Likes
- Class leading off-roading ability.
- Still a refined and enjoyable driving experience.
- Land Rover brand panache and image.
- Offering great value for money on the used market.
Liked by Europeans if largely ignored by Australians, the original Land Rover Freelander (1998-2007) was a compact, vaguely capable crossover SUV, a mould-breaker for its maker as its first vehicle of monocoque construction. Built in five- or funky three-door Hardback and Softback guises, it was a forerunner of the small, upmarket SUV set, well before Euro rivals had a similar crack, and would eventually, spiritually, be reborn as the Range Rover Evoque.
But its successor, the Freelander 2, was a hard-left departure you almost wonder how the namesake carried over. All-new, five-door only and largely aping the styling – and some of the vibe – of its pricier and more lavish Defender and (Range Rover) Discovery stablemates, the ‘2’ was less a hard, youthful departure and pitched more as a ‘real’ and mature Land Rover wagon, scaled down a bit on size and price.
Under its skin, the Freelander 2 sits on a modified version of Ford’s EUCD mid-sized platform shared with everything from Mondeo to a slew of Volvo models, a transverse-engine design capable of front- or all-wheel drive. Built in China, India and Jordan, the Freelander 2s sold Down Under were sourced from Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood, UK, assembly plant.
Launched in June 2007, the Freelander two offered a choice of two engines: a Volvo-sourced 3.2-litre naturally aspirated six good for 171kW and 317Nm or a 2.2-litre turbodiesel four, outputting 118kW and 400Nm, from PSA (Peugeot Citroen). Initially, all Aussie variants we fitted with a six-speed torque-convertor automatics.
While the original Freelander was panned for being an off-road pretender, the ‘2’ fitted four-wheel drive technically related to that used in Discovery 3. Its four-mode Terrain Response system, developed with Haldex, was augmented with hill descent control, gradient release and roll stabilisation trickery. No low-range, but the Freelander 2 has proven itself to be pretty handy nevertheless off the beaten path.
In terms of variant choice, the range initially kicked off at just under $50k for the petrol (called Si6) SE trim with the oiler engine (called Td4) wanting for a $2500 premium. The step up to the full-fruit HSE was six grand extra for either powertrain choice. In late 2009, the strangely named, stripped back Td4_e arrived, on an MY10 plate, to add an oiler-only six-speed-manual choice for the off-roading lovers for a thrifty $46k.
A new wide-grille facelift arrived in late 2010 for MY21 and with it the range got quite a few updates. A third variant, called XS, arrived right around here as a new cut-priced entry version (albeit the same price as original SE).
It also brought an expanded choice of two diesel engines, a revised Td4 tune good for 110kW and 420Nm as well as a more-powerful SD4 trim offering an extra 30kW (140kW total) if with the same peak torque.
The SD4 oiler heartbeat would be used as a premium sweetened for variants such as the flagship (circa-$69k) HSE Luxury and the XS Sport Edition ($60k). The Sport Edition, with its more Tarmac-centric sport body kit and 19-inch wheels, could also be had in 3.2 petrol form, albeit without the output and performance hike enjoyed by the diesel version.
In late 2012 (for MY13), the ‘Si4’ engine arrived, a Rover-sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injected petrol four outputting 177kW and 340Nm, sent the 3.2-litre Volvo engine packing from the range.
Despite some critical acclaim and plenty of devotee owners, the FreeLander 2 became increasingly overshadowed in its lifecycle by a groundswell of premium German mid-sized SUVs that buyers, who weren’t interested in multi-terrain capabilities, were flocking more towards.
Closer to home, the Range Rover Evoque was, from 2011, wooing the trendsetters. And, with Freelander 2 departed in 2015, a new Land Rover Discovery Sport slotted in neatly as the logical, luxury five-door wagon replacement.
Well, it depends but, probably not.
Yes the Freelander is one of the better Land Rover products to buy, (thanks to many of the critical components not being from Land Rover at all), and if you do genuinely require an SUV this size, for this budget that has genuine off-roading ability, it is one of the more talented vehicles out there.
Plus it is widely regarded as being very attractive, it is quite nice to drive on-road and yes it comes with that “Land Rover” brand panache.
However, if you’re rarely if ever driving off-road and you’re buying a Freelander 2 purely because, “it’s a Land Rover”, please don’t be fooled by the marketing hype, you’re smarter than that.
