Land Rover Freelander
Our class-leading compact SUV faces a challenge to its crown
No other manufacturer can rival Land Rover when it comes to 4x4 kudos, and the Freelander 2 is a prime example of its expertise. It has taken the Best Compact SUV title at our New Car Awards for the past four years...
The styling is effortlessly upmarket and workmanlike at the same time, and the classless appeal gives the car a unique selling point here. Its chunky detailing and well proportioned looks have been updated recently, with a new front bumper being added, plus a revised grille and smarter light clusters front and rear.
Aside from the introduction of fresh dials, the cabin hasn’t changed much – but that’s no bad thing, as it’s one of the most comfortable and relaxing layouts around. While you don’t get the Audi’s executive air or the BMW’s attractive simplicity, the chunky controls and robust finish mix utilitarian charm with a hi-tech feel.
From behind the wheel, the high seating position, well cushioned seats and great visibility mean the Freelander feels like a full-sized 4x4. Rear passengers don’t get the benefit of this, though. The car has the shortest wheelbase of our quartet (which aids off-road ability in extreme situations), so legroom is tighter than in the BMW. However, the stadium-style seating ensures tall passengers
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The biggest drawback is the boot. It’s short and narrow, and offers 405 litres of space with the seats in place – that’s 145 litres less than the X3. Still, if you fold the rear chairs flat and load the Land Rover to the roof, it has the biggest capacity.
The Freelander has always scored on driving appeal, and the 2.2-litre diesel has been updated to improve performance and cut emissions. This more powerful 188bhp SD4 version is offered solely with the slick six-speed auto box, and while it doesn’t have manual control, changes are smooth, which suits the engine’s relaxed character.
At idle, the powerplant is refined, plus it has more power than the BMW or Audi, and produces 420Nm of torque. As a result the Freelander is quick to respond and delivers strong performance. Land Rover’s ingenious Terrain Response system makes the most of this.
It even features a Snow setting, which helped the car cope impressively in the snow and ice. So the Freelander remains the default choice if you head off the beaten track regularly.
It’s pretty good on the tarmac, too. There’s more body roll than you experience in the BMW and Audi, but this movement is well controlled and the car feels reassuringly composed.
The steering is light, precise and very communicative, while the ride is superb. Supple suspension irons out imperfections and the cabin delivers serene comfort around town and at motorway speeds.
Few cars are as relaxing to drive or capable off-road, then. And while this ability doesn’t come cheap – our top-spec HSE is the most costly car here – you get lots of kit for the £36,245 price.
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WHY: Latest Freelander is as good as ever, and powerful SD4 diesel delivers 188bhp.
