Land Rover FREELANDER 1.8-LITRE RANGE
Quite how Land Rover has built up quite such an enviable reputation would make a very interesting MBA thesis. It has taken a product portfolio of very mixed talents in the face of some very credible rivals and turned a very decent profit. Why? Because the company has recognised the importance of their brand equity and nowhere is this more important than at the very foot of its line up. The latest Freelander 1.
8-litre models have a point to prove, namely that theres more to them than the right badge on the bonnet.
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She wouldnt want to arrive in the paddock looking too nouveau and he couldnt countenance anything Asian. It just wasnt done. As a result of this sort of blind brand loyalty, Id always had something of a chip on my shoulder about Land Rover products, imagining the company was breezing along complacently, knowing that they could charge premium prices for run of the mill products safe in the knowledge that the hordes of upwardly mobile middle classes would keep buying come what may. The Range Rovers unremitting excellence started to gnaw away at that particular prejudice and the latest Freelander has made me recognise the error of that judgement.
The 115bhp 1.8-litre petrol model we examine here represents the first step on the Land Rover ladder and its a car that is much improved over its predecessor. The engine remains largely the same, punting the Freelander to 60mph in 11.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 106mph.
Although it will average 27.3mpg, this powerplant doesnt possess too much in the way of torque and a heavily laden Freelander 1.8 will decimate that fuel consumption figure. Its CO2 figure of 248g/km is a full six bands higher than, say, the equivalent Honda CR-V which may well swing the balance for many company car drivers.
The K-series engine may work very well in a Lotus Elise but its not ideal when plumbed into a Freelander.
"The latest Freelander represents the first step on the Land Rover ladder and its a car that is much improved over its predecessor"
The engines underwhelming showing is put into sharper relief by the improvements made elsewhere. The interior is thoroughly reworked (by far the old cars weakest link) and a major external restyle has included a fresh face and tail. Indeed, Land Rover chiefs are so confident of the Freelanders quality look and feel that they see the car as pioneer in a whole new market niche "the compact premium 4x4 sector". You could never have made such a claim for the old Freelander, a car with a cabin that never really lived up to the premium billing. With plasticky switchgear and an awkward, dated design to the fascia, it was outclassed by the latest offerings from South Korea. As a result, the Land Rover design team paid particular attention to the interior when it came to the latest round of improvements.
Premium car buyers expect premium cabins, and most should be favourably impressed with that of the latest Freelander. There are classier-looking instruments and better quality switchgear, with plusher materials used throughout, so it feels a quantum leap forward. The seats offer better body and under-thigh comfort and theres a range of superior fabrics to choose from for both upholstery and cabin trims. Few customers had any cause for complaint regarding the Freelanders exterior styling, but it has been given a makeover that brings it into line with current Land Rover group design thinking.
The usual targets for restyling - namely front bumper, headlights and grille - are all replaced with a Range Rover look, the lights in particular claiming to boost intensity by some 70%. The bumpers are also body coloured front and rear. The tail lamps have been raised to a higher position, thus improving their visibility and reducing the likelihood of being obscured in road grime or off-trail dust. Hill Descent Control (HDC) is fitted to all Freelanders and is a clever piece of kit.
On a sticky, steep descent, when you engage HDC, the system selects first gear and uses the anti-lock brakes to automatically maintain a descent speed of 5.6mph. Should the track get slippery or become more undulating, this will reduce to 4.4mph.
The ABS system is complemented by EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and Electronic Traction Control (ETC) is standard to limit wheelslip in conditions such as mud and snow. The engine choices remain exactly as before and theres a choice of three-door or five-door bodystyles. Meanwhile, this cars status as the most capable compact 4x4 you can buy hasnt altered very much: if you plan to go seriously off road - even very occasionally its simply not worth even bothering with anything else in this sector. At one time, you paid heavily for that privilege but under new Ford ownership, Land Rover has woken up to a changing market and realigned its prices. The three-door model is available in E, S, and SE trims, while the five-door version is offered in these three trims plus a luxurious HSE range topper priced at £22,995. There are also high specification Freelander models called Freestyle and Adventurer that are worth considering.
The Freelander 1.8 is a frustrating thing. If you want Land Rover ownership at the lowest possible price, go right ahead. No amount of objectivity will sway your decision.
On an objective basis the Freelander 1.8 lags quite a way behind the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail by dint of its unsuitable engine. The answer to this quandary is clear. If buying Japanese is beyond the pale, you need to trade up to either the Freelander 2.
0-litre Td4 diesel or the 2.5-litre V6 petrol, both of which have a good deal going for them. As a strategy for upselling, the Freelander 1.8-litre range may well be touched by genius.
As a car in its own right, its not enough.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Land Rover Freelander 1.8 range
PRICES: £15,995 - £22,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 248g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 106mph / 0-60mph 11.6s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 20.8mpg / (extra urban) 33.3mpg / (combined) 27.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4447/2074/1828 [est]