There are other SUVs at this budget that will drive just as nicely, if not even better on-road, that come with the same or better levels of tech and creature comforts, that are just as practical yet have a far better reputation for reliability and if in the rare case something were to go wrong, should cost far less to repair.
Sure the likes of Mazda CX5, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and equivalent others won’t quite match a Freelander 2 off-road, and they’ll lose in the battle of brand snobbery but the alternatives from most of the Japanese and South Korean manufacturers are a far more intelligent choice.
In saying that, yes there are the incredibly rare unicorn examples of these out there that have never ever had an issue thanks
Well, it depends but, probably not.
Yes the Freelander is one of the better Land Rover products to buy, (thanks to many of the critical components not being from Land Rover at all), and if you do genuinely require an SUV this size, for this budget that has genuine off-roading ability, it is one of the more talented vehicles out there.
Plus it is widely regarded as being very attractive, it is quite nice to drive on-road and yes it comes with that “Land Rover” brand panache.
However, if you’re rarely if ever driving off-road and you’re buying a Freelander 2 purely because, “it’s a Land Rover”, please don’t be fooled by the marketing hype, you’re smarter than that.
There are other SUVs at this budget that will drive just as nicely, if not even better on-road, that come with the same or better levels of tech and creature comforts, that are just as practical yet have a far better reputation for reliability and if in the rare case something were to go wrong, should cost far less to repair.
Sure the likes of Mazda CX5, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and equivalent others won’t quite match a Freelander 2 off-road, and they’ll lose in the battle of brand snobbery but the alternatives from most of the Japanese and South Korean manufacturers are a far more intelligent choice.
In saying that, yes there are the incredibly rare unicorn examples of these out there that have never ever had an issue thanks to having a full and thorough service history, buying one of those Freelander 2’s is still a risk but a far more calculated one, taking that risk is up to you but a perfect one of these is still a brilliant thing.
But the reality is, nobody’s perfect.
Well, it depends but, probably not.
Yes the Freelander is one of the better Land Rover products to buy, (thanks to many of the critical components not being from Land Rover at all), and if you do genuinely require an SUV this size, for this budget that has genuine off-roading ability, it is one of the more talented vehicles out there.
Plus it is widely regarded as being very attractive, it is quite nice to drive on-road and yes it comes with that “Land Rover” brand panache.
However, if you’re rarely if ever driving off-road and you’re buying a Freelander 2 purely because, “it’s a Land Rover”, please don’t be fooled by the marketing hype, you’re smarter than that.
There are other SUVs at this budget that will drive just as nicely, if not even better on-road, that come with the same or better levels of tech and creature comforts, that are just as practical yet have a far better reputation for reliability and if in the rare case something were to go wrong, should cost far less to repair.
Sure the likes of Mazda CX5, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and equivalent others won’t quite match a Freelander 2 off-road, and they’ll lose in the battle of brand snobbery but the alternatives from most of the Japanese and South Korean manufacturers are a far more intelligent choice.
In saying that, yes there are the incredibly rare unicorn examples of these out there that have never ever had an issue thanks to having a full and thorough service history, buying one of those Freelander 2’s is still a risk but a far more calculated one, taking that risk is up to you but a perfect one of these is still a brilliant thing.
But the reality is, nobody’s perfect.
Body Styles
Engine Specs
Transmission
Fuel Consumption
Body Styles
Engine Specs
Transmission
Fuel Consumption
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Kerb Weight
Towing
Ancap Ratings
Body Styles
Engine Specs
Transmission
Fuel Consumption
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Kerb Weight
Towing
Ancap Ratings
Warranty
Servicing
Have ultimate peace of mind when buying a used car by purchasing an official PPSR report.
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Apr 08, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
Read our full terms and conditions here.
You are the best, the content in your videos is so helpful, delivered in a great way. Please keep going as for sure you are unique in every way. All the best from Guatemala
L. G. - YouTube
You guys have truly found something wonderful… Loved this channel ever since from the beginning… Will support you guys as long as you guys keep making these wonderful car reviews…
Calvin - YouTube
This is probably the best channel I have ever seen when reviewing vehicles. New or old. The honesty is so appreciated. I’ve been a mechanic for 20 years and I find it very informative when looking for a vehicle for my daughter. Keep up the awesome work.
Jason T. - YouTube
© 2024 ReDriven All Rights Reserved