Fantastic Freelander 2 (Land Rover Freelander 2)

Member Name: tanyatigerlily

Product:	Land Rover Freelander 2
Date:	21/08/09 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Driving comfort

Disadvantages: Quite expensive

My husband and I are currently deciding which car to buy to replace his beloved Mini Cooper as we are planning to start a family soon and need a car which is better suited to a family's needs. We have test-driven numerous cars and I have a lot to say about all of them. I will be focussing mainly on telling you about the features and specifications that I am looking for in a family car i.e. space, comfort and the little added luxuries which make life a bit easier.

I have never been a fan of Land Rover until I got to test drive the Freelander 2 at the Canary Wharf Motor Show this year. Up till this point I had not even considered buying an SUV, but I am now a convert to the higher driving position and safety aspect. The new Freelander 2 (manual models only) makes use of stop-start technology, which means that every time you stop the car at a traffic light the engine cuts out to save on fuel. This is Land Rover's most economical car to drive in terms of MPG (42.2 combined) and carbon emissions (179). Land Rover claims that the Freelander 2 has cut fuel consumption by 20% in heavy urban traffic. Of course the engine will not cut out if you are using the air conditioning. I found the stop-start very easy to get used to (and it makes me feel as though I am doing something good for the environment).

What I like about all the models:
* Flat loading bay for boot (easy to get a push chair in and out!) with luggage capacity of 755 Litres.
* Plenty of legroom in the rear
* Very comfortable drive
* High driving position
* Solidly built and none of the materials feel cheap.

The model I chose is the Freelander 2, 2.2TD4 XS with the following additional features:
* DVD Satellite Navigation system (touch screen) with traffic updates
* Front and rear parking aid
* Half-leather seats
* Cruise control
* Climate control
* Loadspace cover
* Heated front seats
* Alpine audio system
* Bluetooth connectivity
* Terrain response

Things I would improve:
* Why have a start button when you have a square 'key' that must be slotted in anyway? Might as well have stuck to a normal key.
* No central armrest between the front 2 seats. It has individual small armrests that can be put up and down at will. I personally prefer the central armrest found in the Range Rover.
* Hand grips next to the seats are only made for child-sized hands.
* The dashboard is a bit fussy with too many dials and buttons

As it is a Land Rover I must mention the off-road capabilities. My husband and I went for a fantastic 'Land Rover Experience' day near Milton Keynes and got to try out the Freelander's off-road features. I was pleasantly surprised to find how easy it is to use. Basically the Freelander has a turning dial which has 4 settings: 1) General driving 2) Grass/gravel/snow which improves traction control 3) Mud and ruts which is for unsurfaced roads and muddy tracks (including clay) 4) Loose sand. All you need to do is turn the dial to whichever setting is appropriate. The Freelander also has hill descent which brakes for you when going down an incline (this is automatically activated when you select Mud and Ruts, or you can manually turn it on at any time). If you are considering buying a Freelander 2 for off-road driving I would strongly recommend buying the model with the automatic gearbox as it makes it much easier to go up and down those impossible angles.

With Land Rover you pay a bit more than other car manufacturers. In fact I would say you are buying a lifestyle rather than a car. The on-the-road price for the Freelander 2, 2.2TD4 XS is £27 995.

Summary: An excellent medium sized SUV for on-road and off-road usage

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