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4X4
Land Rover brought all of its off-road expertise to the soft-roader sector with the first-generation Freelander. It was amazingly able in the dirt for this class.
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Thankfully, Land Rover also endowed it with excellent on-road comfort and handling that only the Toyota RAV4 could hope to match. Full-time four-wheel drive gives the Freelander secure handling. And, while there’s too much lean in corners, the upside is a very supple ride and, when you venture off-road, the Freelander doesn't try to rearrange your internal organs. There’s an excellent driving position and seating for five, while the boot is generous enough to cope with a family’s holiday baggage. The drop-down window in the rear door is a bonus when reaching for lighter luggage.
Running Costs
The Freelander may be the baby of Land Rover’s range, but it has the appetite of a baby elephant. The 1.8-litre petrol engine is underpowered and average economy of around 27.0mpg can soon take its toll on the wallet. The 2.0 Td4 diesel is the cheapest to fuel and the most reliable, turning in around 37mpg, and has proved a very durable engine. The 2.5 V6 is understressed and bears up well. If only the same could be said for the rear differential and suspension, which both give trouble on many Freelanders. If you hear a grumbling noise from the rear of the car, move on to the next one on your shortlist. Land Rover dealers are among the priciest to use, so an independent garage is a better bet for servicing. Thankfully, insurance and other running costs, such as tyres, are much the same as for the Freelander’s key rivals.