Luxury Coach is an oxymoron…
With us since 2006, first generation S-Max demonstrated admirably that a 7-seater need not look, ride or handle like a minibus, making it a somewhat hard act to follow. Over to you, Mondeo-platformed Mk II…
Queen of the Slipstream or Routemaster?
Very much the former. However, having lost that roving voyeur-friendly depth of side glazing, the second generation car is now merely good, rather than great, looking. Wheels 3″ smaller than Discovery Sport’s bode well for ride comfort.
Magnificent Seven or Two Mules for Sister Sara?
Superior front seat comfort. Rows stadium tiered to maximise visibility. Middle row outers tilt and slide for access to terrorist class. All five independent rear seats dropped by one-touch loadspace wall-mounted buttons. Virtuous versatility.
As much use as mudguards on a tortoise.
Some 20 new toys available -including endless active safety paraphernalia- make for a technological kitchen sink and potential for substantial price hike. Sony multimedia upgrade, adaptive LED headlights, panorama roof and self-levelling suspension are must-haves.
Oh Lordy; yet another clutch of 2.0 litre diesels…
Matches Land Rover power, but less torque, so slowest away from the lights here. Also only manual in the group, with slick gear change marred by console lid/elbow clash. Smooth and quiet, but won’t pull away in 2nd.
Tub of Lard or Spiders on Vaseline?
Very good indeed to drive. Suspension firm enough for fine body control and grip, yet always pliant with sophisticated bump absorption. Standard steering far better than active option. The whole encourages the carrying of ample velocity.
Verdict
Least expensive offering here, yet clearly the most complete all-rounder by a considerable chalk.
CAR WINNER
Luxury Coach is an oxymoron…
Hatched when buses still had conductors, touch screen was something you’d rather your sticky-fingered toddler didn’t do to the telly, and the Espace was king of the seven-passengers-without-their-luggage road. Ford has moved on from the Galaxy, VW has not.
Queen of the Slipstream or Routemaster?
Still has a poster of an Intercity 125 on its bedroom wall, and proud of it. Power operated sliding rear doors managed to close on CJ’s hand as he reached for his seatbelt. Not clever.
Magnificent Seven or Two Mules for Sister Sara?
Most spacious, well-considered 7-seat layout here, if not the most comfortable. Properly tiered throughout, with stacks of second row legroom, but no seat back rake adjustment. Easy access to most capacious third row in group.
As much use as mudguards on a tortoise.
Standard high-spec VW fare with fast MirrorLink connectivity (unless you own an iPhone), and an amusing app which affords you a touch-screen view of errant offspring from a windscreen-suckered GoPro. Wide-angled mirror less bother to rig.
Oh Lordy; yet another clutch of 2.0 litre diesels.
Willing powerplant makes Sharan pretty lively off the mark for such a blatant bus, yet will cruise quietly with wind noise predominating. 6-speed automatic smooth and well suited to the task. Doddle to drive.
Tub of Lard or Spiders on Vaseline?
Rides comfortably enough, despite firm underpinnings which thump at bumps occasionally. Surprisingly good to steer, with higher levels of grip than expected, despite predictable measures of body roll. Over upright driving position most bus-like attribute.
Verdict
Fun Run; that’s an oxymoron too. Lacks the Ford’s dynamic charms, but this is probably the best minibus you’ll ever drive.
Luxury Coach is an oxymoron…
Morphed from Active Tourer to Gran Tourer by the addition of two extra seats. Third tier bit of a tall order on this platform, though? M Sport here merely means 20″ wheels and a tougher ride.
Queen of the Slipstream or Routemaster?
Good looking hooter gives way to somewhat goofy rear modification aimed at awarding a modicum of headroom to third row seating. Smacks of 5-seater hastily tinkered with to accommodate 7. Which, of course, is exactly…
Magnificent Seven or Two Mules for Sister Sara?
…what the interior confirms it to be. Second row is just 60:40 split bench, only affording decent legroom when slid fully astern. Third row cramped and hard to access, with minimal headroom. Granny would snap.
As much use as mudguards on a tortoise.
Manual front seat adjustment the usual BMW nightmare, but otherwise well specified. Excellent connectivity, head-up display and pointlessly wide sat nav screen showing nearby places you’re not going to. Learning to live with iDrive control.
Oh Lordy; yet another clutch of 2.0 litre diesels.
At least 200 bags of sugar lighter than anything else here, and the most powerful; so, in this context, something of a stabbed rat. Exceptionally smooth 8-speed auto box. Tyre roar drowns engine entirely.
Tub of Lard or Spiders on Vaseline?
Predictably tough low speed ride, but better the faster you travel. Extremely well planted at speed, and relishes changes of direction on sweeping A roads. Clearly the best high speed drive here, but tough on the family.
Verdict
Good to drive quickly, but all too clearly a slightly clumsy derivative of the Active Tourer, both visually and ergonomically.
Luxury Coach is an oxymoron…
With the Evoke denied 5-seat Freelander status, it’s hardly surprising that this was similarly denied 7-seat Freelander dubbing. Designed to boast three rows from the outset, so hopefully makes a decent fist of it…
Queen of the Slipstream or Routemaster?
Neither. Just a tad odd looking, with rakish, DS3-style C pillar absent elsewhere in Land/Range Rover oeuvre. Undeniably sportier looking than standard Discovery, but then so is the average wardrobe.
Magnificent Seven or Two Mules for Sister Sara?
Front adequate. Sliding second row offers ample legroom, but third row simply inaccessible to human beings. No headroom, foot space occupied by cup holders and luggage cover relegated to outside shed. Woefully ill-conceived.
As much use as mudguards on a tortoise.
Top-of-the-range model boasting all the toys. Elegantly robust dashboard design houses latest JLR touch-screen technology, which remains well behind the curve, especially given the astonishing price. Hats off, grudgingly, to the marketing department.
Oh Lordy; yet another clutch of 2.0 litre diesels.
The only all-wheel drive powertrain here mates the highest torque output to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Hard to find gears 7,8 and 9, but feels eager on the throttle and economy and emissions better than large predecessor.
Tub of Lard or Spiders on Vaseline?
Plenty of road noise on 20″ wheels, but does that gently imperious Evoke thing of riding and handling far better than it has a right to. Lacks the outright tenacity of the S-Max or BMW, still impressive, though.
Verdict
The badge will sell it, as usual, despite the hefty price tag. But hard to fathom a car designed from scratch with third row seating fit only for punishment.