Faults:

Cruise Control didn't work, but a quick check of an Internet site and £4 for some tube fixed it.

The Air-conditioning System seems to have a mind of its own. Occasionally is chucks out hot air and the strangest cold air flow from the vents which actually warms the interior.

General Comments:

Its not quick, but can out-drag a boy racer, but who would want to argue with 2.7 tonnes.

Similarly at night the sight of it coming up behind at 80 encourages people to move into the inside lanes of motorways.

The cabin is roomy and well thought out, the only button hidden away is the Sport button for the automatic gearbox.

It doesn't even realize that our little 1000kg caravan is on the back.

It does project wealth, with 17mpg you have to be rich to run one.

We could have bought a smaller 4x4 as a caravan tug, but if you've going to get a big car you might as well get the biggest. A family of 5 and holiday luggage can easily fit in.

Faults:

Well, so far, in about a month of ownership, but 7,000 miles...

The alternator failed. The drain of running the air suspension pump means you don't get far if this happens. If you carry on you will lose the gearbox electronic control unit, leaving you stuck in 4th gear.

It leaks, so much so that I emptied four inches of water from the spare wheel well!

The engine is loosing coolant.

The alarm is bizarrely unreliable. Sometimes it goes off when entering the vehicle even when deactivated. At other times, it will not deactivate - yet you can enter the vehicle and nothing happens.

The heater regularly switches to full heat, for no apparent reason.

The air conditioning is inoperative.

Low range cannot be selected.

General Comments:

It's a shame the car has so many faults!

It's very comfortable, and very easy to drive. There is loads of space, though not really enough for back seat passengers behind a 6' plus front seat occupant. The old LSE was better in this respect.

The car handles very well, though if pushed to it's limits the steering fails to self center sufficiently.

The car is not quite as good as the old model in deep mud - probably due to the road-biased tyres. Only road treads seem to be available in the correct 255 width, though 235s can be fitted.

The performance is good on a motorway, with easy 100mph cruising. It's smooth and quiet around town.

Country roads are not it's forte. The engine needs more mid-range pull - perhaps the 4.6 is better? The gearbox also becomes very frenetic when asked to overtake in kick-down. The car seems to compensate for lack of torque with high revs.

Economy is bad. Cruise-controlled through Europe at a depressing 70mph it averaged 17.5mpg. Around town it quickly falls to 15mpg. The best I have ever achieved was 19.5mpg. Driving at 90mph plus will result in between 16 and 17 mpg.

Faults:

When I first acquired the car I drove it directly to another dealer to have them do a once over on it.

Various switches and minor cosmetics (plastic parts) needed to be replaced.

New alternator (US$400) at 70K miles.

Rear differential ($1000) at 73K miles.

New ABS pump ($350).

I am constantly replacing hoses, such as this small one that could have been replaced at the design stage of the car with a metal molded part. The only reason I say this is because it is about 2in. long and is nearly impossible to reach with out some effort, and a few bandages for the fingers you will undoubtly cut while trying to finish this task.

General Comments:

Generally this is good vehicle with outstanding off road and snow capabilities.

Somewhat expensive to maintain, and the dealer needs an appointment before you can give it to them. Most repairs are completed within a day, unless they have more than one car in the shop ahead of you, which is always the case. Then count on seeing it in about 4 or 5 days.

Great use as a second car.