culture of deceit within Land Rover. We purchased a new Freelander 2 TD4 manual from a Land Rover dealer in November 2010. The transaction was very badly handled. When we collected the car it became apparent that it was financially important to the dealership to receive an “outstanding” commendation from us in order to qualify for a financial incentive. At the time, we were offered the first 15,000 mile service free of charge in return for obliging. I find this deceitful. Over its first year the vehicle has averaged 35.1mpg over 15,000 miles, 90 per cent of which are spent on the motorway averaging some 52mph. This is 10mpg less than the claimed combined cycle figure. We attempted to reject the vehicle under the Sale of Goods Act. Even the dealer could do no better than 38mpg.
Asked on 28 January 2012 by KM, via email
Answered by
Honest John
See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/Results?manufacturer=...r (TinyURL: tinyurl.com/7vr4d8a)
The real life fuel economy register shows 33.6mpg for a 2.2 SD4 and a range of 30.8 – 37.1 mpg for the vehicle v/s the official EC lab test figure of 40.4mpg combined (there are different figures for the TD4 and for the 2WD model) so what you have been getting is wholly realistic. No one ever guaranteed that anyone could achieve the EC lab test figures. They are simply standard tests that every manufacturer attempts to excel in to secure low CO2 and low tax status for its vehicles. But these are the only figures that EC law allows a manufacturer to publicise. So you need to sue the EC, not LandRover. The other matter of the satisfaction rating is that dealer commission on a sale often depends on the feedback the customer gives it. Typically a dealer gets 3 per cent and if the customer is satisfied this is doubled to 6 per cent. May be a lot more with a LandRover.
The real life fuel economy register shows 33.6mpg for a 2.2 SD4 and a range of 30.8 – 37.1 mpg for the vehicle v/s the official EC lab test figure of 40.4mpg combined (there are different figures for the TD4 and for the 2WD model) so what you have been getting is wholly realistic. No one ever guaranteed that anyone could achieve the EC lab test figures. They are simply standard tests that every manufacturer attempts to excel in to secure low CO2 and low tax status for its vehicles. But these are the only figures that EC law allows a manufacturer to publicise. So you need to sue the EC, not LandRover. The other matter of the satisfaction rating is that dealer commission on a sale often depends on the feedback the customer gives it. Typically a dealer gets 3 per cent and if the customer is satisfied this is doubled to 6 per cent. May be a lot more with a LandRover.
Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.
Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.
Similar questions
My car insurance is due for renewal in the near future and I would be grateful if you would confirm the names of the top five companies in the latest customer care survey. I also own a 2009 Ford Focus...
I was just wondering what your thoughts are on the Evoque Cross-Coupe Range Rover five-door version. Also at £35,000, and being slightly smaller than the Freelander, is it worth the money? Or is there...
It's time to replace my company lease car again. My choice of car has to meet a tight window of requirements, balancing weight (for pulling a large caravan), economy for the 90 per cent of time I am not...
Related models
.JPG?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Bigger than original Freelander. 2.2-litre belt cam diesel. Incredibly good off-road. Robust interior. More fuel efficient 2WD model from 2011 with no rear diff to fail.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
