LAND ROVER FREELANDER Td4 HSE
'BABY' RANGE ROVER
- By: RICHARD LEU
- Published: 9/01/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
The second generation Freelander has grown up in size, power, price and mind to make itself a sophisticated - not rational - choice in the premium compact SUV segment
Owners of the first generation Freelander can consider themselves fortunate now that Land Rover has stopped assembling vehicles in Thailand.
What was once supposed to be a reasonably priced SUV in its class is now the dearest around. The original Freelander asked for B2.49m in Td4 form; the second generation model tested here this week is priced at B3.99m - B1.5m more.
Even though built in the country, the BMW X3 looks pricey at B3.299m in xDrive20d specification. But not anymore, now that Land Rover has to import models from the UK in completely built-up form.
The Freelander 2 is still fortunate to a certain extent, though, because the number of players in the premium compact SUV is still very small in Thailand. The Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Volvo XC60 and Volkswagen Tiguan have yet to reach Thai shores.
Also luckier for Land Rover is the absence of small engines in the Lexus RX and Nissan Murano, both of which must be content with big, thirsty petrol V6 motors and B5m price tags.
Freelander has more upmarket interior with steering wheel design from Discovery.
So one way or another, die-hard fans of Land Rover still have a reason to celebrate, for the Freelander still has many outstanding attributes that are its own and make it an attractive proposition.
Although the looks of the Freelander aren't as masculine or rugged as before, the more mature appearance sort of reflects the design language of the upscale Range Rover division which is definitely no bad thing.
The Freelander remains a proper five-seater; space is just adequate.
Also different from the predecessor is the bigger package that now makes the Freelander a proper five-seat SUV with sufficient cargo space - one of the weakest points in the old model.
This is certainly important because SUVs need to be practical. Of course, that would have been a different story in those new, emerging breed of sporty crossovers like Land Rover's very own LRX slated to hit the market by 2010 at the earliest.
Here lies one of the biggest improvements in the Freelander: a proper boot...
This is a Freelander after all and that's why it doesn't suffer from any lack of usable space for five persons, their luggage and personal items like flasks and mobile phones. In other words, there are plenty of cubbie holes.
What just feels a little outdated in terms of practicality is the need to tuck the rear seats forward and then fold down the backrests when you want more luggage space. Most other models now feature a one-step process.
...that can be increased by folding the rear seats flat.
The decision to sell the Freelander in top-spec HSE trim meant that the practical roof rails had to make way for the fashionable glass-top and sun-roof instead, but this ultimately depends on personal requirements.
And while we are in the cabin of the Freelander, it doesn't look as flashy as before. But, again, this isn't a bad thing, because the interior design - just like the outside - has smoother lines that still look good for an SUV.
Off-road electronics for the average Joe.
Not under criticism anymore is the quality of the plastics and the overall finish, except for that tacky wood plastic on the console that keeps you wondering where on earth it came from.
In order to make the Freelander more closely associated to other models in the Land Rover range, it gets the same upmarket-feeling steering wheel of the Discovery.
Design is now more mature than before.
Because Land Rover has chosen to sell the highest specification first (we hear lower versions are coming later), the Freelander basically has got all what a typical buyer can expect when it comes to safety and comfort-related items, as well as audio gimmicks for rear occupants.
Another notable improvement in the Freelander is performance. In place of the BMW-sourced 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, the new Freelander now gets a larger 2.2-litre variation from Ford (also used by Peugeot and Citroen).
2.2-litre diesel vastly improved over old one.
This oil-burner is better in practically all aspects over the older unit (BMW doesn't use it anymore).
Refinement is now on par with all modern-day diesels, except for the inevitable clatter at idle which isn't too vocal though.
What has completely disappeared is the sluggishness of the previous model. This new 170hp/400Nm delivers the necessary grunt at all times, be it during acceleration and overtaking in the mid-ranges.
Ride and handling balance remains cool.
A more effortless performance and that six-speed automatic transmission have managed to make the Freelander more frugal than before, although the 10-11kpl range we recorded during our drive is nothing spectacular by diesel standards. At least, it isn't that thirsty, or slow to upset the economy/performance balance.
Since the Freelander is now about becoming more mature than before, Land Rover has made it an easier SUV to handle.
The steering, for one, is now lighter than before yet direct in feel. No, there was nothing wrong about the meaty rack in the first gen Freelander that really made it a pleasure to drive.
But the need to inject some driving comfort makes sense in an SUV which is prone to less hard driving than in normal cars.
Sport-utes are, in the first place, usually bought on grounds of fashion. As well, lighter than usual steering systems suit off-roading, a place where the Freelander still feels at home albeit the fact that more drivers these days don't venture off the sealed tarmac.
At least, the Freelander still has that muddy capability for those unpretentious of their SUV intentions. For less skilled drivers, there's the brand's usual Terrain Response drivetrain for easier trekking in the jungle that works well even though it's slightly gimmicky.
The ride in the Freelander remains on the comfy side and doesn't backfire at high speeds or in cornering when it comes to body control. That said, the handling/ride balance is still cool.
The only downsides of the Freelander on the move could be excessive wind noise when cruising on the legal limit and brakes that could have been a little more progressive when you want more bite.
But overall, when you look at the all-round driving ability, the Freelander still strikes a remarkably fine chord in the SUV game which is something other brands don't attempt to do so due to the growing need of sheer car-like ability.
This sort of maintains the Land Rover tradition. And add that with a largely improved package and engine, the Freelander is now the worthy all-rounder it desired to be in the first place.
Yes, the Freelander is pricey, and it has arrived rather late. But it's still an appealing way to Land Rover ownership - if you have already decided to make the decision with your heart rather than your head.
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