Land Rover Freelander Review

Rating

Quick Summary

Recommended. Beneath the familiar styling the Freelander is all-new - and vastly improved.

Road Test

The Freelander has grown up, with the all-new second generation version bigger and better in every regard than the somewhat disappointing original.

The design is very familiar - possibly too familiar. Land Rover has opted to produce a car that looks very like the model it replaces, something the company might come to regret if this Freelander starts to look stale before its time.

At least the cabin is unambiguously better than that of the original car, featuring similar design themes to the Range Rover and Discovery. The dashboard is clearly laid out and an integrated full-colour satnav display screen is now an option. It looks good and the controls are all easy to find, but in some areas build quality feels a bit flimsy compared to the high standards set by segment rivals. There's a reasonably amount of space for four adults, but legroom is a bit tight in the back for taller occupants.

The Freelander drives very well thanks to excellent noise insulation and a compliant chassis, both of which make for relaxed long-distance cruising. It's not a particularly sporty drive, but roll angles are kept under control and the Freelander remains safe and predictable under hard cornering. Off-road ability is excellent, something which will help distinguish the baby Landie from its road-biased "soft roader" rivals.

Now that the V6 petrol has been dropped, the only choice is the excellent "TD4" diesel engine, which is actually a re-branded version of the Ford-Peugeot-Citroen joint venture engine. It's smooth, refined and respectably economical, given the 1770 kg it has to propel.

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