Land Rover Takes Home TWO New Car Awards!

The Discovery 3 won Best Large SUV and the Freelander 2 the Best Compact SUV at the prestigious Auto Express 2009 New Car Awards. Nice...

The Discovery 3 won Best Large SUV against the likes of the BMW X6, and the Freelander 2 garnered the Best Compact SUV vs. the Audi Q5 and the Ford Kuga.

Auto Express Motoring and Digital editor, Daniel Strong said: "When it comes to off-road credentials, few firms can match the history and experience of one of Britain's best loved motoring brands. Land Rover celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, but it shows no signs of slowing down.

As to the Freelander 2, he added: "A host of new metal has arrived in the past 12 months with the aim of knocking the Freelander 2 off the top of the off-road summit, but the Land Rover's depth of talent has seen it retain its title as the best compact SUV. The entry-level Land Rover is accomplished on road and absolutely peerless in the mud, where it feels every bit as capable as models from the class above. It's this ability, along with its practicality as a family car, which made the Freelander 2 such a big hit with our judges."

On the Discovery 3 model, Strong continued: "It's not hard to see why it took our top award, because its versatile design fulfills many roles - from seven-seater MPV to off-tarmac workhorse."

Land Rover UK's managing director, John Edwards, said: "We are very proud to receive these two awards from Auto Express. Winning the Best Compact category with the Freelander 2 for the third consecutive year is an incredible achievement in this highly competitive sector.

"The Discovery 3 continues to receive numerous high-status accolades and we are confident that its successor, the new Discovery 4, will build upon the superb achievements of the outgoing model with new powertrain, improved dynamics and a fresh design."

Yes... regarding the new Discovery 4... we'll have something to say about that, next.