27 September 2011

The scoop
The Freelander TD4 2 is Land Rover’s latest addition to the compact, all-terrain wagon segment. It’s a slick-looking car that isn’t afraid to get dirty. Pricing starts at $45,590.

The drive
In its effort to straddle both on-road and off-road capabilities, the Freelander 2 comes more than prepared for a bit of rough and tumble with a terrain response system with four settings: on-road, grass/gravel/snow, mud, and sand. Further, clean-freaks can rejoice with the interior floor cover as carpet on one side and water-resistant on the other so you can throw in wet gear whenever you are.

The four-wheel drive technology pre-charges the hydraulic system so that four-wheel drive is rearing and ready to tackle the terrain from the get go. Engine performance is decent but honestly, not as strong as you’d expect for a vehicle of this size and calibre.

If you’re going to take the Freelander off-road as Land Rover plans, you obviously will expect and want it to withstand the environment. Living up to your expectations then, the Land Rover comes with double-sided zinc-coated steel panels on the body, which act as anti-corrosion insurance. Other vulnerable areas are either coated in or made from scratch- and impact-resistant materials so this Freelander isn’t that precious after all.

The Freelander 2 fulfills its on-road promise with handling that’s very car-like, and responsive steering.

Safety
ANCAP is yet to crash-test this model. We’ll get back to you.

Green factor
Stop/start technology saves fuel and lowers emissions and this is of course all good, but you can obtain better fuel economy in other models in the off-road category so it’s worth researching its competitors if this is important to you.

Describe the car in 3 words
Versatile, average, premium-priced.

Best thing about the car
The Freelander 2 TD4 may be sturdy but the drive is easy.

Downsides about the car
Competing four-wheel drives deliver the same for less.

Soundtrack for this car
Far East Movement.