0 useful votes
Review Land-rover Freelander Manual 2008
Submitted by echo
Key strengths: Styling, upscale interior, ride quality
Areas for improvement: Vague steering, squishy handling, no 8-way adjustment for driver seat
The Land Rover LR2 shares a new 3.2-liter straight six engine with various Volvo models. In the small Land Rover it's good for 230 horsepower. The only transmission available is a manually-shiftable six-speed automatic. This powertrain provides adequate but less than thrilling acceleration, as it must contend with 4,255 pounds of mass. (For a compact SUV, the LR2 is heavy.) As in the Volvo XC90, at low speeds the engine feels a bit soft. I recall the six sounding better in the Volvo, perhaps courtesy of a less restrictive exhaust.
I've found the handling of other Land Rover models, even the "Sport," to be squishy and vague. Perhaps the relatively compact LR2 would deliver sportier handling? Well, no. The LR2's steering is vague, with little in the way of feedback, and its responses are slow and imprecise. Especially at speed, the body leans much more than in competitors from BMW and Acura. Reactions to quick steering inputs are far from confidence-inspiring, with much more "wobble" than I expect in a European vehicle. Perhaps the suspension must be soft for best compliance when off-roading, but if this is the case then the trick "terrain response system" needs to include adjustments to the shock absorbers.
My LR2 test drive did not include an off-road segment. The LR2 includes no transfer case with low range gearing, but Land Rover promises impressive off-road capability nonetheless. A "terrain response system" lets the driver adjust the traction, stability, ABS, and throttle controls for different types of terrain. The electronics include a downhill assist control, which automatically maintains a slow, steady pace down steep declines. The ground clearance, approach angle, and departure angle are up to the task. And skid plates have been fitted, though I cannot attest to their adequacy.
The flip side of the soft suspension is that ride quality is much more absorbent than in an Acura RDX or BMW X3. Relatively low noise levels also contribute to driver and
The running costs for Land-rover Freelander Manual are normal
Areas for improvement: Vague steering, squishy handling, no 8-way adjustment for driver seat
The Land Rover LR2 shares a new 3.2-liter straight six engine with various Volvo models. In the small Land Rover it's good for 230 horsepower. The only transmission available is a manually-shiftable six-speed automatic. This powertrain provides adequate but less than thrilling acceleration, as it must contend with 4,255 pounds of mass. (For a compact SUV, the LR2 is heavy.) As in the Volvo XC90, at low speeds the engine feels a bit soft. I recall the six sounding better in the Volvo, perhaps courtesy of a less restrictive exhaust.
I've found the handling of other Land Rover models, even the "Sport," to be squishy and vague. Perhaps the relatively compact LR2 would deliver sportier handling? Well, no. The LR2's steering is vague, with little in the way of feedback, and its responses are slow and imprecise. Especially at speed, the body leans much more than in competitors from BMW and Acura. Reactions to quick steering inputs are far from confidence-inspiring, with much more "wobble" than I expect in a European vehicle. Perhaps the suspension must be soft for best compliance when off-roading, but if this is the case then the trick "terrain response system" needs to include adjustments to the shock absorbers.
My LR2 test drive did not include an off-road segment. The LR2 includes no transfer case with low range gearing, but Land Rover promises impressive off-road capability nonetheless. A "terrain response system" lets the driver adjust the traction, stability, ABS, and throttle controls for different types of terrain. The electronics include a downhill assist control, which automatically maintains a slow, steady pace down steep declines. The ground clearance, approach angle, and departure angle are up to the task. And skid plates have been fitted, though I cannot attest to their adequacy.
The flip side of the soft suspension is that ride quality is much more absorbent than in an Acura RDX or BMW X3. Relatively low noise levels also contribute to driver and
The running costs for Land-rover Freelander Manual are normal
Safety: 79
Reliability: 74
Equipment: 75
Comfort: 73
Design: 81
Driving: 74
0 useful votes
Review Land-rover Freelander Automatic 2007
Submitted by shawn22
Key strengths: Handling
Areas for improvement: Gearbox....
While Land Rover put many cheap parts in the interior of this car, I love the way it handles and the drivers seat was so comfortable that I could make long rides without any discomfort. Prior to all this hassle with Land Rover's inability to address the problem, I loved my car and was planning to buy the Sport model next year. Now I will never buy another.
Gearbox shifting late and spontaneously down-shifting. Over three weeks later this dealership is frustrated with working on it and it is returned.
Same day it is returned, gearbox repeats same issues late at night in the middle of no where after returning the rental. Taken to third dealership. Just got the car back today and am afraid to drive it for fear of breaking down along the road with the kids.
I have less than 4 thousand miles on the warranty. The tow truck that dropped it off said the engine sounded horrible and he is right. No dealership will touch it for a trade in toward a reliable vehicle. I am still making payments. Customer service listened yet did nothing else.
The running costs for Land-rover Freelander Automatic are high
Areas for improvement: Gearbox....
While Land Rover put many cheap parts in the interior of this car, I love the way it handles and the drivers seat was so comfortable that I could make long rides without any discomfort. Prior to all this hassle with Land Rover's inability to address the problem, I loved my car and was planning to buy the Sport model next year. Now I will never buy another.
Gearbox shifting late and spontaneously down-shifting. Over three weeks later this dealership is frustrated with working on it and it is returned.
Same day it is returned, gearbox repeats same issues late at night in the middle of no where after returning the rental. Taken to third dealership. Just got the car back today and am afraid to drive it for fear of breaking down along the road with the kids.
I have less than 4 thousand miles on the warranty. The tow truck that dropped it off said the engine sounded horrible and he is right. No dealership will touch it for a trade in toward a reliable vehicle. I am still making payments. Customer service listened yet did nothing else.
The running costs for Land-rover Freelander Automatic are high
Safety: 68
Reliability: 24
Equipment: 22
Comfort: 71
Design: 60
Driving: 78
0 useful votes
Key strengths: Very solid, easy to park
Areas for improvement: Passenger door, brake dust
With a little over 49,000 miles on the Freelander it seems to be a very solid vehicle.
I feel that it drives and handles much better than any other SUV I have driven for my style of driving. With the 17" wheels it drives like a sports car, but goes of road like a truck and you can even park in a regular parking spot without taking up two spaces like most new SUV's today The HSE package is very nicely equipped, but a little overpriced compared to the SE. The 2006 is a much-improved vehicle from the inside out compared with the 2003 and earlier and at a much better price also.
No problems other than the passenger door squeaking when shut and a little excessive brake dust.
The running costs for Land-rover Freelander 2.5 Automatic are normal
Areas for improvement: Passenger door, brake dust
With a little over 49,000 miles on the Freelander it seems to be a very solid vehicle.
I feel that it drives and handles much better than any other SUV I have driven for my style of driving. With the 17" wheels it drives like a sports car, but goes of road like a truck and you can even park in a regular parking spot without taking up two spaces like most new SUV's today The HSE package is very nicely equipped, but a little overpriced compared to the SE. The 2006 is a much-improved vehicle from the inside out compared with the 2003 and earlier and at a much better price also.
No problems other than the passenger door squeaking when shut and a little excessive brake dust.
The running costs for Land-rover Freelander 2.5 Automatic are normal
Safety: 68
Reliability: 68
Equipment: 77
Comfort: 66
Design: 73
Driving: 73
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