Skip advert
Advertisement

Land Rover Freelander 2010 review

Do nip and tuck styling and fresh diesel keep 4x4 on top?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Land Rover Freelander 2
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

An already accomplished car just got a bit better. Everything that made the previous Freelander so popular – its off-road ability, on-road refinement and sumptuous cabin – remains. Plus, the greener, more powerful diesel and enhanced styling make it a more enticing product. But at £35,510 for this flagship, buyers might be tempted by the upcoming Range Rover Evoque.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Freelander is boldly going where no Land Rover has gone before! This is the new facelifted model, featuring fresh engines and updated looks. Plus, for the first time in the firm’s history, a two-wheel-drive version is on the way.

Previously, the 158bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel was the sole power option. But the unit has been recalibrated, fitted with a more efficient turbocharger and is now offered with a choice of outputs: 148bhp and 187bhp.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Freelander

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"68635","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

As the ultra-efficient two-wheel-drive Freelander doesn’t arrive until January, we tried a top-spec SD4 HSE, with the more powerful engine mated to an auto box as standard. Despite the extra grunt, this car claims 14 per cent better CO2 and economy, at 185g/km and 40.4mpg respectively.

On the move, the four-cylinder still can’t match the silky smoothness of the six and eight-cylinder units in larger Land Rovers, but it provides plenty of torque for punchy acceleration, especially with the additional horsepower.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Stonic

2024 Kia

Stonic

14,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £18,100
View Stonic
Tucson

2023 Hyundai

Tucson

13,452 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £21,300
View Tucson
Aygo

2021 Toyota

Aygo

14,101 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £9,900
View Aygo
A3 Saloon

2024 Audi

A3 Saloon

26,091 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £22,300
View A3 Saloon

A superbly insulated cabin means engine and road noise are virtually eliminated at anything but full throttle, while effortless steering and comfortable seats – now in higher-grade Windsor Leather – make the car perfect for long trips.

Styling changes are subtle to say the least. A fresh front bumper, reshaped foglights and new honeycomb grille mark out the SUV, with the latter getting a bright finish on our 187bhp model and darker metal on the 148bhp variant. At the back, the tailgate handle is now body coloured, with a full-width chrome strip. The similarities to the outgoing Freelander are just as obvious from behind the wheel, as the newcomer is still imperious off-road, and retains its relaxed manners and superb refinement on the tarmac.

Even though it has gained 30bhp, the revised engine offers similar pace. But you can’t argue with the improved economy and impressive performance figures. However, the model that will really shake up the compact SUV class is the front-wheel-drive-only eD4. It promises 47.2mpg economy and 158g/km of CO2 – and proves Land Rover is taking its environmental responsibilities seriously.

Rival: BMW X3
New X3 debuts at this week’s Paris Motor Show, and with the xDrive20d variant returning 50mpg-plus, it’s the class’s economy king. But prices start at a hefty £30,490.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,763 off RRP*Used from £11,595
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £14,499
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £32,828
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month
MG ZS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month

The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July
News
3 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025