Land Rover Freelander Road Test

Land Rover Freelander

Terrain Response also changes the setting of the electronic centre coupling, to optimise 4x4 drive in tough conditions. This is all the stuff (well nearly) of the Freelander’s bigger sibling the Land Rover Discovery 3, although as one would expect the Discovery is in a different off-road league.

The full colour touch screen navigation with TMC (Traffic Message Channel) is standard; therefore you have no excuse to get stuck in traffic as the navigation system will automatically re-plot your route to avoid accidents and road works.

The exterior and interior design of the Freelander 2 is completely new, integrating the company’s design DNA across the entire Land Rover range.

“We purposely kept strong cues from the original Freelander, such as the clamshell bonnet, stepped roof and the basic form,” says Land Rover design director Geoff Upex. “But the overall look is new and much more contemporary. The design is chiselled, geometric and simple - it looks like it’s hewn from the solid. We have kept a close design relationship with the new Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport, but interpreted the design language to suit the requirements of customers for a more compact 4x4.”

The body is a five-door monocoque structure, with a high level of torsional rigidity which benefits refinement, comfort and handling on-road as well as ensuring the vehicle is fit for serious off-roading. The suspension is fully independent and uses the most modern stability control systems, including Roll Stability Control (RSC), a new and sophisticated technology that helps mitigate the risk of roll-over.

Land Rover thoughtfully had supplied our car with pixel metallic effect trim rather than some of the questionable wooden trim options.

The Land Rover Freelander 2 now feels as grown up as its bigger brothers, especially the Discovery 3. It would be a difficult choice between the two; we guess that this would depend on your application and budget.

We could not describe the Land Rover Freelander 2.2 TD4 HSE as a low-cost SUV at nearly £31,000, considering that for £1,000 less you can have a seven seat Land Rover Discovery 3, albeit with a lesser specification than that found on the HSE Freelander - so from a financial perspective this is a premium compact SUV.

The Freelander 2 has stepped up the social ladder, entering the lower echelons of the Discovery3.  I am sure that some Discovery3 owners will see it as a viable option. We liked the Freelander 2 it is in a different league to the previous model and stands well above its closest rivals.

Land Rover Freelander