Land Rover Freelander 2 – First Steer
July 1, 2007 by Paul Maric
Despite missing my flight and arriving late, the rest of the Land Rover Freelander 2 launch went off without a hitch.
It’s been around 10 years since the last Freelander was launched and suffice to say, the previous model was getting a bit long in the tooth. Freelander 2’s big brothers – the Discovery and Range Rover – currently sell in large numbers throughout Australia, so the Freelander 2 has some big shoes to fill.
Located on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Land Rover prepared a host of driving conditions ranging from twisty sections of road, right through to death defying hill climbs to launch the new Freelander 2.
Under the bonnet, the Freelander 2 is available with two engines – a petrol motor and a Diesel motor. The 2.2-litre Peugeot developed Diesel motor produces 118kW and a mammoth 400Nm of torque. The 3.2-litre inline 6-cylinder motor on the other hand produces a commendable 171kW and 317Nm of torque. Both motors are powered exclusively through a smooth-as-silk 6-speed Aisin gearbox which also features a sport and manual shift mode.
One of the on-road sections included a set of consecutive twisty corners. Generally, an SUV such as the Freelander 2 will lean over and make an almighty fuss when thrown around like a sedan. But, with excellent steering response and feel, the Freelander 2’s chassis was compliant enough to be punted through corner after corner, much like a well sorted sedan.
So, half the job was done. The next – and probably most important – part was to test the Freelander 2’s ability off the beaten track. What better place than a purpose built 4WD track located in Queensland’s Mt Cotton region.
I had a chance to push the Freelander 2 through some pretty intense ruts, water crossings and an unsettling set of hills to test the Freelander 2’s Terrain Response 4WD system which integrates four 4WD modes that tailor power delivery and stability control for a range of off-road conditions. Aside from my driving companion and I ‘deliberately’ getting stuck half way up a gravity defying hill, the Freelander 2 constantly conquered conditions that most SUVs wouldn’t even dare attempting.
Available in two models – SE and HSE, the Freelander 2 is well appointed when it comes to features. Standard across the SE range includes: 17” alloy wheels; full-sized spare wheel; terrain response; rear parking sensors; heated, power mirrors; auto headlights; auto wipers; dual zone climate control; cruise control; leather seats; 6-disc CD player; fog lights and headlight washers. SE models are available for $49,990 and $51,990 for petrol and Diesel respectively.
The HSE models add: 18”alloy wheels; Bi-xenon headlights; front parking sensors; puddle lamps; 3-setting memory function for driver’s seat and mirrors; auto-dimming interior mirror; high-grade stereo with 9-speakers and MP3 compatibility and rear headphone module. A technology pack is available for an additional $6,890 on HSE models which includes: full colour DVD navigation with touch screen; active Bi-xenon headlights with auto-levelling which ‘see around corners’ and Bluetooth phone integration. HSE models are available for $55,990 and $57,990 for petrol and Diesel respectively.
With modest pricing and gorgeous looks, it’s hard to look past the new Land Rover Freelander 2. With stellar on and off-road ability, along with a 5-star EuroNCAP rating, the Freelander 2 presents a brilliant package. The Diesel is the pick of the bunch, consuming a modest amount of fuel and providing the best off-road drive. Unlike the previous Freelander, the Freelander 2 is one that I would simply love to own.
- by Paul Maric
Print it: 
0 
0 
will look GREAT on the back of a tilt tray!
the place i see more landrovers than any car!
Man I love the look of the new Freelander, it looks like a mini Rangie!
Looking at some of the offroad photos, it looks like it can handle itself offroad too.
the shape and style looks like a cross between a Nissan X-Trail and the previous Ford Explorer, the front end looks very much like the current Ford Escape. But if the testing performance is anything to go by, looks like a solid unit and will give buyers of mid-priced SUV’s another quality option. But I also agree with Troy, you dont’ see many Land Rovers on the road, apart from the 10-15 year old Discovery.
Looks like a mini rangie to me I have an X-trail and trust me the landy aint no X-trail look a like
Troy, Mate do you see where most landcruisers end up? Rusting in peoples backyards. I see more landcruisers rusting away than landrovers!
Landrovers are very reliable. Everyone knows they go anywhere and through anything.
the new Freelander is brilliant. I’ve been in one and its great.
The backup and the service team are great too.
And the fact that you don’t see many landrovers around, gosh I saw about 6 just on the way to work.
My dad has just bought a Si6 SE in black with a black interior. He got the optional 18″ wheels from the HSE and now there isn’t much difference between the SE and HSE at all! It’s very nice and it looks great (especially in black!)
whats the freelander 2004 Td4 like
i am told that the electrics system are very bad with landrovers in the tropics and heat/humidity
Reliable sort of with – quality… now that is extremely funny. Heard many stories about LandRover and how weird they are put together. Was told by Pommie friend to steer clear of them and feedback got was not positive; neutral or negative at best! One guy told me at Fraser Island front light off Discovery just fell off!
Other feedback got was Freelander are worse quality then Discovery – how do I know as nearly got one and checked out direct feedback and did research with owners and mechanics.
Landrover Reliable?!! Your kidding right?! You know the range rover discover on last year’s Australian 4wd monthly “4wd of the year” tests… the Land Rover Discovery Failed to even complete the test. It broke down in middle of the bush… It also was labeled as the worst quality 4wd in The U.S…
If you want something good offroad, dont waste your money on this soft roader…
I have just bought the Td4 HSE with tech pack and comfort pack. Total 75k drive away. Try getting a 3 series BMW for that with all options. Not likely. This 4WD is hot. I have read many US based reviews of owners and there are know known problems to date. No recalls. Zilch. This is a new vehicle from ground up. It is the ultimate package to a 20 something city slicker. Oversee those losers in hatchbacks and coupes. Freelander 2 gives you power. You sit high and you look down upon lower society. Don’t buy one people, the fewer on the road, the greater my superiority.
My Freelander 1998 diesel has been reliable, has gone through some very rough territory although I would consider it not a full 4×4, and the only problem was a minor clutch repair. what I don’t like about Freelander 2 is that the inside doesn’t look like a landrover…where are all the storage trays, the brilliant rubber mats..what’s with the dash? I’ll stick with the old girl, no the American-oriented, SUV inspired looking newby. love land-rover, got doubts about this chocolate-box
I have just ordered the Td4 HSE in Russia i live i Dubai and need a car in Russia as i travel there quite a bit and hire cars not an option. Having looked around at whats avalable and knowing the road conditions its the best value for money option. They are also very popular in Russia for those who can aford them as all western cars are expensive. Will be getting my car in July on my next trip in southern Siberia Alti mountain region and looking forward to see how it does. Have own the new dicovery and apart from some problems with the air suspention which landrover people sorted out happly i was happy, i an now a Lexsus driver and very very happy with that, the new freelands will have some tough boots to fill.