Land Rover Freelander Review
Published: 10th February 2005
Land Rover Freelander SE
Safety and Security 
The following safety & security equipment is standard on the Land Rover Freelander SE:
Driver and passenger airbags, front seat belt pre-tensioners, driver seatbelt load limiters, front passenger seatbelt load limiters, three point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints for all rear seat passengers, diagonal side intrusion beams, centre rear high mounted stop lamp, remote central locking with single point entry, radio frequency remote control with rolling code, perimetric alarm, robust passive engine immobilisation, high security door locks, wheel locknuts, spare wheel locknut, impact resistant polymer front wings and headlamp lenses, low fuel warning light, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Traction Control (ETC) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
We would like to see side and curtain airbags.
Comfort and Refinement
Apart from the light and airy cabin and the obvious height advantage the Freelander has both a practical and luxurious interior with ample cabin space for a family of 5. Head and leg room is good but those over 6 feet tall might find head room limited. The wide opening doors and high seating position make it particularly easy to get in and out of. If you are on the shorter side optional integrated side protection runners would be helpful as they aid getting in and out of the vehicle.
The seats are new and offer better body and under-thigh comfort, unfortunately the drivers seat is not height adjustable which could prove problematic for the shorter driver. The drivers seat features adjustable lumbar support and the leather steering wheel is tilt adjustable enabling you to find the perfect seating position.
The Alcantara/leather seating surfaces were sumptuous to look at and touch and the heated front seats were comfortable, especially as we were at the helm for eight hours a day for a week. We made use of the heated windscreen on several occasions, which was quick to clear. Additionally there is air conditioning and an optional electric sunroof fitted to our test car.
It is a pity we didn’t make use of the power folding door mirrors earlier as a foreign tourist thought he would fit past on a minor road near to Loch Ness, in fact if we hadn't taken avoidance action, we could have tested the Freelander's under water capabilities.
The Land Rover Freelander SE's level of refinement is high and includes:
Rear seat armrest (standard with alcantara/leather), electric front windows with one touch drivers, electric rear windows, heated rear window with wash/wipe, twin electric/heated door mirrors and illuminated passenger sunvisor and an illuminated glove box.
How It Looks - Exterior
We like the new look Land Rover Freelander, it is a very effective makeover - even the heavier tinted rear windows work well and it is more aggressive in stance.
There is no doubt that this is a Land Rover product - the 2004 model has been brought in-line with its bigger brother the Range Rover. The front bumpers, headlamps and the front grille are new. The new twin-pocket clear lens headlamps are very similar to those of the new Range Rover; incredibly they are 70% more effective than the old model.
Land Rover has made a good job of the facelift and have added value to the design. You can see the design influence from other models in the range including the battle hardened Defender.
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